Monthly Archives: April 2018

Chapelton is now home to a community of over 250 people. However, for those who are new to the town, here are some helpful answers to your frequently asked questions about Chapelton.

How do I find Chapelton? 

Chapelton is located between Portlethen and Newtonhill, just five miles south of Aberdeen. When travelling from Aberdeen, take the A90 exit for Newtonhill and follow signs for Chapelton which will take you towards the right, over the flyover. You come to the new roundabout and it is straight on to Chapelton where you will see the signs at the entrance to the town.

Who lives there and can I visit if I’m not a resident?

Chapelton is home to a mix of people of all ages. Everyone is welcome to live, work and play in Chapelton. There is a great programme of events listed on the website and everyone is invited to join in.

What is there in the town for me to enjoy?

Visitors to Chapelton can enjoy the town’s tearoom, Teacake, plenty of green space which is perfect for picnics, the Chapelton Trail, a walking route which offers a number of easy, low level, local walks and a hair and beauty salon The Lounge, for those looking for a spot of pampering.

Is the town suitable for all ages?

There’s something for everyone in Chapelton. From the town’s successful nursery school to the Liberty Chapelton retirement village, everyone in Chapelton has a place.

Are there different styles of properties?

The four housebuilders in Chapelton offer a range of properties from single-storey cottages and detached homes to flats and terraced houses. As the town progresses there will be additional property options including affordable and rental homes. The homes are refreshingly different from other recent developments and their distinctive style and design has brought a lot of interest from visitors and experts.

Evenings are getting brighter, flowers have begun to bloom and birds can be heard chirping in the trees, which are finally in bud. All sure signs that spring is here and summer is just around the corner.

Chapelton is the ideal base to begin your very own outdoor adventure and make the most of the seasons with this list of things to do and see in and around the town.

Green Spaces

Chapelton boasts a variety of green spaces scattered throughout the development. Hume Square is home to the base for the Chapelton Trail as well as being the focal point of many community events.

Large informal green parks are situated towards the edge of the town offering plenty of options to get outdoors during the warmer seasons.

Explore the Chapelton Trail

As the first of several planned footpaths to be realised in Chapelton, this popular walk starts and ends at Hume Square. It takes in many local landmarks, including the picturesque Dubbis Stile, Elsick Burn and Causey Mounth, along its 2.4 mile length

Walkers should allow approximately one hour to complete the walk. Whilst ambling around the trail you will enjoy the area’s diverse array of tree species and the grandeur of the imposing beech hedge on the East Drive.

Geocaching

Best described as high-tech treasure hunting, geocaching is available to Chapelton residents and visitors thanks to housebuilder ZeroC.  Participants, known as Geocachers, use coordinates on their GPS devices to hide and seek a waterproof container. Once the geocache has been discovered, players hide the container for future players to discover.

It’s a great family activity involving walking and problem solving, getting you out and about to explore the beautiful scenery in and around the town.

The geocache will soon be stashed in a top secret location within the town for eager explorers to find. Be sure to check the Chapelton Facebook and Instagram pages to find out when the Chapelton Geocache goes live.

At Home

Where better to enjoy spring’s offerings than from your very own Chapelton home. Take inspiration from the surrounding area and give your house kerb appeal by treating your garden to a makeover. When planting outdoors, finding the best flora to withstand the Scottish weather is key.

Why not head to Kirktown Garden Centre to stock up on a colourful mix of annuals and perennials to make your garden the talk of the town for all the right reasons.

And whilst spring has arrived, Aberdeenshire’s unpredictable weather can still bring icy showers, and weeding a patio on a rainy Sunday morning is far from enjoyable. Instead of gazing longingly at the gloomy Scottish weather outside, bring the outdoors in and freshen up your home with the colours and aromas of spring. Transform your bathroom into a tropical rainforest or simply compile a mini herb garden on a windowsill. Add life to an otherwise plain spot so you can enjoy spring even on the wettest of days.

Events

With planned events taking place in Chapelton regularly, there is always something to look forward to across the spring and summer months. For instance, both adults and children alike can join the Walking with Wildlife on May 20^th.

Children under 12 can embark on the Minibeast Scavenger Hunt from 11.00 – 12.30 at the new woodland planting Nether Cairnhill. Within the Chapelton community children will have the opportunity to scavenge for mini beasts in the long grass, gorse bushes and dry stone dyke. Where better to discover the smaller residents of the community at Chapelton?

Adults can enjoy a Wildlife Wander from 1.30 – 3.30, setting off from the Causey Mounth at the entrance to Chapelton. Relax listen to the birds and take a closer look at nature on this gentle stroll. Hopefully, participants will see skylarks and other birds in the fields as well as bumblebees on the rhododendrons, as well as a variety of different tree species.

Email Carol Leslie: CCIC_Admin@chapeltonlife.co.uk to register your place.

Take it all in at Teacake

Providing delicious treats all year rounds, Teacake’s outdoor seating with views across Hume Square is the perfect location to appreciate spring in Chapelton. The Teacake team updates its menu seasonally to offer daily-prepared fresh treats with ingredients sourced from local suppliers.

Teacake boasts much more than just coffee and cake, it is very much the hub of the Chapelton community. The welcoming cafe/bistro is now available for small private functions. For all enquiries call 07841917150 or visit their Facebook page.

Admire the coastline of Stonehaven Beach

The pretty coastal town of neighbouring Stonehaven is popular all year round due to its rugged coastline and array of local shops and eateries. The beach itself is just over one kilometre in length, and enjoys a popular boardwalk for walkers, joggers and pet owners to enjoy. Here you can see the River Carron’s majestic confluence with the North Sea, and take in the jagged cliffs which make up this historic part of Kincardineshire.

The walk along the beach is best enjoyed by heading north. Once you’ve completed the walk, you’ll come across The Bay – a multi award-winning fish and chip shop or Aunty Bettys next door if a coffee and a sweet treat is more your thing.

Dominic Fairlie has been involved with development of Chapelton since 2013 and is currently Director of Scottish Operations for housebuilder ZeroC. Here, Dominic tells us more about his work with the town.

Tell us about your involvement with Chapelton and what your role brings to the town 

I have been involved with the development at Chapelton since 2013.  In my position as Director of Scottish Operations, I have had an active role in all of the work carried out by ZeroC over the years in Chapelton, and this includes building the ZeroC team.  Recently I have taken on the additional task of managing the new custom build offering in the town, which is called designyourhome.com.

What do you find most exciting about your job?

It is exciting to see how Chapelton progresses. The design of Chapelton is unique for new developments anywhere, and just being involved in it is fascinating and extremely satisfying.

You mentioned that your role focuses on developing custom build in Chapelton? If you were to build your own home, what would it feature?

My wife and I enjoy living in a way that the kitchen, dining area and living room are one single space, so having the ability to choose that is important.  We also like a feeling of the rooms being light and airy, so good window proportions with high ceilings are also a must.

Is there a particular element of the town you are looking forward to seeing develop?

The first neighbourhood centre at Cairnhill will be interesting.  Work is progressing in that direction now, and we should see an increasing density of development, meaning more terraces, flats and commercial properties. Chapelton will not just be a load of detached houses, it will be so different to so much recent new development elsewhere.

What three words do you think best describe Chapelton?

Sustainable, interesting and walkable.

Brio Retirement Living is set to launch previews of its new showhome properties at its Chapelton retirement village.

Limited spaces are available now for the exclusive showhome preview events in May. To register your interest today, call the Brio sales team on 01224 946711 and you will receive your VIP invite to the Brio showhome tours.

This will be the first chance to step foot into two of the 22 types of homes that are available to purchase now – the beautiful one-bedroom Campbell Cottage and the charming two-bedroom Fraser Cottage. There’s no better way to get a feel for these new homes than walking around them, experiencing the bright, airy rooms and the stunning contemporary design.

The cottages will be set amongst beautifully maintained landscapes and will be just a stone’s throw away from the village’s community hub, fitness suite and Slate & Grain brasserie and bar. Personalised 24/7 care and support in homes will also be available if and when needed.

Spaces are limited for these events. To register, call Brio Retirement Living on 01224 946711.