As we reluctantly say goodbye to warm summer days and light evenings, we welcome the cool crisp air of autumn and the orangey, brown leaves and the need for blankets, scarves and hot chocolates.
Another great way to keep warm during the cooler months is with a nice hearty soup, so we have teamed up with Teacake to bring you this recipe for delicious Cullen Skink soup, served with warm smoked cheddar cheese and mustard scones. Try the recipe below for yourself to enjoy this rich, warming treat.
For the Cullen Skink Soup You Will Need:
500g pale smoked haddock boned & skinned
1 large potato peeled and diced
1 medium onion peeled & finely diced
1 large leek washed and halved then sliced
100g chopped flat leaf parsley
400ml milk
400ml double cream
200ml of fresh chicken or smoked fish stock
Salt & pepper
Method:
Heat a pan with some oil and sweat off all of the vegetables until they are lightly coloured. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the smoked haddock to the same pan and add the cream, milk and stock. Simmer on a medium heat until the potatoes are almost soft.
Add the chopped parsley and stir the soup until the fish has broken up. Season to taste, and if desired, add more stock/cream to reduce thickness.
For the Cheese and Mustard Scones You Will Need:
455g plain flour
113g butter/margarine
1 egg
100g grated smoked cheddar cheese (use majority in mix but save some to sprinkle on the scones at the end of baking)
Pinch of salt and pepper
Splash of milk
1 Teaspoon of grain mustard
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
In a food processor add the flour, cheese, butter, mustard, salt and pepper and mix until the ingredients resemble bread crumbs.
Add the egg and mix through, and pour in milk a little at a time until the mixture binds together.
Knead the dough on a floured surface and lightly roll out.
Cut the scones into the desired size and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Bake scones for 21 minutes until risen and lightly golden.
Serve your scones warm with the soup as a delicious, warming lunch.
On 2nd of September, 225 cyclists set off on this year’s annual Chapelton Bike Ride. Taking on both the 42 mile journey and the shorter 12 mile journey, the cyclists raced through Chapelton and Durris Forest while spectators cheered them on from the sidelines.
Alongside the race, 70 walkers took part in a family friendly five kilometre Trail Walk, letting those looking for a less strenuous challenge enjoy walking through the grounds of nearby Elsick House.
We had a fantastic day with live music, inflatables and delicious food, all while raising £8,000 for local charity North Easy Sensory Services.
A huge thank you to all that got involved, be that cycling, those helping out on the day or our sponsors Burness Paull and Brio Retirement Living. Take a look at the pictures from the day:
This August, thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of the Cairnhill committee, Cairnhill Allotments are finally open to the people of Chapelton, helping further strengthen the already thriving community spirit. With all of the plots now taken, residents have the chance to get green fingered and grow their own fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs.
To help those starting out with new plots, we have pulled together some top tips below on how to help crops flourish. Whether you have a plot at an allotment, or just some space in your garden, anyone can try these top tips – why not see what you can grow?
Start Small
While it is not difficult to look after an allotment plot, there is still a level of maintenance to carry out so it’s a good idea to start with a smaller plot or vegetable garden and then build up after you are comfortable with the jobs you need to do.
This way you it is easier to look after your crops and you won’t get overwhelmed with a huge plot that needs lots of looking after.
Foundations are Key
Like any project, to get the best results you need to have strong foundations so take some time making sure your plot is perfect before getting to work.
Before you start planting any crops, it’s important to clear the soil so that your fruits and vegetables will have plenty of space to grow without intrusion from any pesky weeds. It’s also key to make sure your soil is healthy and rich – you can do this by doing a soil test. Soil testing kits are relatively cheap to buy and will give you a good idea of the environment you are trying to grow crops in.
Be Selective With Your Crops
While it can be tempting to want to grow everything in your new allotment plot, it pays for beginners to be selective and choose just four to five plants to grow. Each crop will need space so if you try to squeeze too many into the same bed it can create problems. Once you have harvested your first crops you can follow these with new crops to try.
Consider Timing
Think about the season you are beginning to grow your veg in. Vegetables like peppers, courgettes and aubergines are popular but only seasonal so you may be better to choose crops that grow throughout the year – especially in Scotland when the weather is so unpredictable.
A Little Often Goes a Long Way
Keep on top of your vegetable patch by watering, feeding and weeding them regularly. New plots will need to be watered frequently and depending on which crops you are growing you may have to feed them supplement fertilizers. Weed little and often and you will save yourself a huge job much further down the line.
The Cairnhill committee will be providing regular updates on what is happening over at the plots in Chapelton so keep an eye on their website for news: www.cairnhillallotments.uk .
AJC Homes, a local, high quality home builder, is launching its newest show home in Chapelton – the two-bedroom Findon – and giving buyers the opportunity to furnish their new home free of charge.
Joining AJC’s five-bedroom Rothesay show home, that has been open to the public for 4 years, this new addition to the development will give first-time buyers and young families the opportunity to experience a home suited to their modern lifestyle.
The official show home launch event is taking place on Saturday 1st September, from 10am-5pm, with the first guests through the door being treated to a free luxury candle from local company Feather & Grey.
All guests will be able to enter a competition to win a hamper from Feather & Grey, and can enjoy delicious food and drink. There will also be a financial advisor on-hand to offer free advice and answer any questions guests may have.
Sian is the AJC Sales Advisor at Chapelton, and she says: “This is a fantastic two-bed home, with incredibly spacious bedrooms – which is perfect if you have kids, or are thinking about starting a family.
“The French doors in the lounge leading out to the back garden let lots of natural light in, making this space really bright. This home has great storage space throughout, and not only has a master bathroom upstairs, but a handy WC on the ground floor. It really is the perfect home for a first-time buyer or young family.”
This 80m2 home is available to buy in Chapelton from £222,000, and AJC Homes is also offering customers a fantastic incentive, to help furnish their new home.
If you reserve a Findon or Stirling home at Chapelton, you’ll receive a £5,000 furniture pack from John Lewis – which allows you to select your own furniture up to this value. You can get an idea of how much this would include by visiting the show home – as all the furniture you see inside was purchased within this budget.
This show home has a modern, minimalistic design, with nods to the Scandinavian trend throughout, and you can take a look around from 11am-5pm, Thursday to Monday.
Sustainability is the hot topic on everyone’s lips at the moment as we all try to do our bit to help the planet. Here in Chapelton, we are conscious of our impact on the world around us too, which is why we take steps to ensure that wherever possible, we make sustainable choices.
Working with sustainable property developers, like ZeroC which is committed to building low carbon homes, is just one way that we strive to be greener, but we can all be more mindful of our carbon footprint individually on a day to day basis.
If you are looking for some easy tips to help you be more environmentally friendly, then follow the five simple steps below.
Embrace a Car Free Lifestyle
One of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in the world is cars due to the huge amounts of Co2 they produce. By walking as many places as possible, you can drastically reduce your carbon footprint.
While living without using a car may not be completely possible for some, in Chapelton we have made it easy for our residents to embrace a culture of walking. Designed with the environment in mind, we have made it possible for our residents to walk to local facilities including the established nursery school, Teacake and The Lounge and by creating new jobs in the town we have eliminated the need to commute to work – meaning less time spent in cars and more time walking in the fresh air.
Be Mindful of Your Energy Use
This one might sounds obvious, but it’s a great way to start thinking more consciously about your behaviour and how it can impact the planet.
Turning lights off when you aren’t using them, unplugging electrical appliances and putting on a jumper before reaching to turn on the heating, are great ways to not only reduce your carbon footprint, but can also significantly reduce your energy bills.
Eat Locally and Grow Your Own
When thinking about ways to live more sustainably, consider the source of your food and try to eat locally where possible. Often, fruits, vegetables and many other items that we can conveniently pick up in supermarkets, have actually had to travel a huge distance using large amounts of fuel just to get to our trollies. By shopping more carefully and choosing local produce, we can support small businesses close to home while doing our bit to save the planet.
Another great alternative to this is to grow your own fruit and vegetables – you’d be amazed at how easy it is. You don’t have to have a huge garden or greenhouse, all it takes is planting a few seeds in a small corner of your garden, in pots on windowsills or in your porch. Sow the seeds and in no time you could have your own crop of herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Say No to Single Use
There is a reason why drinks businesses everywhere are putting a stop to plastic cups and straws – the devastating effect they have on the world around us. Common household single use plastics like disposable cups, razors and food containers use huge amounts of fuel, pollute our oceans and, if not properly recycled, release toxins into the surrounding environment.
Limit your plastic waste by considering the longevity of a product before purchasing it or think about buying a re-usable alternative. Additionally, find ways to re-use existing single-use plastic items in your home so that they won’t sit in landfill for years to come.
Recycle, Resell and Donate
Make sure you recycle as much as possible. Take time to find out what items you can recycle and what items you can’t, separating them from your everyday waste. If you have children, teach them how to recycle too so that they grow up knowing how to make sustainable choices.
For items like clothes and toys that still have some wear / play in them, consider selling them at a car boot sale or online on websites such as amazon. This can help you make some quick cash for products that you yourself aren’t using anymore.
Another option is to donate them to charity shops which are always looking for clothes and toys that they can redistribute to people in need. Giving old goods to charity shops that you aren’t using anymore helps both the planet and the less fortunate who would appreciate the items that you no longer need.
Stop Buying Bottled Water
The final tip is to appreciate the quality Scottish water that comes out of our taps, instead of buying plastic bottles that are hard to recycle and end up polluting our waters. Sometimes it can be easy just to pick up a bottle of water when we are out and on the go but by always remembering to pack a refillable water container, we can drastically reduce our plastic waste, keeping the planet happy.
Here in Chapelton we have a range of new build houses available from a number of esteemed property developers, renowned for bringing traditional charm with modern features to the homes they build.
Our new build homes, located just outside Aberdeen, are close to Stonehaven and a short drive to the city centre. Take a look below at the selection of beautiful homes and retirement properties available from popular housebuilders ZeroC, Stephen, AJC and Brio Retirement Living.
ZeroC Homes for sale
Specialist property developer ZeroC is responsible for bringing a range of new build homes to Chapelton that respect traditional architecture while boasting contemporary design.
Currently available from ZeroC, is the popular new build home, Ardler, available in both 2 or 3 bedroom home versions starting at £245,000. The Ardler maximises space and light and is well suited to families looking to start the next chapter of their life in Chapelton.
In addition to the Ardler, housebuilder ZeroC is offering a range of homes that are available under the Scottish Government’s Help to Buy initiative, including the Auchleish a well presented 2 bedroom terraced home starting at £199,950.
As well as the Auchleish, 2 bedroom apartments the Kilbryde and the Keithlock, priced from £189,000 to £199,950 are available under the scheme. Both immaculately finished properties, they are ideal for those keen to make the most of Chapelton’s location which is near the city but still enjoys a countryside setting.
Along with the Ardler and Auchleish, ZeroC has now released a new collection of new build homes to its recently re-designed block 10 on Bunting Place. Starting at £199,950, the mixture of two, three and four bedroom homes are already proving popular with house-hunters, so prospective buyers are encouraged to register their interest quickly before the remaining properties are snapped up.
Stephen Houses for sale
With a reputation for delivering an exceptional standard of new build homes for sale, the Stephen properties available in Chapelton are certain to be a hit with house hunters in the Aberdeenshire area.
The outstanding Melfort property is a four bedroom detached villa with high ceilings and generously sized rooms. Fitted with Karndean flooring, the property is finished to the highest standard with a fully integrated ‘high-gloss’ kitchen. Starting at £349,500, the Melfort is the perfect family home that has all the modern comforts of a new build home.
The second property currently on offer from Stephen is the Dunvegan home. Priced at £322,500, the Dunvegan is well finished and is a great size with three large bedrooms. Similarly to the Melfort, the Dunvegan is fitted with Karndean flooring, benefits from a ‘high-gloss’ fully integrated kitchen and would suit families or professionals seeking the comforts of a new build home.
AJC Houses for sale
Renowned for producing homes that have character and charm, AJC has a selection of properties in the heart of the Chapelton community.
The Stirling, a three bedroom semi-detached home, at Liddell place has been designed with family living in mind, utilizing an open plan layout throughout its kitchen dining space with stunning French doors opening into a spacious garden. Priced from £265,000, the Stirling sits in the heart of Cairnhill, the first Chapelton neighbourhood with stunning views out over Liddell Park.
If extra space is required, the well-proportioned Montrose is immaculately finished and light filled. With four sizable bedrooms the Montrose is situated in Chapelton’s popular Pheppie Park development. Priced from £415,000, this home is available under AJC’s part exchange scheme, which makes the moving process easier by providing a guaranteed buyer for your home.
Brio Retirement Living
The retirement properties for sale at Brio Retirement Living in Chapelton offer homeowners independent living at the heart of the existing community.
All of the retirement properties are now available to reserve off-plan and two show homes, the Fraser and the Campbell cottages, are also now open for visitors to view.
The Campbell, a one bed cottage and the two bedroomed Fraser cottage, which have been named after two local clans, have been carefully designed to complement the local heritage and their surroundings. Designed to the highest specifications, these homes combine traditional craftsmanship with modern building techniques resulting in a selection of the highest calibre of cottages.
July may be nearly over, but that doesn’t mean the end of BBQ season! We’ve teamed up with local butcher Bannerman Butcher to bring you the perfect recipe for hanger steaks with a sweet potato salad side, guaranteed to land you the title of King of the BBQ.
Whether enjoyed outdoors in the sunshine or inside on those Scottish summer days, this quick and easy dish is the perfect crowd pleaser. Just follow the simple steps below.
You will need
2 large hanger steaks from Bannerman Butcher (depending on how many people you are feeding)
For the sweet potato salad:
2kg sweet potatos, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, grated
140g feta cheese, roughly crumbled
50g toasted pine nuts
100g pomegranate seeds
Salt and pepper
1 tsp red chili flakes
For dressing:
4 spring onions, finely chopped
½ small bunch parsley, chopped
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp clear honey
5 tbsp white wine vinegar
Begin by Making the Salad
As the steaks take only minutes to cook, start by preparing the sweet potato salad. This can be done in advance of your guests arriving, giving you plenty of time to play host.
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
Toss the sweet potato with the olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, salt and pepper until coated evenly, then spread across a baking tray topped with baking paper.
Cook for 30-35 minutes until tender, then leave to cool to room temperature.
Mix the dressing ingredients into a large bowl, seasoning to taste.
Pile the potato onto a serving platter and generously drizzle over the dressing.
Tear up the feta and scatter over with the toasted pine nuts and pomegranate, then gently toss with your hands, taking care not to break up the potato.
With your salad ready it’s time to move onto cooking the steaks. For this recipe, Bannerman Butcher suggests using hanger steaks as the heat of the BBQ really intensifies the flavour.
Place your steaks onto a hot BBQ and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on how you like yours cooked.
Add a little salt and pepper, then rest the meat for 5 minutes before slicing and enjoying.
This recipe is the perfect dish for when you have lots of guests coming over and you don’t want spend hours over the stove. Quick, simple and delicious, enjoy recreating this tasty steak and sweep potato salad recipe for friends and family.
Disclaimer: Please note the recipe for the sweet potato salad was adapted from BBC Good Food’s recipe here.
This year, the Scottish Government announced a two year extension to its existing ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, helping first time buyers across Scotland take those all-important steps onto the property ladder.
The scheme, which has now been extended up to 2021, was set up to ease the pressure on buyers and has already helped thousands of households across Scotland purchase a new-build home.
But how does it work?
Launched in 2013, the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme allows first time buyers and aspiring home owners the chance to get on to, or move up the property ladder without having to source a sizable deposit for a mortgage.
Through the scheme, buyers can secure a mortgage for a new-build home at 5%, with an equity loan provided by the Scottish Government of up to 15%, leaving owners with a minimum of 85% to pay on their property.
The Government loan is interest-free for its term, meaning that the cost of the deposit and mortgage repayments are considerably lowered and as it’s not a shared ownership scheme, you own 100% of the property.
Since it started five years ago, the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme has helped more than 12,000 households secure their new home.
So what’s the catch?
While it may seem too good be true, there are just a few stipulations between you and your new home. Crucially, ‘Help to Buy’ is capped at properties costing £200,000 and it must be your sole place of residence. The loan cannot apply to part exchange or buy to let.
Help to Buy in Chapelton
At Chapelton some of our most sought after homes are now available through ‘Help to Buy’ which means that the property of your dreams may not be far out of reach.
In addition to two bedroom homes at £199,950, housebuilder ZeroC is offering its Keithlock apartment priced from £189,000. Boasting an en suite master bedroom, large second bedroom, plenty of storage and open kitchen, living and dining space, this apartment is ideal for those keen to make the most of Chapelton’s location, which is near the city but still enjoys a countryside setting.
Award-winning housebuilder Stephen’s Help to Buy properties have already proven extremely popular with first time buyers with just one two-bedroom cottages available to purchase using the scheme. Priced from £199,500 the Inchcape offers a large entrance hallway, two spacious bedrooms, bathroom and open plan kitchen and lounge area finished with French doors leading out onto a garden area.
With so many great local facilities and plenty to see and do, Chapelton is the perfect place to start your future.
Bertie and Ralphie live in a ZeroC property in Chapelton. Here, they tell us why they’re proud to call the town ‘home’.
What are you favourite things about your home in Chapelton?
Bertie: We love our home in Chapelton. The spacious garden is great for roaming around in during the summer and on colder winter days we like to lie in front of the wood burning stove.
Ralphie: I like being able to lie in the sunlight in my owner’s office. It’s a lovely space for a mid-afternoon nap.
Do you visit many areas nearby the town?
Ralphie: We’re always out and about. Our owners like taking us for walks in the woodland area close to our house but we also take trips to the beach in Newtonhill and Stonehaven. There are plenty of good sniffing spots there.
Have you met other doggy friends in Chapelton?
Bertie: Chapelton is full of lots of friendly dogs, and cats. We regularly bump into neighbours when out on walks but also all meet up once a week when our dog walker Jenna (Long Dog Walkies) takes us out to play.
Where is your favourite spot in Chapelton?
Ralphie: Apart from all of the great places to go on walks and our own garden, we like to stop by The Lounge when on a stroll through the town. The very friendly staff always make sure to give us a biscuit and a pat.
Bertie: I love going to Newtonhill beach. We’re able to walk there from our house and the warmer days are great for playing on the beach with our friends.
If you would like to include your furry friend on the blog, send us a message on Facebook.
The first ever Chapelton Fun Run was a great success. Hosted in the town on Sunday 15th July, people of all ages took part. A few childrens’ races in the park preceeded the main 10k road and trail race. All gather in Hume Square to enjoy a well-earned cold drink, a little music, plenty of sunshine and their bespoke Chapelton medal. All proceeds from the 250 entries are to be donated to local schools and charities and we would like to thank everyone for making the day a very fun one.
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