We found our perfect first home and a new way of life at Spey Green

After 12 years of city living in Edinburgh, Chloe and her husband, Aaron, were ready for a change. Keen to purchase their first home and embrace a more outdoors-focused lifestyle, they made the move to Newtonmore in May 2025, settling into Tulloch Homes’ Spey Green development. Now, nearly a year on, Chloe reflects on how the move has transformed their everyday life.  

“After renting in Edinburgh for over a decade, we knew we wanted our first home to be somewhere that offered more than a place to live. We were looking for a lifestyle change, somewhere closer to nature and where we could easily enjoy the outdoor sports we love.  

“We were staying in Newtonmore on holiday when I discovered Tulloch Homes and their Spey Green development. I remember walking past the development and thinking how incredible the views of the hills would be from those homes. I ended up visiting and met Jaqui, the sales consultant, who was so welcoming and helpful. From there, I booked an appointment so Aaron could come and see the development and before we knew it, we had reserved our home all within a few days. 

“We chose a two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow, The Birch, which is the ideal size for us as a first home. The layout has been thoughtfully designed, with the living room and kitchen seamlessly connected while still maintaining a sense of separation. This creates an open-plan feel without compromising on cosiness.  

“A personal highlight for me has been our garden. Having lived in flats before, I’d never had one, and it’s been so lovely to enjoy this outdoor space – especially as it was turfed as standard. It’s south facing, so it gets lots of sun, and the location brings fantastic wildlife right to our doorstep. I’ve put out bird feeders, and we’ve even had red squirrels visiting, it’s a little slice of Highland life right outside our door. 

“Being able to personalise things like door handles and colour choices in the kitchen and bathroom was such a luxury. After years of renting where you can’t change anything, moving into a brand-new home that reflects your own taste is very special.  

“Before buying at Spey Green, we had put offers in on older homes, but what really appealed to us about Tulloch Homes was the simplicity of the process. Being able to reserve at a fixed price removed so much stress. We also realised that taking on a renovation project, especially in a new area where we didn’t have a support network yet, would be a huge undertaking. Choosing a new build just made sense, and the quality of the homes is incredible.  

“The lifestyle here has been everything we hoped for. We both love being active, my husband is really into trail running and competes across Europe, and now he can literally run from our front door and take on a few Munros. There are also beautiful local walks, we spend a lot of time by the River Spey and along the Wildcat Trail. Kincraig and Kingussie are close by too, so there’s always somewhere new to explore. 

“Newtonmore really offers the best of both worlds, it has great amenities and, ironically, it’s the closest I’ve ever lived to a shop, even compared to Edinburgh. You’ve got everything you need day-to-day, but it still feels peaceful and remote. It’s that perfect balance between modern living and Highland life. 

“The Tulloch Homes team have been fantastic throughout. We’re on first-name terms, and even now, they still check in and sort out any small snags quickly. Choosing to move to the Spey Green development has truly been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”