An Edinburgh couple are celebrating their first Christmas in their new home with a little help from housing minister Kevin Stewart.

The minister popped in to say hello to Dunedin Canmore tenants Mary and John Stewart in their new home in Muirhouse in north Edinburgh.

Mary and John, along with their 17-year old grandson Cameron, moved in to their new home – one of 80 new, energy-efficient homes in the development – in July.

And it’s not only the couple who love their modern, spacious new home – their cats love their garden too.

John, 62, said: “We’re chuffed to bits with it. We didn’t have a garden before. This garden is big enough for our six grandkids to run about in and the living room doors open up right onto the patio.

“In our old flat the cats had to stay indoors, now they can get out and explore.”

Mary, 55, said: “We love being so close to town. The bus routes are amazing. We’ve met most of our neighbours and they’re all really nice. Cameron’s never in – he’s always out and about chatting to people.”

Housing minister Kevin Stewart popped by to welcome the couple into their new home this week.

He said: “It was a great pleasure to meet John and Mary today. They’re absolutely cock-a-hoop with their new home and I’m really pleased that it’s made a real difference to their lives.

“A warm affordable home is what we want we want to see for everyone in Scotland.”

The new homes in Muirhouse are a mix of one and two-bedroom flats, traditional four-in-a-block flats, and large family houses.

A total of 64 of the homes are for social rent, while 16 are for mid-market rent, let and managed by Dunedin Canmore’s partners in Wheatley Group, Lowther Homes.

Dunedin Canmore managing director, Hazel Young, said: “I’m really pleased to hear that Mary and John are so delighted with their new house.

“These homes in Muirhouse are just some of the 474 new affordable homes that we started work on in the last year. We also have 209 new homes in development.

“I hope that Mary and John have many happy years to come in their home.”