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Great Places To Live: Aberdeenshire, Scotland 

Posted 18 February 2020

WhatHouse? Take a closer look at the beauty of North East Scotland, and the homes which are available to buy in the area.

Aberdeenshire sits on the north eastern coast of Scotland and is renowned for not only its natural beauty and stunning landscapes, but for its beautiful grey granite stone houses and high ranking university. It's affectionately known north of the border as Scotland's 'Granite City', because most of the traditional housing in the area has been built using local granite that shimmers and glistens in the Scottish sunlight. Aberdeen itself is a city which offers fantastic amenities, whilst also being conveniently located for the local Dice airport and Aberdeen rail station with direct routes to Edinburgh, London and destinations throughout Europe. WhatHouse? take a closer look at Aberdeen City and the surrounding Aberdeenshire area. 

Image: Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire. Getty Images. 

Natural beauty

From the stunning coastline that reaches from Johnshaven to Portsoy, to the inland rolling hills of Glen Muick and and the Cairngorm National Park, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire are jam packed with natural beauty and outdoor space. Balmoral Castle, residence of the Royal family, is not only of historical significance and a tourist attraction in its own right, but also sits surrounded by some of the most impressive walking trails and hill tops.

Image : Glen Muick, Aberdeenshire, Getty Images. 

Glen Muick, which is adjacent to Balmoral, offers breathtaking scenery and outdoor space, as does Inveray near Braemar village. Aberdeesnhire’s coastline offers fantastic sailing and watersports, whilst The Lecht (weather permitting) has multiple ski runs to offer during the winter season. There are excellent fishing opportunities and multiple whiskey distilleries to visit… 

 

Image: The Fife Arms, Braemar, Tripadvisor. 

Hotel getaway

SItuated in the centre of Braemar village, The Fife Arms Hotel was recently awarded The Sunday Times Hotel of The Year.The hotel is a Victorian coaching inn surrounded by the Cairngorms National Park. It brings together Scottish heritage, craftsmanship and culture with a love of contemporary art. There are 46 individually decorated guest rooms and suites on offer including: poetry rooms, artists residence rooms, croft rooms, family rooms and royal suites. Did we mention that it boasts a Spa, too? 

 

Image: Aberdeen University, Getty Images. 

Aberdeen University

Aberdeen University, founded over 500 years ago, was voted Scottish University of The Year in 2019. Professor George Boyne, an Aberdonian and double graduate of University of Aberdeen, who took over last year as principal and vice-chancellor, is planning to build on the university’s 14-place rise in the 2019 table and has promised to make it “inclusive, interdisciplinary and international in reach and quality”. - Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019. Aberdeen University offers a sports village and Olypmic standard aquatic centre and the Sir Duncan Rice, Medical and Taylor libraries. 

Image: Craigievar Castle, Getty Images.

National Trust jewels

Peppered throughout the Aberdeenshire area is a selection of some of the National Trust’s most popular properties. Great for history buffs and family outings, possibly one of our favourites has to be the ‘fairytale’ castle, Craigievar.

It is said to be the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle with glowing pink walls and turrets. Craigievar houses an impressive array of Raeburn paintings and artefacts as well as woodland walks and rare pine martens. 

Image: Leith Hall, Getty Images.

Leith Hall, home of the Leith and Leith Hay family for ten generations. They donated the house to the National Trust for Scotland along with all their furnishings and art, making it one of the most complete collections in the National Trust’s care. Outside, the beautiful grounds are one of the Trust’s hidden gems and contain the highest altitude garden, at 186m above sea level. From the top of the garden there are spectacular views of Aberdeenshire and the surrounding hills. Meander home along the zig zag path and admire the original ‘moon gate’ built into the stone wall. 

Images: Fyvie Castle, Getty Images.

Fyvie Castle is an imposing 800-year-old fortress, with wildfowl in the loch. The art collection on display includes the likes of Batoni, Romney, Gainsborough, Opie, Lawrence and Hoppner. There’s the racquets court and bowling alley to discover, as well as the ice house, bird hide and restored earth closet. 

Discover more about Craigievar Castle, Leith Hall and Fyvie Castle at nts.org.uk

 

Homes in the area

Craigton Mews, Cults, Aberdeenshire (CALA Homes)

A limited selection of only 15 premium 3 and 5 bedroom detached and semi-detached homes. The 5 bedroom luxury home, The Ulshurst and the stylish 3 bedroom Oatfield are both now released for sale, with the Oatfield showhome now open. 

Part of CALA's brand-new Light and Space collection, these unique 5 bedroom detached family homes boast grand designs never seen before in the North of Scotland, together with the high specification and quality craftsmanship you’d expect from CALA.

Just three miles from the city centre, this sought-after location also offers a variety of amenities right on your doorstep, and benefits from being in the catchment area for some of the most well-regarded schools in Aberdeen. Whether you’re commuting or escaping to the wider Royal Deeside and Aberdeenshire countryside, it’s really easy to enjoy the best of both worlds here.

Prices from £429,950.

For more information about Craigton Mews visit cala.co.uk. 

 

The Grove, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire (CALA Homes)

Surrounded by rolling countryside and boasting elevated views across the valley, The Grove is the desirable new address for Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. 

CALA's exclusive new collection of 4 & 5 bedroom family homes offers the height of contemporary CALA living, with light and spacious interiors designed and finished to the exemplary standard they’re renowned for. A tree-lined frontage is accompanied by lots of green spaces and a private children’s play area, making The Grove the perfect setting for raising a family.

It’s also close to the thriving town of Inverurie, which enjoys a strong sense of community and proud association with sports, including Garioch Sports Centre and Inverurie LOCOs. All this is in easy reach of Aberdeen via the A96 and from Inverurie train station, providing a direct service in under an hour. So whether you’re heading to the city or countryside, The Grove is well placed for an aspirational family lifestyle.

Prices from £499,950.

For more information about The Grove visit cala.co.uk. 

 

Riverside Quarter, Aberdeen (Barratt Homes)

Riverside Quarter is a vibrant, family friendly community ideally located just a 10 minute drive from Aberdeen city centre. Discover a range of homes, apartments and townhouses, perfect if you’re looking to join or move up the property ladder.

With stunning scenery all around and a five-star quality build; it is no wonder why Barratt Homes’ new homes at Riverside Quarter are becoming some of the hottest properties on the market. As well as enhancing Barratt Homes’ offering to Aberdeen’s house hunters, the homes at Riverside Quarter boast a prime location and competitive pricing, as well as a range of great incentives. 

The Barrat Homes selection of properties on this development have been developed to provide easy commuting in and around the city, and you’ll have a great range of local amenities on your doorstep.

Prices from £169,995.

For more information about Riverside Quarter visit Barratt Homes

 

Westburn Gardens, Aberdeenshire (Barratt Homes)

With the release of its new one, two and three bedroom apartments at Westburn Gardens, Barratt Homes is remembering the legacy of Aberdeen’s pioneers, artists, business leaders and writers.

Barratt Homes – which has been the UK’s largest five-star housebuilder for 10 consecutive years – has named its new series of apartments after inspiring Aberdonians of past and present.

Figures that have been remembered by the housebuilder include Lord Byron, who famously attended the nearby Aberdeen Grammar School, Bertie Charles Forbes – founder of Forbes business magazine – and famous painter, George Jameson. Others include Sir Ian Wood, Annie Lennox, Denis Law, Emeli Sande and one of the key architects of Aberdeen renowned granite heritage, Archibald Simpson.

Located on the former grounds of Cornhill Hospital, Westburn Gardens has been re-designed and renovated by Barratt Homes with an emphasis on acknowledging Aberdeen’s granite heritage.

The Royal Cornhill Apartments, with prices starting from £159,995, feature granite facades while inside, each apartment has bright open-plan living spaces and include exquisite views over the Granite City.

Prices from £159,995. 

For more information about Westburn Gardens visit Barratt Homes. 

 

Featured Developments
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB21
£214,995 - £268,995
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Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB21
3 - 4 bedroom properties
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Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB25
£166,995 - £339,995
Westburn Gardens, Cornhill
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB25
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Barratt Homes
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