St Serf's Care Home

Westwood, as it was known when privately owned, was built in the 1860s for Harry Walker. It was designed by noted architect Andrew Heiton, and was a comfortable family mansion of some 16 rooms. His family business was Harry Walker and Sons, jute spinners in Dundee, based in the Caldrum Works, which would eventually become the second largest jute factory in Dundee.

Harry Walker

Harry Walker was one of Newport’s high profile residents. He was a Justice of the Peace, he served on the School Board, was an elder of St Fillan’s Church, Chairman of the local Liberal Association, Chairman of the Gas Board, a Director of the Newport Railway, on the Executive Committee of the Mars Training Ship, an original Trustee of the Blyth Hall and Convenor of the Tay Ferries Committee. In addition, he was an office-bearer or patron of the Newport Golf Club, Cricket Club, Bowling Club, Curling Club, Musical Association and Horticultural Association!

St Serf’s the Care Home

After his death in 1889, Westwood passed to Harry’s son James. From 1915 the house was occupied by John Campbell Low, another jute and linen employer in Dundee. His son, also John Campbell Low (of Low and Bonar), inherited the house on his father’s death in 1943. He generously gave the house to the Scottish Episcopal Church to be used as a care home and it became St Serf’s in 1946.
Over the last 70-plus years the property has been much extended, as can be seen in the third photograph. St Serf’s no longer belongs to the Episcopal Church but is now part of a small chain of privately owned care homes.