Britain’s oldest first-time buyer has finally got a foot on the property ladder – at the age of 90.
Great-grandmother of four Hannah Cameron decided to buy her first house after the death of her beloved husband Bill left her all alone in a large farmhouse.
Feeling more and more isolated, she decided to take the plunge and move out of the property near Moray, Scotland, and strike out on her own.
She is now the proud owner of a cosy £100,000 one-bedroom apartment in the centre of Moray.
The baking fanatic said she has never been happier and now regularly invites her new pals round to her plush pad to devour her tasty cakes.
Hannah, who also has eight grandchildren, said: “At 90 years old, this is my first property purchase, so perhaps I’m one of Scotland’s oldest first-time buyers.
“It’s lovely here and I’m so happy. I’ve made lots of friends since moving here and I always have lots of visitors.
“I had three visitors on Wednesday, two on Tuesday and they all love the flat, although that might have something to with the amount of baking I do.
“The oven was a bit different to what I was used to, but now I’ve got the hang of it I’m baking more than ever.
“I couldn’t go back to a big farmhouse all on my own now. Not after living here.”
Hannah had previously lived on a 200-acre farm on the outskirts of Forres which was inherited by her husband, Bill, who died 10 years ago.
Eventually, looking after the house and gardens became too much Hannah decided to move to the big city, buying the property outright in a cash purchase.
She said: “The last 10 years have been hard for me. I do miss my husband very much, but that’s the way of the world.
“I must have lived in the farmhouse with him for about 50 years, as I moved there at some point in the 1960s.
“But I was struggling to keep on top of things and my daughter, Lorna, was becoming frightened for my safety because I didn’t have any neighbours nearby to look out for me.
“It was hard to leave and I have to admit it took me a while to get settled in here, but now I love it.
“It’s been such a new lease of life for me. I don’t have to worry about a big house and garden any more and it’s always so lovely and warm here.
“The other benefit now is that I don’t have to travel far to buy food, I’ve got a whole host of shops just round the corner.”
The ‘later living’ apartment at Moravia Court is complete with a swanky guest suite for visitors, state-of-the-art laundry facilities, a lift, a dedicated house manager, a secure entry and a 24-hour emergency call system.
Hannah’s daughter, Lorna Dawson, said the move has changed her mother’s life and is so impressed that she is already looking into buying a flat for herself in the same complex for when she retires.
The primary school head teacher, who lives in Aberdeen, said: “I had endured many a sleepless night worrying about my mother and her safety living in a large, drafty farmhouse near Forres.
“Before, I was always concerned because her farmhouse was very isolated, and the ongoing maintenance was getting too much for her and she often felt cold, despite the central heating, and so wasn’t sleeping well.
“Mum’s move to Moravia Court has just solved all my problems.
“I visit every weekend from Aberdeen and whenever possible I use the guest suite that’s available for residents to book for friends or loved ones.
“It’s like staying in a hotel – I just love it.”
Suzanne McElhiney, spokeswoman for estate agents McCarthy & Stone added: “We’re thrilled to hear that Mrs Cameron is enjoying life so much, and that her daughter is able to take comfort from the security and safety that her mum can enjoy here.
“Everything we do is built around a belief that later life can be rich, rewarding and fulfilling.”
