Let us introduce you to our trusted Sales Team Leader, Debbie Johnston, from our award-winning development Highwood in Croy. Located just on the outskirts of Inverness, Croy is surrounded by beautiful Highland countryside and breathtaking scenery. Well connected to Inverness, Nairn, Elgin and the Cairngorms National Park, this new build development offers a selection of stylish, energy efficient houses in a stunning location.

Debbie focuses on Scotia's north of Scotland developments and overseas activity at Highwood in Croy, Baldow Meadows in Kincraig and Dalfaber, our prestigious new development in Aviemore.

Experience

Debbie first started with Scotia in 2005 at our Beauly development and remained with the company for 7 years. After experience with a bespoke developer for 3 years and another small developer for nearly 6 years, Debbie returned to Scotia Homes in August 2021.

Out of Work

Speaking with Scotia's marketing team, Debbie talks of what she likes to do out with working hours: "I enjoy holidays and our midweek ‘weekends’ away, walking (can’t run any more as the knees have given out), a bit of wild swimming, well more of a dook than a swim, listening to music and audiobooks, I love any live music or comedy and the odd gin every now and then 😉 from my extensive collection (of mainly now empty bottles)!"

What do you love most about your job?

"I love being part of what is one of the most exciting times in people’s lives. Being part of that journey is a privilege.

"Having done it for so long I also love it when people challenge my knowledge and ask loads of questions, every day’s a school day!

"Seeing how new developments progress from a drawing to completion is always exciting too, one developer I worked for recorded a time-lapse video of the first phase of a new development which was really interesting as it has a 4 month delay in the middle due to Covid which we decided to leave in, and seeing it happen from clearing the site to completion was fascinating."

Why Scotia Homes?

"It’s important as sales advisors to have a belief in the product we’re selling, I have no doubts at all that Scotia Homes deliver what we’re promising, (if I did, I wouldn’t be here), we don’t always get it right first time but our commitment to quality and customer care is second to none.

"The company’s commitment to employee wellbeing is also to be commended, there’s no judgement if mistakes are made, the acceptance that we’re all only human is heart warming and the company strive to offer many benefits and opportunities to all members of staff.

"Our management have a very real human side and we’re all made to feel important."

What's so special about your current development, Highwood?

"Highwood as a semi-rural development is much lower density than in Inverness so the space around the houses and around the development is a huge selling point for us.

"Also the design of the development is just a little bit different, it has different orientations, rather than just row upon row of houses, and the houses themselves are quite traditional and very spacious with lots of natural light."

What's your favourite housetype at Highwood?

"Between the Gatehouse and the Gardener but the Gardener just edges it.

"It’s a really spacious 3 bed, amazing living space filled with natural light, a cracking kitchen, and the first floor landing has a lovely little ‘nook’ with a tiny wee window where I would have a comfy chair, my vinyl collection and a record player so I could just sit and chill and watch the world go by.

Scotia's Quality

"As well as a high specification, our commitment to quality shines through.

"Our site management teams work with us to make sure the houses are in the best possible shape for NHI and ultimately for handover. Nothing is too much trouble for them. Finding out that Norman was the site manager at Culloden when I was contemplating coming back made the decision very easy."

A Favourite Memory

"It has to be selling at Muir of Ord.

"We sold out 6 months ahead of completion and had 2 clients who had bought smaller houses early in the development who then bought from us again when they got married and had children later on, one of whom bought the last available house.

"It was one of the friendliest developments and I’m still friends with a few clients there to this day.

"Last years Pride in The Job Awards and seeing Norman get the recognition he deserves was amazing, and an actual coach party of American tourists who descended on the showhome in Beauly always stands out as one of the most interesting days.

"Getting soaked by a sprinkler turned on by the gardener when I was talking to clients in the front garden of the showhome and getting locked in the bathroom of a house under construction and having to call the site manager to rescue me are also up there..."

It's fair to say Debbie has seen it all at Scotia! From her expertise of our products to her friendliness with clients and suppliers alike and more, you really do need to pop into our Highwood showhome for a cuppa and a chat with our Debbie.

Our showhome and marketing suite are open Thursday to Monday 10.30am to 5.30pm. Let Debbie take care of you on your next home buying journey: there really is no safer hands to be in.

Highwood is an award-winning, contemporary collection of 3 & 4 bedroom new build homes from £264,950. View development here.