The charms of Chapelton

from Trend May / Jun 2022

Fizz, frocks and fancies in Laurencekirk

It’s not often that there’s a whole new town in our corner of the world, but Chapelton – or Chapelton of Elsick, to give it its full name, is just that.

The drive into Chapelton is visually pleasing. All the housing styles work together to create a distinctive style that’s reminiscent of the charming salt-box homes found in New England or Canada’s eastern seaboard. There’s a great mix of family homes, flats and some superb retirement living options from Brio. The countryside setting, about 10 miles south of the city, combines attractive views and walking and cycle paths with the convenience of being able to reach the city centre in around 15 minutes.

Despite being a relatively new community, there are plenty of events and traditions that shape the character of the town. Autumn brings the town’s Scarecrow festival which is hotly contested and features a great deal of ingenuity. There are allotments, regular farmers markets, festive craft workshops, a 10K fun run and a charity bike ride each year, so there’s always something going on.

As you might expect, even the shops are individual and interesting. You’ll find The Lounge at Chapelton on Hume Square, an attractive grassy space that forms heart of the community. It’s a great hair and beauty salon, majoring in Elemis face and body treatments, massages and holistic therapies. They have a great reputation for colour and flattering cuts too. It’s a great choice for a bit of pampering, or a whole new look all at out of town prices.

The Boxes at Chapelton are a colourful selection of small independent shops, with enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful staff. It’s best to check current opening hours for each business on their Facebook pages.

Wander and Graze is a perfect little deli offering a selection of local and more exotic produce. You’ll find artisan cheeses, breads and crackers, charcuterie

and high quality grocery items. They also do a mean bacon roll, some great bagel bombs and a cinnamon bun that’s worth the trip alone.

When it comes to gifting and homewares, The Omnia always has a fabulous selection of cushions, scented candles, vases and home décor accessories, like glass bon bon jars, cake stands and ginger jars. Everything is well chosen and thoughtfully curated, so the main difficulty is in choosing a gift that you won’t want to keep for your own home.

Red Rocks has a sparkling selection of bespoke bridal jewellery, hairpieces and gifts created by Gray’s graduate Claire Notarangelo. You’ll find everything from silver and pearls to lamp-worked glass beaded bracelets to costume pieces and will probably be overwhelmed with the desire to own a tiara.

At just a short drive from the city, Chapelton’s definitely worth a visit.