Katie and Alfie find their dream home in Strathkinness

A Fife mum and her son have found their dream home at Springfield Properties’ Strathkinness development close to St Andrews.

The highly sought-after community features a collection of four and five bedroom family homes, set within an area of natural beauty and tranquillity just three miles from the historic seaside town of St Andrews.

Katie Birrell (39) and her son, Alfie (6), were the first residents to move into the brand new development in June 2023.

Katie said: “Strathkinness was the perfect choice for us. I’ve always lived in and around Fife and wanted to stay close to St Andrews for work. However, we needed more space with Alfie getting older and I knew I’d get much more value for money in nearby Strathkinness.”

Katie, who works as a Development Officer at the University of St Andrews, had no doubt that it was a new build home she was looking for to take her next step on the property ladder. 

Katie said: “Having experience with both older properties and new builds, I’m only too familiar with the unwelcome surprises older properties can bring and having renovated my last house from top to bottom, I was looking for a home that was all new and fresh.

“As soon as I saw the Springfield homes, I was instantly impressed by the high quality of the build and the standard of the finishings throughout and I knew then that a new build was the way to go.”

The wide variety of house styles throughout Strathkinness set amidst tree lined avenues and landscaped gardens help create attractive and interesting streets, with special care taken to merge the development with the surrounding area and enhance the natural beauty which makes this part of the country so popular. 

Katie explained: “I love the location and countryside surroundings of Strathkinness. It’s far enough away from the hustle and bustle of St Andrews town to get peace and quiet, while still being very convenient for my work and Alfie’s school.

“Many new developments feel like long rows of houses which all look identical, but the differences in the home styles and designs at Strathkinness make them feel unique.

“Even though it’s a very new development, with many of my neighbours still to move in, there’s already a lovely community feel. Alfie has already made friends with another boy his age a couple of doors down and there’s a busy playpark nearby. I’ve also joined a Facebook group where they organise exercise classes and book clubs, which has been great for a single mum like myself.”

Finished to the highest standards throughout, the homes are light and airy and are designed to be flexible to suit the ever-changing needs of family life. Katie was initially looking for a four or five bedroom detached home and selected 5 bedroom Kincraig from the outset. While the size was a little bigger then Katie had initially planned for her and Alfie, she soon set her heart on a specific plot as it has a vast back garden that wraps around the side of the house.

A generously proportioned deluxe home that offers a combination of living and entertaining space, the Kincraig has an impressive lounge as well as a spacious open-plan kitchen / dining room with French doors leading directly to the garden. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, the master and the guest both featuring en-suite bathrooms while the other two double bedrooms share a large family bathroom. The house also benefits from a downstairs home office, a utility room and an integrated garage. 

Katie said: “I fell in love with the interior layout and specification of the Kincraig, it really is my dream home. I did lots of research in advance, but I was blown away seeing it for the first time, the floor to ceiling double windows in the lounge are stunning and flood the home with natural light.

“As Alfie gets older, he needs his own space and privacy which this house offers in abundance. The downstairs office was a real draw for me as it helps to separate my home life and work life when I’m working from home." 

From the moment Katie reserved her home to getting the keys the whole process was smooth.

Katie continued: “I was really impressed by all of the sales team who provided excellent communication throughout, always answering any queries I had quickly and honestly. Further to that, every single member of the Springfield team that I’ve dealt with, from the site manager to the labourers, have been wonderful and have dealt with any minor snags promptly and professionally.

“As one of the first to move in, I saw the site team most days and we’ve developed a good rapport. It’s great to see how much they care about their work and how much effort they put into ensuring everything is built to the highest quality.”

Surrounded by beautiful coastlines and cliff top views, the picturesque village of Strathkinness exudes a sense of tranquillity, whilst offering an abundance of amenities just a stone’s through away in neighbouring St Andrews.

Known as the home of golf, St Andrews is a vibrant seaside town bustling with many restaurants, cafes and independent stores. With excellent connectivity by road, rail and bus to wider Fife and beyond, and a local primary and secondary school, Strathkinness offers a great location for the whole family.

The sales office and brand new show home are open from Thursday to Monday, 11am to 5pm. To make an appointment please call 01344 512768 or email strathkinness@springfield.co.uk.