While they are popular in countries such as North America and Australia, purpose-built retirement villages are a relatively recent concept in Scotland’s housing market. By combining the opportunity to continue living independently with the reassurance of care being there if needed, properties designed specifically for retired people offer them many benefits.
There are a few factors that people should consider when buying a new retirement property, not least the level of care they are looking for and the facilities available for use on and near the development. There’s a great selection of new-build retirement property developments available in Scotland at the moment that will suit a variety of interests.
Many of these communities are set in landscaped grounds, letting residents enjoy a pleasant and tranquil setting without having to worry about doing their own gardening, while others are positioned close to a golf course or offer easy access to a major town or city for residents who like to get out and about.

There are 50 acres of grounds at Auchlochan Garden Village in South Lanarkshire, where a 1-bed apartment starts at £95,000
The finishing touches built in to new-build retirement properties are designed to make life a little easier. Features to look for include electrical sockets placed higher on the walls for ease of access, easy-grip lever taps in kitchens and bathrooms and automatic lighting. For buyers hoping to find a property to downsize to in their later years, a purpose-built retirement property could be the ideal move.
A selection of apartments and bungalows is available to buy at MHA Care Group’s Auchlochan Garden Village. The community is set within 50 acres of grounds in South Lanarkshire and amenities include a coffee shop, library, hair-dressing salon and guest facilities for visitors. A team based on-site ensures that care can be provided quickly when needed but also allows residents to live as independently as they like. Prices at Auchlochan Garden Village start at £95,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Further west, in Ferry Village at Braehead, the Kingsferry Court development by McCarthy & Stone offers a selection of 57 one- and two-bedroom homes with prices starting at £119,950. Integrated kitchen appliances are included in the specification and peace of mind comes with the 24-hour emergency call system in place. In the local area you’ll find a large shopping centre as well as the Renfrew Golf Club and Clyde View Park. Glasgow city centre is easily accessible via frequent bus services.

Two cottages remain for sale at Rosemount Golf Retirement Village, priced from £255,000
Argus Care Group has recently opened the Rosemount Golf Retirement Village in Blairgowrie. The development features five ‘close care’ cottages, two of which are still available to purchase. These cottages are fitted with the latest technology, which means, for example, that the bathroom light will automatically come on and off during he night when you get out of bed and snuggle back under the duvet. Prices here start from £255,000. The two-bedroom properties also include a private parking space and a garden. As you might expect from a village built on Golf Course Road, you don’t have far to go to enjoy the fairways of the renowned local golf club.
Situated in the small village of Barbaraville on the north side of the Cromarty Firth, Highland Park Village is a development of homes designed especially to suit over-55s. With 47 two-bedroom detached bungalows and three waterside one-bedroom apartments in addition to a local shop, clubhouse and landscaped grounds, the village really is a complete little community. Properties at the Highland Park Village development are priced from £135,000.
by Maria Brett