New Homes: House That For Turning Full Circle

Sep 7 2008 Raymond Hainey

Gail Moves Back To Home Town After 37 Years

It was a case of Biggar is better when one house-hunting couple decided to stay true to their roots.

Gail Orr and Willie Steel fell in love with a three-bed home in the county town where they grew up.

The pair have moved into their distinctive semi-detached villa, from Teviotdale Homes, in South Lanarkshire.

VisitScotland manager Gail, 49, said: "The idea you could move in and not have to do anything to the house was very attractive."

The couple's home has blue woodencladding highlights on the outside and floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area.

Gail said: "The kitchen and dining area has massive patio windows. I've never seen a house with such big doors.

"The windows in the living room help to make the place bright and airy."

Gail left Biggar when she was 12. She moved back to set up home with haulage worker Willie, 39, at Hartree View after selling her house in Lanark.

She said: "It was never my intention to move back but Willie is Biggar born and bred and loves it.

"It is a lovely area and, now I'm back, I'm totally settled here.

"The area is quiet and the sizes of the houses here appealed."

The former market town has a range of traditional shops and is less than an hour's drive from Hamilton and Motherwell.

Hartree features just 20 houses and the builders have unveiled a new showhome.

Fitted out by IKEA designer Kirsty Barlow, the furniture company is offering owners a 10 per cent cashback voucher on every £1000 spent in store.

The site has terraced, semi-detached and detached homes. The second phase of building is under way, with the houses expected to be ready by Christmas.

Prices start at £179,995 for a three-bed terraced house. For more details, call selling agents Cullen Kilshaw on 01721 723999 or visit www.cullenkilshaw.com