Outdoors Archives - Chapelton

Six of the Best Outdoor Spring Activities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

During the past year it has been a tough challenge trying to keep the entire family entertained indoors. But with the sun starting to shine and restrictions beginning to ease, brush the cobwebs off your walking boots and start planning your weekend activities.

Step into spring with these local activities that will be sure to burn off excess energy, while sticking to both a budget and level 3 Scottish Government Guidelines.

Dunnottar Castle

Less than a 20-minute drive from Chapelton, the cliffs at Dunnottar Castle offer one of Scotland’s most truly dramatic and beautiful views. Steeped in history and with plenty of local beaches to explore, Dunnottar Castle is great way to get the kids excited about a day out of the house.

Aberdeen Spy Mission Treasure Trail

Discover Aberdeen like you have never seen before on a self-guided Spy Mission treasure trail! Get your magnifying glass out and solve tricky clues set on existing buildings and monuments to crack a code and complete the mission! A must-do for families, you can get out and about exploring Aberdeen for just £10.

Chapelton Trail

Did you know that we have our very own trail around Chapelton? You can follow a one hour marked walk through diverse scenery and wildlife habitats. The Chapelton trail has been used by many over lockdown as people use the area to exercise and socialise. You can download our Chapelton trail map here.

trail Six of the Best Outdoor Spring Activities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Dolphin spotting

You don’t need to venture abroad to Spain or Australia to spot dolphins…you can find them right here in Aberdeen. Visit Aberdeen Harbour to see urban dolphins jumping out of the water. You might even be able to spot sunbathing seals at Newburgh Beach if you make the trip.

Crathes Castle

We’ve got good news for history buffs as the beautiful Crathes Castle is due to re-open on 30 April. Explore the wonderful 16^th-century castle with its intricate towers and turrets.

Crathes Castle is the perfect location for a family day out – take a stroll through the idyllic walled gardens and spot wildlife such as deer, red squirrels, and woodpeckers…it’ll be a day to remember! For opening times and entry prices, check the National Trust for Scotland website first.

Chapelton Farmers’ Market

You don’t have to venture far from home to enjoy a day out! Come along to our first Farmers’ Market of the year on Sunday 23rd May. Hosted outdoors in Burgess Park, the event boasts over 25 stalls with a range of produce and items from local suppliers as well as hot food to take away.

The farmers’ market is open 11am-2:30pm.

Highland Coos!

Why not pay a visit to the wonderful herd of Highland cattle that graze in the grounds of Meldrum House? Whilst the house is closed to the public, visitors can visit the grounds and wave hello to the coos! Remember not to touch them or get too close – they’re not as cuddly as they might look!

cow-1024x683 Six of the Best Outdoor Spring Activities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Whatever the weather, there are plenty of places to visit over summer as lockdown restrictions ease in Scotland. Why not visit our Facebook page and tell us your favourite local trip?

Looking to move home this summer?

If you are looking for a new build home for sale near Aberdeen, Chapelton community offers stylish houses on the outskirts of the city. View our homes for sale.

The Perks of Having a Four-Legged Friend

Whether to get a pet or not is a discussion that most families know well. But, did you know that from young children to retirees, and everyone in between, there can be huge benefits to sharing your home with a furry friend?

Part of the family

For families with young children, a pet can help kids in a number of ways. Developing positive relationships with pets can help a child’s self-esteem and development of trusting relationships with others.

A good relationship with a pet can also help develop non-verbal communication, compassion and empathy as well as nurturing a sense of care and responsibility.

Wellness and companionship

It isn’t just children who can benefit from bringing a pet into the family. No matter how bad your day might have been, getting home to a friendly welcome from your pet is sure to raise a smile.

Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can lower stress and bring happiness to their owners.

Pets can also reduce loneliness by providing companionship and increasing opportunities for social interaction.

Make the most of Chapelton with a four-legged friend

Pets can also be a great stimulus to get outside and one of the many benefits of living in Chapelton is being able to enjoy the green space on your doorstep with your furry friend.

The town boasts plenty of open space and a host of homes with gardens just waiting to be explored. And, despite being just a 20 minute drive from the centre of Aberdeen, there are lots of great spots to explore with the company of a pet.

Take a walk through the town before sitting outside Teacake where treats are always on offer, or wander along the Chapelton trail which throughout spring boasts plenty of fresh blooms and new smells for dogs to discover.

Chapelton Autumn Families Adventure

On Sunday, children and families flocked to Chapelton to take part in a seasonal adventure. Starting with an autumnal wild walk with Kincardine and Mearns Countryside Ranger Helen Young, the children enjoyed walking around Chapelton looking out for crunchy leaves and autumnal colours.

After enjoying the fresh air, children and families were welcomed back to The Hut for hot chocolates and an interactive autumn story with Diana Peers from the Grampian Association of Storytellers.

The sun came out just in time for the day and everyone had a fantastic time. Take a look at some of the pictures below.

Autumn-Storytelling-5-RR-FOCUS-1024x683 Chapelton Autumn Families Adventure

Autumn-Walk-1-RR-FOCUS-1024x683 Chapelton Autumn Families Adventure

How to Live Life More Outdoors

As a Nation we are certainly guilty of spending too much time indoors. Whether it’s working all day in a stuffy office that we commute to by car, spending evenings catching up on our favourite Netflix show or inviting friends round at the weekend for a dinner party, it’s so easy for us to spend all of our time indoors, especially in bad weather.

Although we can struggle to spend time at one with nature, spending time outdoors is incredibly beneficial for our mental and physical well-being.

To help give you some inspiration on how you can incorporate the great outdoors into your life, we’ve pulled together some top tips below.

Go for a Walk

A great way to incorporate some outdoor activity into your day is to make the effort to go for a walk in the evenings. With the lighter nights now here, venturing outside will get your step count up and can help you de-stress after a long day at work.

So whether you take a stroll round your neighbourhood, enjoy a country walk or follow a local nature trail, spending just half an hour in the evenings will have an incredible impact on your mind and body.

Outdoor markets

At the weekend it can be tempting to snuggle up indoors with the latest iPlayer box set, however discovering local markets will allow you to wander outside and let you try something new. Look up some markets in your area and take your family or friends to wander round the stalls. Markets are a fantastic way to sample local produce and creates the feeling of being on holiday without leaving the country.

We will be hosting our very own farmers market on Sunday the 21^st of July with some fantastic producers from around Aberdeenshire. You can see more information here.

Get Green Fingered

Giving your garden some TLC is another fantastic way to spend time outdoors. Take a trip to your local garden store and pick up some bulbs and seeds, then spend the afternoon planting and sewing them. You’ll be amazed at how relaxed you will feel and the sense of achievement when they start to bloom will be great- not to mention your garden will look so bright and colourful.

Sports

A lot of people like to exercise in the gym, making the most of specific equipment to complete a workout programme, however taking your workout outside can help you burn more calories and give you an extra dose of vitamin D.

Exercising outdoors helps you work harder as the terrain and environment are constantly changing, meaning you’ll burn more calories than you would on a treadmill or elliptical with the added bonus of fresh air. So why not take some of your workouts out into the open where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery while getting in shape?

If you are looking for some fun sporting activities to take part in this summer, why not sign up for the Cha pelton 10K or the Chapelton Bike Ride and walk.

Community Street BBQ

Take a leaf out of Chapelton’s book where residents are taking to the streets to make friends with neighbours by hosting community BBQs.

Invite the people living around you and make a plan for music and entertainment, then get everyone to bring a dish along and set out a big table in the street where food can be laid out and shared. This is a fantastic way of getting to know your neighbours while tucking in to some delicious BBQ food.

Cairnhill Community Allotments Now Open in Chapelton

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 .

Chapelton Bike Ride to Return for Third Year

The Chapelton Bike Ride is back for its third year, set to take place on Sunday 2^nd September.

People of all ages are welcome to enjoy this fun-filled day which will once again raise much-needed funds for local charity North East Sensory Services, adding to the current £14,424 total raised from previous bike rides.

Whether you’re keen to get involved in the ride itself, spectate or just enjoy the activities on the day, here are some helpful tips to bring you up-to-speed on everything there is to know about the event. We can’t wait to see you all there.

The Routes

The Bike Ride, sponsored by Burness Paull, will begin at 10:30am with the 42 mile route taking in Chapelton, Durris Forest and the village of Stonehaven
A shorter 12 mile route will start at 12pm with participants cycling in and around Chapelton’s roads and pathways
A 5km Chapelton Trail walk, sponsored by Brio Retirement Living, will begin shortly after 12pm offering those keen to take part in a less strenuous challenge to stretch their legs and also provide younger children with an activity through the grounds of nearby Elsick House

Food, Drink and Entertainment

The cycling and walking activities will be followed by live music, a selection of stalls selling local produce and entertainment from Northsound’s Michael Macdermid

Entry Fees

Individual registration costs £15 for the 42 mile route per person or £5 per person for the 12 mile route
Team entry for four people is available at a reduced rate of £50 for the longer route and £15 for the 12 mile route
All pre-registered riders will receive a free T-shirt and goodie bag
An additional fee of £5 will be applied to those registering on the day. Registration closes on 31^st August
The Chapelton Trail walk is free for all participants

For more information or to register for the Chapelton Bike Ride, visit www.chapeltonbikeride.co.uk

Enjoy Geocaching in Chapelton with ZeroC

As we enjoy the longer and warmer days of summer, why not join in the fun of geocaching in Chapelton.

Thanks to housebuilder ZeroC, the fun pastime is set to be available for residents and visitors alike to make the most of. Here, Alastair Struthers, ZeroC’s Development and Sales Manager for Chapelton, describes what the hobby is and how you can get involved.

What is Geocaching?

Best described as high-tech treasure hunting, geocaching is the outdoor pursuit of finding a small, hidden container using a device equipped with GPS mapping (Global Positioning System). Participants, known as Geocachers, use coordinates on their GPS devices to hide and seek a waterproof container, which normally contains a logbook to record their discovery as well as a small reward.

Once the geocache has been discovered, players hide the container for future players to discover.

Who can take part?

Geocaching is open to anyone with an interest in the outdoors and a GPS-enabled device, such as a smartphone or tablet. It’s a great family activity involving walking, problem solving and mystery, getting you out and about to explore the beautiful scenery in and around Chapelton.

Where is the Chapelton geocache?

Although its location within Chapelton is top secret, the geocache will soon be stashed within the town for intrepid explorers to find. Inside, there will be a logbook to record your discovery as well as free stickers for those who have discovered it.

Will you be the first person to find the Chapelton geocache?

Be sure to check the Chapelton Facebook and Instagram pages to find out when the Chapelton Geocache goes live.

Embrace the beauty of a Chapelton winter

There are few things more refreshing than a crisp, cold Scottish winter morning. Aberdeenshire is rich in natural beauty as well as well as offering a host of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Chapelton and its surrounding area is no exception to the rule.

Our guide to winter in Chapelton and the local area highlights five of the community’s favourite activities and attractions.

Stroll through a natural wonder

Less than five miles away from Chapelton is the Red Moss of Netherley. Located next to the small village of Netherley, the raised bog is a varied habitat with marsh and woodland. A variety of wildlife flourishes in this environment including heather and bog-land plants including Sphagnum moss and carnivorous sundews. Perfect for kids and adults alike, visitors may spot inhabitants as diverse as the toad and dragonfly depending on when they visit.

The walk is easy going over an access path – but do ensure that you stick to it, as deep pools and ditches within the bog can be dangerous if walked upon.

Learn more about the Red Moss by visiting https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/red-moss-of-netherley/

Go winter wildlife spotting

With a favourable climate and plenty of food to enjoy, the skies above Chapelton are the perfect place to spot a diverse range of migrating birds. Recent sightings have included the Snow Goose, the diminutive Siberian Chiffchaff and distinctive American Wigeon.

Arboriculturalists will also appreciate the wide variety of tree species available throughout Chapelton and its surroundings, including Silver Birch, Gorse, various willows and the large beech hedge which can be found on the Chapelton Trail.

Learn more about wildlife in Aberdeenshire on VisitABDN (https://www.visitabdn.com/what-to-do/aberdeen/nature-and-wildlife/).

Indulge yourself at Teacake

Come in from the cold by relaxing with a hot drink or warming bowl of soup in the town’s very own café, Teacake. Located within the popular focal point of Hume Square, the family-run business uses choice ingredients from local suppliers. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to keep up with its regularly-updated menu. You can also reserve a table or request a gift voucher to share with a loved one.

Explore the market town of Stonehaven

With a fine range of independent shops to explore, Stonehaven is an alluring town less than ten miles from Chapelton. It’s also home to the acclaimed Gallery at Fifty Five, which stocks an array of artwork from up-and-coming Scottish artists and is the perfect location to obtain a stylish piece with which to personalise your new home.

The town is also home to HIP Life; an independent clothing store which stocks handmade, Fairtrade clothing from Nepal, India and Mexico.

You can learn more about Gallery at Fifty Five at http://www.galleryatfiftyfive.co.uk/.

How to prepare your home for winter

It may only be November but the first frosts of winter will soon be here. We look at some quick, effective and simple tips you can put in place now to make your winter a trouble-free season around the home.

Outdoors

Gut your gutters

A factor often overlooked when it comes to home maintenance is ensuring that water is drained correctly. Check your roof gutters and ground-level drainage for any signs of blockage, such as weeds or leaves, and ensure these are clear to draw away the worst of the water flow as ice and snow melts.

Get salty

A quick and effective way to combat ice on your driveway is to sprinkle salt on areas surrounding your home. Ensure that your driveway, heavily-used paths and steps are covered to improve traction and quickly dissolve ice.

Welcome wildlife

As winter sets in, the availability of food for local wildlife can decline. You can play your part by hanging bird feeders and keeping bird baths topped up to encourage them to flock to your garden.

Indoors

Load up on logs

Load up on logs to make the most of a cosy fire during the colder winter months. Local garden centres such as Kirktown Garden Centre in Kirktown of Fetteresso, Stonehaven offer plenty of dry wood which can be stored at home until ready to use.

Cook up a storm

Winter often brings with it a series of bugs and illnesses. You can start the fight against them early by boosting your immune system with healthier ingredients in your home-cooked meals. Leeks, garlic, greens and even sweet potatoes are high in zinc, which is a key element in promoting a healthy immune system.

Cosy and comfortable

You can set a warming, comfortable tone in your home which will keep your family cosy on a winter’s evening by introducing heavy throws, comfy cushions and candles. These accessories will help to create a relaxed ambience making warm evenings in front of the fire even more enjoyable.

We would love to know what other tips and tricks that you would like to see on the Chapelton blog. Comment here or on the Chapelton Facebook page to tell us.

Get Cosy with Hygge this Autumn

The leaves are beginning to fall and the nights are darkening meaning that autumn is almost here.

For many this is an exciting time of year, full of nights by the fire, cups of hot chocolate and woodland walks amongst colours of burnt orange and deep red.

Providing plenty of cosy inspiration is the popular Danish trend of hygge. Pronounced “hoo-guh’, the term has no direct translation into English but does derive from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term hugga which means to ‘comfort’ or to ‘console’ and is related to the English word ‘hug’.

Embracing the trend, Chapelton has provided the ultimate hygge checklist helping you to make your home cosy this autumn.

Create a Cosy Snug

One of the first rules in the Hygge book is to get cosy. Create a warm and comfortable spot in your home that can be enjoyed with family and friends, or just yourself.

This is often a corner of a living room or nook of a bedroom where layers of cushions and throws can be added to create a retreat of peace and quiet. Snuggle in with a good book, cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a little time away from everyday life.

Light More Candles

The Danes light more candles per head than anywhere else in Europe, according to Culture Trip. The warm glow of simple candles create a cosy and intimate atmosphere that helps the eyes relax from artificial lighting and the mind switch-off.

Dim any lighting in your living room or bedroom and add plenty of white, unscented candles to your hygge snug.

Get Rid of Clutter

Organisation is a key element for feeling relaxed and banishing clutter is one of the best ways to start.

Embrace hygge by investing in clever storage solutions that hide unwanted mess such as clothing, paperwork or stationery to create a serene space that you’ll want to enjoy.

Photo of CSG socks

Enjoy Treasured Memories

Hygge is all about an environment full of happiness. Add token yet creative displays of family pictures to your hygge space to remind you of happy times.

These can be small prints and paintings, photographs or memorabilia displayed in a simple yet effective way.