Auchenblae, Aboyne, Alford, Banchory, Kildrummy, Newtonhill, Newmachar and Torphins are all in line for high-speed fibre broadband, with the first premises expected to benefit during Spring 2015.

The announcement was made by First Minister Elect Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “The scale of the challenge of delivering fibre broadband across our communities in Scotland shouldn’t be underestimated but engineers are working hard and making good progress. It’s fantastic to see the project extending into places like Newmachar, which will benefit greatly from the economic advantages fibre broadband brings. 
 
“It’s a fundamental part of the Scottish Government’s aim to deliver world class connectivity by 2020, enabling people across Scotland to connect any time, any place, anywhere using any device.”
 

Newtonhill councillor Ian Mollison commented: “I am delighted. People served by the Newtonhill exchange will be very pleased to learn they will be able to benefit from a top quality service from this spring. These days it is an essential part of modern living, both from a business and a personal point of view. Great news. Hopefully other areas will follow along quickly.”