Monthly Archives: October 2022

Meet Snowdrop’s Sales Advisor, Helen Leask

Snowdrop Developments began construction in Chapelton in November 2020. Its first phase is a series of 16 luxury bespoke properties along the outskirts of the town and the second phase, which comprises 5 large plots with designs inspired by steadings, is currently underway at Brooke Lane North.

Helen Leask is Snowdrop’s Sales Advisor and is based at the award-winning showhome on Greenlaw Road.  In this blog we get to know Helen and find out more about what makes her passionate about working for Snowdrop Developments within Chapelton.

Untitled-design-1-1024x737 Meet Snowdrop’s Sales Advisor, Helen Leask

Hi Helen and welcome to Chapelton! 

“Hello to everyone in Chapelton that I have already met and to those I will hopefully have the pleasure of meeting at some point, if or when they come to visit the beautiful Snowdrop Developments’ showhome!” 

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

“I am originally from the Shetland Islands so I shall blame that on me being a chatterbox! I love meeting others and having a good old chinwag with people from varying walks of life and places. 

“I think building and construction runs through my veins as my amazing parents had their own building company; I was weaned on bricks and mortar! My Dad is a master craftsman in a few different fields, even making the most beautiful musical instruments, so expectation and perfection of a finished product was a very big priority – Snowdrop fits that bill.

“I studied interior design at college many moons ago and while I was bringing up my family, although I had many different types of work, I would always come alive and get excited when working with anything to do with property. Whether that’s structural renovation, building, interior design or decorating and soft furnishings, that makes me happy! I love when clients come in to look at choices for their new home and I’m delighted if I can help as I feel so excited for them.

“It’s very encouraging that there is a home in Chapelton that’s suitable for everyone, even if we always hope they will choose a Snowdrop home.” 

What can people expect when they visit the Snowdrop showhome?

“I am so proud to welcome people into the showhome and answer their questions about Snowdrop homes. The particular house style of the showhome is called the MacAllan and has just been voted ‘Best Large Family Home in Scotland’ by the Scottish Herald, an award that the Snowdrop team is so very proud of.

“The beautiful furnishings in the showhome are by Annie Mo’s of Aberdeen. Anyone who would like to just view the furnishings is more than welcome and also receives a voucher which can be used for 15% discount at Annie Mo’s.

“I’m very excited that we will be hosting Annie Mo’s Christmas Fair at the showhome on the weekend of 11th November, everyone is welcome.” 

Snowdrop-showhome-4-1024x770 Meet Snowdrop’s Sales Advisor, Helen Leask

What makes a Snowdrop Developments’ home unique?

“We are different from most builders as we only commence the build once the plot has been chosen by the client. This gives the client the chance to make their home bespoke and tailored to suit their individual needs. Once all this has been established, the timescale for the build is normally six to eight months. Each property is finished to a very high standard and our ‘standard finish’ is of upgraded quality.”

Snowdrop-Showhome-2-1024x770 Meet Snowdrop’s Sales Advisor, Helen Leask

What do you like most about working in Chapelton?

“I am so blown away with what a lovely place this is. Chapelton has such a vibrant, warm and upbeat feeling, it is no wonder everyone I have asked loves living here.

“Passing this on to any new clients gives me a great feeling. There are so many varied activities and events that take place here in Chapelton and it’s great to talk to people about the Farmers’ Markets, Scarecrow Festival, the Chapelton 10k, the Bike Ride and so on, as well as the many different walking areas, cafes, and the unique shopping area at The Boxes at Chapelton.

“I am so looking forward to meeting more Chapelton residents and new clients, I just love to tell people all about these beautiful Snowdrop homes.”

What do you do in your spare time?

“This is a great place for activities, even the local yoga instructor has been in to say hello. I have tried yoga but my hobbies are mainly walking, cycling and swimming. However, just now I have been doing projects for people including upholstery, soft furnishing, up-cycling & decorating, which I love, especially if it’s something a bit different.

“My favourite thing is spending time with my family and grandkids – being silly, playing with them and letting my overactive imagination run wild!” 

Snowdrop-Showhome-7 Meet Snowdrop’s Sales Advisor, Helen Leask


For more information on Snowdrop Developments and the MacAllan showhome, visit its website.

Your guide to living south of the city | Houses for sale Stonehaven

image2-1024x575 Your guide to living south of the city | Houses for sale Stonehaven

Nestled on the North-east coast is a variety of beautiful towns and villages all within a short distance of Aberdeen City including Chapelton, Stonehaven, Newtonhill, Findon and Portlethen. Offering the peace and tranquillity of coastal living with easy access to the city centre – living south of Aberdeen offers residents the best of both worlds. 

With endless local amenities, picturesque outdoor trails, ample activities and fantastic schooling options, Chapelton is one of the many towns that presents a high-quality way of life. In this blog post, we’ve created a brief guide on what the south of Aberdeen has to offer alongside why it’s considered such a desirable place to live…

image1-1024x768 Your guide to living south of the city | Houses for sale Stonehaven
Photo credit: Connor Mollison via Unsplash

Activities and attractions

Recognised for its rolling countryside and rugged coastline, the north-east of Scotland is filled with incredible landscapes. Whether you’re an avid mountain biker or enjoy a gentle weekend stroll, the great outdoors is definitely one of the selling points of living in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. 

Some of the most popular walking routes and trails scattered across the south of the city include Stonehaven beach, Dunnottar woods, Stonehaven harbour, the Stonehaven to Portlethen Coastal route and the Chapelton Trail. Varying in length and terrain, there are plenty of options to choose from – suitable for all abilities. 

When it comes to superb historic attractions, Aberdeen is filled with noble castles and ancient monuments. Flocking from near and afar, Dunnottar Castle is one of Aberdeen’s most popular attractions and is located on the edge of Stonehaven. It’s unbelievable positioning and impressive history make it a must-see for those living or visiting the area.

If you’re looking for a fun-filled family activity, the Farm Stop in Portlethen is purpose-built for visitors to interact with the local farm animals including sheep, cows and pigs – the perfect place to teach your little ones about farm life. It’s not just your little ones that can reap the benefits of living south of Aberdeen as there is also a nearby dog park allowing your four-legged friends to play safely. 

image3-1024x1024 Your guide to living south of the city | Houses for sale Stonehaven
Photo credit: Brae_chapelton via Instagram

Food and Drink 

Grab yourself a fresh cup of coffee and indulge in a delicious home bake from one of the many coffee shops available in the local area including Brae, Molly’s Cafe Bar and Skateraw Store. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a spot of lunch or an evening meal there are plenty of mouth-watering dining options, from tasty pub grub at The Ship Inn and The Newton Arms to fine cuisine at The Marine Hotel and The Stack Restaurant and Bar.

When it comes to delicious seafood, the North-east coast is definitely the place to be! With a passion for serving local and sustainably sourced produce, The Bay Fish and Chips is an award-winning fish and chip shop situated on Stonehaven beachfront. Additionally, The Tolbooth Seafood Restaurant is located in one of Stonehaven’s oldest buildings and serves some of the finest local seafood caught right on its doorstep. 

Schooling options 

Whether you’re a couple looking to set roots in a new town or a growing family wanting somewhere that has ample school options, there are multiple towns south of the city that contain reputable schools.

For those with little ones who are due to take their first steps into the world of education, there are lots of nurseries spread across the south. The Croft Nurseries has two premises located in both Stonehaven and Chapelton, while the nearby town of Portlethen also has the Great Western Pre-school. 

You are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the perfect primary school with multiple schools dotted about including Newtonhill Primary School, Portlethen Primary School, Dunnottar Primary School and Catterline Primary School. Alongside this, there are two nearby secondary schools; Mackie Academy and Portlethen Academy.

Transport links

The south of Aberdeen is filled with a number of reliable transport links including Portlethen and Stonehaven Railway station which gives locals direct access to Aberdeen city centre, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aviemore and more – offering plenty of opportunities to explore Scotland’s bustling cities and breathtaking landscape. 

In addition to the railway station, there are lots of popular bus services that run between various towns outwith the city such as the X7 coastrider which travels to Aberdeen, Stonehaven and beyond. The A90 bus service is ideal for visitors and residents of Chapelton and Newtonhill as it stops at the nearby Park and Choose Facility.  

For those travelling by road, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is one of the major transport routes that connects the south of the city to the north. Stretching for 36 miles, the road goes all the way from Stonehaven to Blackdog helping to reduce congestion and improve accessibility. 

Aberdeen airport is also only a short distance from Chapelton, making it very accessible for those travelling within the UK or abroad. 

Looking to make your move to Chapelton?

Browse our homes for sale near Stonehaven

Guest blog post: Meet LouSells

Lousells, The Mini Edition is one of the most recent local businesses to join The Boxes at Chapelton. With a passion for recycling and reusing clothes, this boutique offers preloved childrenswear and footwear plus a selection of new wooden toys, books and gifts. 

To find out more about the business we caught up with the owner, Louise McIntosh…

LouSells-July-2022-2-1024x683 Guest blog post: Meet LouSells

Tell us a bit about your background/family and how you started the business?

“I’m Louise, I live in Newtonhill with my husband, three children, our dog Calvin and our bunnies Cheddar & Nibbles. After having my youngest and leaving my job in HR, we desperately needed a clear out of all things that no longer fit or weren’t used any more that the five of us had accumulated. Hating the thought of anything going to landfill that still had life in it but knowing that despite donating lots there were items that I felt were worth selling so our family could get the use of something new to them with the funds raised by selling. 

“After realising that others were in the same position and lots of plotting and planning, the Facebook group was started and shared with close friends. It gave details on how the process would work and the sorts of things we would try to sell on your behalf. We had everything from glassware & golf clubs to jewellery & clothes. For the first year or two we sold locally on Facebook and through eBay and the page grew steadily. The corner in the spare room that I used became the entire spare room and the bed and furniture moved out to create a work and storage space. Towards the end of 2017 I made the decision to focus on fashion.”

How do you relax? What do you do in your spare time?

“Any business owner will appreciate that time to relax is few and far between but luckily I really love what I do so I thrive on the busyness of it. When I do switch off I enjoy hanging out with my family, socialising with friends & family, going for walks and exploring local areas we don’t visit day to day. During lockdown one of my best memories was taking the kids out and playing ‘This way or that way’ and we would let them take turns choosing which way we would go. Made the daily walk much more interesting.”

LouSells-July-2022-1 Guest blog post: Meet LouSells

What do you enjoy most about your job?

“The people! Without a doubt the people that I get to meet daily. Some days in the shop it is like an episode of Loose Women with lots of chatter about life, fashion and issues us women deal with daily. Seeing someone get that perfect outfit for an occasion when they couldn’t find anything on the high street and had exhausted all the online brands they knew of. We stock such a vast array of brands that you get the chance to try on something you likely didn’t know existed and often it was just what you were looking for.”

How did you discover The Boxes at Chapelton?

“We are lucky to live within walking distance and I’ve had a keen eye on Chapelton since planning was put in place. I had been keeping in touch with the team about progress over the years and had hoped one day that a space just right for LouSells would come up. The Boxes are exceptionally deceiving and what looks like a relatively small space can easily be turned to suit a variety of business requirements. When we got the call to say that one was coming available, we jumped at the chance to see how we could make it work.”

What do you like most about Chapelton and why?

“Without sounding like a wannabe twenty something, The Vibe! Chapelton has such a great feel, contemporary but classic. Since joining the boxes it has opened my eyes to just how supportive other businesses are of each other. These last few years have been hard on small businesses so it is great to have that business community behind you as well as customer support. We love being a part of Chapelton Life.”

Find LouSells on Facebook and Instagram or get in touch via email at Lou_sells@outlook.com

Switching city life to countryside living: A catch up with residents, Julie and Cameron

Residents: Julie and Cameron Hughes

After living in a flat in the heart of Aberdeen’s West End for over six years, Julie and Cameron switched city living for the countryside as they moved into their brand new AJC Home in Chapelton, during November 2021. 

Julie has watched Chapelton grow from the beginning, having worked in media and marketing for the town until recently. From the very early stages of initial ideas and drawings to watching the first residents move in, Julie played a key role in the Chapelton journey and has now decided to call it home.

table Switching city life to countryside living: A catch up with residents, Julie and Cameron

Life in Chapelton

Why did you choose to live in Chapelton? What stood out to you most about the location?

“I have always loved country living, however, Cameron wasn’t quite ready to leave the city and Chapelton offered us the best of both worlds.

“There’s just something different about Chapelton. We’ve always loved older period homes and have never been drawn to new build houses, but Chapelton offers a bit of everything. We love that it’s only a 10-minute drive from the city, has plenty of character and gives us the benefits of modern living.”

lamp Switching city life to countryside living: A catch up with residents, Julie and Cameron

What do you love most about living in Chapelton? 

“We love that we can still walk to a coffee shop but also wake up and see the countryside everyday. We’re lucky that our garden is right at the edge of the town so our bedroom looks out onto plenty of fields, where there is an abundance of cows and sheep and also often rabbits and deer. 

“Being part of the local community is important to us and Chapelton has a great sense of community spirit – there is always something going on.”

bed Switching city life to countryside living: A catch up with residents, Julie and Cameron

Do you see yourself living in Chapelton long term? 

“Yes! Our home is perfect for us right now and probably for the next 5-10 years. We often talk about a move within Chapelton at some stage.”

What would you say to someone who is considering buying a home in Chapelton? 

“You need to come here and spend a bit of time to see all of the benefits. A visit to a showhome is great but attending a farmers’ market, walking the Chapelton Trail or visiting one of the local businesses brings everything to life.”


Our Home in Chapelton

Did you know what you were looking for in a home? 

“Yes, we’d been looking for a house for around a year. We swithered between many but Chapelton just made the most sense to us.”

door Switching city life to countryside living: A catch up with residents, Julie and Cameron

Which features of your home attracted you the most? 

“We’ve always admired AJC Homes properties – we love the traditional details included throughout their homes such as the high ceilings, coving and traditional wooden doors. All of these impressive small details make their homes beautiful and unique, something you can’t find in standard new builds.”

hob Switching city life to countryside living: A catch up with residents, Julie and Cameron

Do you have a favourite room in your home and why? 

“At the moment our kitchen – it’s the room we focused on first and poured the most love into. We’re currently decorating one room at a time which means some of the house is still empty, but given the kitchen/living area is where we spend the most time we thought it made sense to focus on this room first. It’s such a social space and the blue range cooker that we added is an absolute favourite.”

What made you choose AJC Homes housebuilders? 

“AJC Homes encompass the perfect balance between having traditional architectural features while still maintaining all the benefits that come with a new build home.” 

Looking to be part of the Chapelton community and find your dream home? Browse our new homes for sale.  or check out our ultimate guide to housebuilders in Aberdeen.