Video: 12 Murray Place, Stonehaven
Dad will never leave area he loves so much
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CHRIS Anstock may have been born in Aberdeen, but his heart belongs to the Mearns.
The retired Grampian Police inspector was born and raised in the Aberdeen’s West End.
But in his early 20s, Chris fell in love with Catterline and hasn't left the Mearns area since.
“I love the peace and quiet of the smaller community,” said the 53-year-old.
But after 19 years in Catterline, Chris and his 55-year-old wife Heather, moved to their home in Stonehaven 11 years ago.
He and Heather, a retired administrator at Lairhillock School, were fed up of travelling to Stonehaven
to take their children, Philip, Clare and Stuart, to an assortment of activities.
A stroke of luck meant they came across the idyllic 12 Murray Place.
“We had sold our home in Catterline quickly, and started looking for homes in Stonehaven.
“Neither of us had heard of Murray Place before, but when we went to view it we realised it was a lucky find.”
The couple were instantly won over by the lovely location, right beside Dunnottar Woods. They also liked the peaceful street with no through traffic and the spacious rooms.
Their new family home was also in good condition and didn't require too much work.
Chris said: “Although it was in a good state there is always changes needed to suit your taste. The colour scheme was a bit dark so we brightened it up.”
Chris loves painting and decorating and redid the whole place himself.
“I find it therapeutic to get my radio on and set to work.
“I redecorated the entire house including refitting both bathrooms and the kitchen.”
The handyman added power showers to both bathrooms and transformed the kitchen into the farmhouse-style room his wife wanted.
During their 11 years in Murray Place Chris has redone the living room two or three times to his family’s taste. And his interior efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, as friends and family have since requested his help with their own design projects.
The couple have chosen a bright, fresh and homely interior which has been inspired by their travels in Scotland and beyond.
“We’ve been influenced by the warm colours of Turkey, which can be seen with the terracotta in our main bathroom.
“The fresh blues and greens in the other bathroom have been influenced by the West Coast of Scotland and the pale yellow in the bedroom reflects the wheat fields in the east of Scotland.”
The couple have also adorned their beautiful home with a range of paintings by their friend, Catterline painter Annette Stephens.
Chris and Heather were blessed with a garden that had been landscaped and tended with care before they moved in.
They have maintained their lovely garden well and have even added a few touches of their own over the years.
“We recently put a hedge in, and we’ve got a decking area which is a lovely quiet spot for having a coffee,” said Chris
When they’re not relaxing in their secluded green space, Chris and Heather are often chasing after Jack, the family’s springer spaniel in the nearby Dunnottar Woods, or taking the 15 minute walk down to Stonehaven harbour.
They also enjoy the panoramic views out over the woods.
“The views, especially at this time of year, are spectacular with all the different colours of green.”
Now their children, Philip, 22, and Stuart, 20, have left home, and Stuart’s twin Clare is about to begin studying in Edinburgh, the proud parents are looking to downsize from their five-bedroom home.
“We’re definitely going to stay in Stonehaven,” said Chris.
“And if someone has a three- bedroom house in the old part of Stonehaven we'd be happy to swap.”
“It’s been a great family home and we’ve got many good memories here.”
