Mary

Viewforth, Kirkcaldy – 2023

Retired post office counter worker and granny to nine grandchildren, Mary Hamill, aged 78, was terrified at the thought of moving out of the family home that she had bought new over 40 years ago with her late husband George in the Dunniker area of Kirkcaldy. However, with a move needed so she could live life on one level, the hunt was on for the ideal place to call home.

They often say that you don’t choose your home, it chooses you and with three of Mary’s grandchildren past pupils from the original Viewforth High School, it was perhaps fate that she and her daughter Louise discovered Whiteburn’s plans for the Viewforth development in the local newspaper.

It’s been an interesting journey filled with lots of emotion and great joy too as Mary explains: “My daughter Louise and I were both very interested to hear about the plans for the redevelopment of the old school grounds. We both saw the story in the local press, and we went along to the very first meeting about the development in a local hotel. Then we stayed up to date with all of the development information online and the brochure on my phone and my tablet. Everyone was great at keeping us in the know.

“Due to some health issues, I wanted to move to a property where I would be all on one level, and it was also time to move to be closer to my daughter. Following my move to Viewforth in July this year, she’s now just a four-minute drive away which gives us both peace of mind.”

Mary was impressed from day one of meeting the team at Viewforth as she adds: “I was pleased and very interested by what I heard from the team at Whiteburn at that first public meeting. My old house had been new, and I love buying new because I like being able to just unpack and get on with life.

“Right at the start of my journey to move, we did look at a couple of older properties, but when I saw the plans for Viewforth and that I could have a new-build apartment, I knew Viewforth was for me, and I think I was almost one of the first people to sign up.”

I love my new apartment – it’s on the ground floor so I have no stairs to worry about, and I can’t believe the living space that I have. I also have French doors that look right across the Firth of Forth – and I just love looking out and seeing the water.

Moving can be a stressful time for people at any stage of life, but perhaps so for older people.

“I did worry about leaving my old house, adds Mary. “But with the support of my family, I knew I was doing the right thing and it’s been great to get my own property.

“Everyone at Whiteburn has been so helpful and kind – they’ve supported me throughout the whole moving process, and Toria was brilliant at keeping me up-to-date on what was happening and she answered all of my questions whenever I had any.  The team also went above and beyond when I explained to them that due to a health condition, which means I need a pacemaker, I couldn’t have an induction hob which is what comes as standard.  With no problem at all, they installed an electric hob – which was just lovely.  I have everything just how I want it, and I’m absolutely delighted with how I’ve been able to personalise my apartment from the wide choice of available options.

“I love the colour white but one of my granddaughters persuaded me to go with a light grey kitchen with a black sink – I didn’t ever think I would have a black sink, but I love it.  I like how everything has come together.  As well as good quality, I felt my optional extras were also good value too.”

Move-in day is a very special day in the property journey for customers, and it’s great to hear things went smoothly for Mary as she explains: “Although there were some construction delays, these were managed very well by Toria and when I moved in, everything went so smoothly. I cried with joy when I got the keys, and then just two days later my friend moved me in. Literally, within just a couple of hours, we were sitting and having a cup of tea and biscuit and I already felt quite settled. Just lovely.

“Mark the site manager still often checks that everything is fine and there’s a lovely community spirit here. I knew there would be building work for quite a while after I moved in, but that doesn’t worry me, and the workmen are always saying hello which is lovely, and the neighbours are all very friendly.

My new apartment is cosy and energy efficient. There are solar panels on the roof of the building, and I think they do help to make a difference. I am spending less on my energy bills, and I don’t worry about putting the heating on.

“This development is impressive and my friends Wilma and Nancy, who love to visit for coffee, also agree that buying a new apartment here is one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Mary’s grandchildren who went to the former Viewforth High School that stood on the grounds of the current development still reminisce when they visit.  As Mary concludes:

When my grandchildren visit me they say ‘Oh granny..that’s where my old maths class used to be’… or ‘that were we used to go to a class over there..’ so it’s lovely that I have found my ideal apartment for one right here at Viewforth to continue our family connection with this area.

I would highly recommend anyone who is looking for a new home to visit Viewforth to see if the Whiteburn team can help them too.