The first couple to move into the north-east’s newest town said starting off with no neighbours was a “surreal” experience.
Peter and Susan Scott were the first residents of the £1billion Countesswells housing development when they collected their keys last week.
But for the first days they found the only other residents of the streets – which will eventually have some 3,000 homes on them, were their dogs, Holly and Archie.
Mrs Scott said: “It feels really good.
“It’s interesting now that we are here just to watch how everything is developing.
“It was surreal to start with but now there are a couple of other houses with people in them.”
The couple used to live in Culter and chose the new development within the city boundaries over a move to Banchory.
Mrs Scott added: “The dogs have settled in well.
“It’s handy having the woods close by for walks with our two dogs, it’s a beautiful area.
“We’ve got Countesswells woods, Hazlehead woods and Foggieton woods and there’s a lot of walking room around the development.
“They are also going to be building four parks as well so knowing that you are going to have such beautiful greenery around you is quite a high point.
“It’s easy for getting into the middle of town and it’s easy for getting to work and then when you come home you have that feeling that you are in the country.
“It’s the best of both worlds.
“The location, the scenery and the environment made it for us.”
John Low, Managing Director at Stewart Milne Homes, was happy to see Mr and Mrs Scott settled into their new home.
He said: “We are delighted to welcome the first residents to the new community of Countesswells and everyone at Stewart Milne Homes is excited about helping them to settle into their new home.”