Couple Move To Landale Court After Living In Their Family Home of 53 Years

After Living In Their Family Home For 53 Years, Moving From Northamptonshire To Scotland Has Brought This Couple A New Lease Of Life, A Happy And Independent Retirement, And Closer To Those They Love

This inspiring couple have lived full, happy and challenging lives so far – from being evacuated during the Second World War, meeting whilst serving in the Royal Navy, to overcoming more recent health challenges, all with admirable strength of character and a positive outlook together.

Determined nothing will stop them from embracing life, this duo decided to up sticks from their Northamptonshire-based family home of 53 years to move to the beautiful Landale Court development in Chapelton on the Aberdeenshire coastline. Keen to be closer to family, whilst remaining fiercely independent and active, here we meet this positive pair – a couple embracing everything life has to offer during retirement including their beloved family, new cultures and reigniting a love of tennis…

“We learned to be adaptable when we were young and in the Services, and it has been an asset all our lives - especially now we’re into our 80s”, said Isobel.  “Alan and I met when we were both serving in the Royal Navy – I worked in communications in the ‘Wrens’ and Alan was in the Fleet Air Arm. We married in 1966 and went on to have two wonderful sons – Neil, who works in Edinburgh, and Iain who works in San Francisco.

“After leaving the Royal Navy, I trained as an occupational therapist and Alan a secondary school English and RE teacher. We settled into family life in Northamptonshire and lived in our family home for 53 years.”

Although the couple have experienced many places throughout the UK and beyond – with Alan once based in Lossiemouth, holidays in Scotland, and more recent times spent time visiting their son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in Laurencekirk – they never saw themselves moving from their home in Northamptonshire.

“Isobel and I come from completely different backgrounds but have certainly found our forever home here in Chapelton” shares Alan happily, “It’s a relief and a joy rolled into one living here at Landale Court”, he continues. “We’ve always loved visiting our son and family in Laurencekirk, but we’re happy there are no more long journeys, and we’re about 23 miles away from each other now, which is ideal for everyone. It’s lovely to know we’re close enough to see them regularly whilst having our own independence living here. And although we know we’re not, we’d hate to ever be a burden, and living at Landale Court is just perfect – our own home, in a beautiful town and safe in the knowledge that if we ever do need any professional support, that it’s available. It’s just taken away so much worry from the family as a whole – and means we can all live happily and contentedly.”

Isobel, 84, and Alan, 88, considered moving a few years ago but the pandemic held up their search. They adapted well and began looking at possible new homes online – including Landale Court – which they eventually visited in person in early 2023.

“We decided to visit Landale Court and take up the ‘try before you buy’ offer which is a very attractive idea as you get to stay in an apartment on the development for two nights – you certainly don’t get to do that on Rightmove! We’d visited other places in England which are aimed at retirees, but they were so depressing! We couldn’t leave our beautiful home to move somewhere for ‘old’ people – we needed somewhere full of life and Brio just gets that right on every level.

“Landale Court is for over 55’s so we’ve a huge mix of ages living here, some still in employment, and the onsite restaurant is open to everyone so there’s always an array of people living in the area to chat to and plenty of visitors – it really is a dynamic place to live. We fell in love with Landale Court immediately - the properties, the town, the development and the staff are all so wonderful. It’s such a special place and we knew it was meant to be.

“Admittedly, I think the final push in our decision was how we felt during my treatment for Leukaemia 18 months ago. Your outlook on life alters – and personally I not only wanted to live the happiest retirement possible, but to have the reassurance that Alan is in safe hands too. I’m thrilled to say that since my treatment life is back to being busy, fun and I’ve even reinvigorated my love of tennis – I now play regularly at the Aberdeen indoor tennis centre and it’s brilliant!

“We attend the church in Stonehaven, enjoy the coastline, join in with the activities at Landale Court and we’ve made so many new friends. We love it here and can genuinely say that not once have we doubted our decision – we just wish we’d done it sooner!”

The couple are keen to participate in the offerings at Landale Court including exercise sessions, book clubs and theme nights – they also welcome the quiet spaces on days they just want to relax at the firepit, the sunroom globe, or in and around the landscaped gardens.

Alan continued: “We really can’t thank the team here enough – their attention to detail really is perfect. From the decorations put up at pivotal dates in the year such as Easter – including a table of beautifully presented treats, to the kind gestures like the home-baked scones at the coffee mornings. Isobel and I were also touched by the lovely presentation box we received when we moved in – they are just so thoughtful! Our two-bedroom cottage is equally well presented and its perfect for us – as Isobel said earlier, Brio have just got it spot on in their approach to retirement living.

“And I can’t finish without sharing how I feel about Slate and Grain. Well, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and they’ve certainly got me hook, line and sinker! The food here is amazing – its imaginative, wide raging and very reasonably priced. You can enjoy a quality budget dining experience or splash out; the choice is yours! I’ve tried everything from the curries, fish and chips and pizza – and I can recommend it all!”

Alan and Isobel are looking forward to the summer and hopeful for sunshine so they can enjoy their cottage’s private outdoor space, make more memories with their family and take part in the exciting plans the Brio team has for the season.

The couple are also looking forward to welcoming friends to visit with Isobel concluding: “We wouldn’t be surprised if some of our friends decide to move to Landale Court – with the coast, beautiful countryside, castles and Aberdeen only seven miles away to visit too, it’s just an idyllic life we have and we feel very fortunate. Living here means we’re so much closer to our family whilst not living in their pockets – we couldn’t be happier with our decision to move to Chapelton. We’re keen to learn more about Scotland and its many traditions too – we’re enjoying embracing the culture and the really friendly people here. Both Alan and I are very happy and feeling optimistic about the future ahead. Thank you Landale Court for making retirement so easy - we’re loving every minute.”