Oil had been
discovered below the North Sea in 1965. This was quickly
reflected in rising rents and house prices in Aberdeen.
Car ownership was almost universal and commuting from
country districts to work or study in Aberdeen was now
a viable option for many people.
In Collieston this was at first reflected by students taking
advantage of cheap nine month “winter lets”
of holiday homes and later when they graduated of relatively
cheap house prices. This combined with an idyllic location
attracted a number of new comers from all over the world
to the village. Collieston’s last resident Church
of Scotland minister retired in 1972 and both the Manse
and Glebe were sold as private houses. As the oil industry
boomed so too did property prices. Collieston it seemed
had become
a desirable place to stay.
|
