Monthly Archives: September 2022

If you’re looking for a caffeine boost, a relaxing space to catch up with a friend or a quick stop for high-quality coffee on the go, then the selection of cafes and shops in Chapelton has you covered. 

Want to find out more? In this blog post, we’ve shared more about the town’s top spots to get your favourite beverage…

Brae at Chapelton 

Having recently opened in July 2022, Brae is one of the many thriving local businesses in Chapelton. Situated in the heart of the town in Hume Square, it was founded by passionate brother and sister duo, Dale and Jodie Barbour and has already been described as vibrant, welcoming and community focused. 

It offers a selection of hot and cold beverages, many of which are sourced from local and national businesses including Figment Coffee, Harth Chocolate and Teadrop UK. Alongside the variety of refreshing drinks, Brae also serves freshly prepared food and mouth-watering home bakes, perfect for lunch or an afternoon treat. 

Taking inspiration from its coastal location, the aesthetic decor isn’t the only thing to admire at Brae, which also has a small selection of lifestyle goods available for customers to purchase including prints, books, ceramics and more. 

Catering for all members of the community, including pets, Brae also has a serving hatch at the side of the building, allowing busy dog walkers to get their hands on some tasty treats for both themselves and their four-legged friends. 

Wander & Graze The Deli

Located at The Boxes at Chapelton, Wander & Graze The Deli serves hot drinks alongside daily lunch specials, high-quality grocery products, fresh produce and more! Specialising in creating beautiful cheese and charcuterie platters suited for all occasions, it takes pride in its selection of delicious cheeses and cured meats. 

With wooden tables set up outside The Boxes, shoppers can choose to enjoy their favourite beverage alfresco or take it to-go while wandering the town’s charming streets. For those who want to bring barista quality coffee into the comfort of their own home, then Wander & Graze also sells ‘Easy E’s’ fair trade coffee beans from Red Robin Records, a local Aberdeen-based business. 

It also offers a plethora of tasty goodies to purchase in store including items such as dried pasta, breadsticks, flatbreads and beans – most of which are sourced from small businesses.

Fit’s the Scoop?

Looking to support local and enjoy a sweet treat alongside your favourite coffee? Check out Fit’s the Scoop? at The Boxes at Chapelton. 

Specialising in high quality, locally made ice cream, Fit’s the Scoop? also offers a variety of teas, coffee and hot chocolates too. Bringing a taste of Italy to Chapelton, the Italian blend coffee is perfect for those who like dark roasts and intense flavour. Whether you’re looking to grab a hot drink on a walk to keep you warm, or a cold brew and ice cream during the sunnier days to cool you down, it has options for the whole family. 

For those looking to sit and relax at The Boxes outdoor seating area, Fit’s the Scoop? also offers a selection of savoury items that will go perfectly with your drink of choice, allowing you to properly refuel before you go about your day.  

Slate & Grain, Brasserie and Bar  

For a more leisurely morning or afternoon, why not drop by Slate & Grain Brassiere & Bar. 

Developed exclusively for Brio Retirement Living communities, it can be found at Landale Court in Chapelton and has proved popular with those looking to enjoy a beverage with family and friends. 

Designed to have a contemporary feel that oozes a relaxing atmosphere, customers can enjoy fresh coffees made from americanos to lattes, as well as indulge in freshly cooked food made with seasonal ingredients. 

The coffee served at Slate & Grain is made from Grand Cafés 100% Rainforest Alliance beans which work alongside coffee farmers to provide them with responsible markets and training on sustainable growing practices. 

With quality at its core, Slate & Grain provides a comfortable environment suitable for those looking to break up their day or enjoy a more sociable get-together. 

To find out more about the fantastic local businesses located in Chapelton, click here.

Outdoor play is a huge part of childhood, it’s a chance for youngsters to engage with family and friends and learn vital skills without even realising. In fact,  spending time outside has actually been directly linked to physical, social and emotional growth. 

In Chapelton, we wanted to create a space that offers children the chance to connect with the natural world and reap the benefits it has to offer, so earlier this year, we unveiled Patey Park, a unique playground for youngsters to experience endless moments of creativity and imagination.

What is Patey Park? 

Chapelton’s Patey Park is on the top of Cairnhill in the heart of the town. It features a vast range of natural elements that have been designed to encourage imaginative play and is perfect for skill development due to its layout. 

Ideal for keen adventurers, the park is challenging, motivating children to explore the grounds and find out more about nature. 

What are the main benefits of outdoor play? 

The Scottish Government states that outdoor play “improves physical health” as well as “promotes mental, social and emotional well-being by helping to reduce stress”. 

Additionally, it advises that this activity boosts “the development of essential social skills” thanks to meeting new people and having conversations with peers. 

We caught up with Early Years Senior Practitioner at Newtonhill Primary, Jane Wallis to find out more. She said: “One of the key strands of the curriculum of excellence is confident individuals and playing in an outdoor setting will encourage self-assurance in children. 

“It also promotes creativity and imagination, with natural play also supporting the development of motor and sensory skills as children run and climb on different surface levels of terrain.”

How does Patey Park encourage children to develop these skills? 

The park’s landscape has been strategically crafted to inspire thinking and exploration. 

Spread over a vast area, young adventurers can explore a series of winding paths, journey over mounds and slopes, rocks and boulders, logs, tree stumps, and balance beams and at the same time, will be developing their motor and sensory abilities.  

Throughout the park, there are bases with flags for group games and nature areas where kids can take a break from playing and sit with their friends, both of which contribute to teamwork and communication skills. 

Why is outdoor play important? 

Jane explained: “Outdoor play is so different from indoor play and provides opportunities for children to develop different skills and areas of their personalities.

“Natural play holistically supports the development of a young person by connecting mind, body and soul. 

“By exploring natural environments, children develop many valuable skills including decision making, problem solving and risk assessing to name a few. Once developed, skills like these will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

“I am sure that the children who come to play in Patey Park will use the creative opportunities that it has to offer and these adventures will become fond childhood memories that they reflect on later in life.”

Where is Patey Park? 

Firstly, navigate to The Hut on Liddell Place in Chapelton using the postcode AB39 8BA. Once you arrive here, continue up Liddell Place, passing Landale Court (Brio Retirement Living) on the left and new construction on the right. Now follow the fenced pathway through the construction site and a temporary pedestrian crossing for your safety. 

Please note that the ground here can be rough underfoot so please take care. Continue up the ramp to the top of the hill where you will find Patey Park.

Come and play, adventure awaits! 

Read more about the benefits of outdoor play on the Scottish Government website.