PEOPLE are making the move from cities to the calm of South Ayrshire to suit a home working lifestyle.

Family-owned housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel are braced for a boom in demand for new homes from “people dreaming of a little more space” as they adapt to the ‘new normal’.

Victoria Plaine has made the move from Glasgow to Greenan Views in Doonfoot with the stunning castle and beach providing a different backdrop.

The librarian, who works at the BBC, is heading from a tenement flat in the city to a three bedroom detached house and is looking forward to having extra room for her home office setup.

Victoria, who is originally from Troon, said: “I have lived in both London and now a flat in Glasgow for 14 years.

“I was brought up in Troon, but the commute into Glasgow for work each day wasn’t something I wanted to do.

“However, during lockdown I was given the option of a blended working model, once restrictions were eased.”

For Victoria, lockdown was a chance to “press the reset button” and reflect on her life.

She instantly began to search for a new home in Ayrshire and was drawn to Doonfoot after falling in love with the coastal area.

She said: “Travelling into the office less frequently meant that I could plan my move out of the city to somewhere near the sea, where I really want to be.

“Doonfoot almost has its own micro-climate and I love spending time there. There is nothing better than a beach walk on a windy day, blowing away all the cobwebs, and soon I’ll have that right on my doorstep.”

Mactaggart & Mickel’s sales teams have been bowled over by a surge in interest for properties in rural and suburban settings, as homebuyers look to leave behind life in and around busy towns and cities in search of more spacious surroundings.

Property giants Rightmove and Zoopla have also noticed a change in the search terms used to find a new home, with more people looking to escape to the country.

One Scots family seeking a better quality of life are swapping the West End of Glasgow for a home in Symington.

Christine, who will soon move to Symington with husband Stellan and their 14-month-old son, said: “We’ve been living in a lovely part of Glasgow but lockdown made us realise we would prefer a place with better home comforts.

“It was hard being stuck in a flat during in lockdown with our young son and with the communal garden being too busy to be socially distant, our bustling neighbourhood being even busier with people everywhere and the parks being closed we came to the conclusion we needed a new place to live.”

Joanne Casey, Director at Mactaggart & Mickel, said: “We know from listening to our customers that they have been dreaming of being able to enjoy a little more space throughout the coronavirus pandemic.”