Beautifully refurbished 19thChouse on a vast estate, with hot tub and private River Cabin for wild swims and outdoor cookouts (sleeps 6)
Space & setting.
Once the caretaker’s house of this 15,000 acre estate, North Lodge has been sensitively updated to form a colourful, sophisticated home-from-home. With 3 bedrooms, a big living room and a spacious kitchen-diner, there’s space for a family or group of friends to spread out comfortably. Put your phone away (there’s no reception anyway), it’s the communion with great outdoors that really sets this bolthole apart.
Down a winding footpath, your private River Cabin – shimmery in the dappled woodland light with its corrugated iron and wood cladding – is a grown-up Wendy house in the wilds, and this bend in the river is your personal playground. Set up camp here during the day to picnic on the veranda, wade in the shallows, sizzle sausages on the Big Green Egg, or soak in the wood-fired hot tub while listening to the waters rushing seawards. Even on cooler days it’s a princely spot to come and loaf about with a book and biccies by the woodburner. The wider estate is full of adventure – walks across rugged moors and up craggy tors; foraging, yoga, bushcraft — but most who come here just hunker down and stay in this unforgettable private idyll.
Getting here: best to drive (40 mins from Aberdeen airport), but you can train to Stonehaven, then taxi (35 mins)
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Sustainability.
All cleaning products are eco-friendly. The water is from a natural spring. Where possible, everything is recycled.
Surrounds.
- Explore the Scottish wilderness: vast moors, rocky crags and big skies. Clachnaben Tor offers fantastic views over the surrounds, and the autumnal landscapes are breathtaking. Maps and suggested loops await.
- Swim in the clear, cool waters of the rivers that lace the landscape; the owners will point you to their favourite spots.
- Adventurous on-site activities include bushcraft, Vinyasa yoga, wild wellness and more. Help yourself to eggs from the estate’s chickens, and seasonal produce from their veggie garden, too.
- Enjoy the big screen at the estate’s private-hire cinema (at the Estate hub). Popcorn, s’mores and BYO beers promise a fun evening.
- Fill the larder and browse the local crafts or send a postcard back home from Finzean Farm Shop. (The honey, wild venison and home-reared beef will give you some of the freshest local flavours).
- Spot butterflies, skylarks and lizards among the dunes at St Cyrus; a sandy windswept beach.
- Visit the evocative coastal ruins of Dunnottar Castle, once an impregnable fortress and host to ancient celebrities including William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots.
- While at the coast, feast on the catch of the day with a seafood feast at The Tolbooth.
- Fill up on traditional fayre at The Boat Inn at Boyne, a cosy, old coaching inn on the banks of the River Dee.
- Walk the circuit around Loch Muick, part of the Balmoral Estate, ringed with mountains and Scottish scenery, and a particular favourite of Queen Victoria. After wet weather, take the path through the woods to visit Glas Allt Falls as they cascade over the rocks.
- In winter, enjoy the pistes and snow sports of the Glenshee ski area.
- Take a distillery tour to learn how one of Scotland’s most famous exports is made. Fettercain and Royal Lochnagar Distilleries are both excellent.
Specifics.
- Semi-detached house on a 15,000-acre estate
- 3 bedrooms: 2 doubles + 1 twin
- 2 bathrooms (shower room downstairs + bath and separate shower upstairs); toiletries provided
- Fully equipped kitchen including range cooker, fridge freezer and dishwasher; basics provided
- Homemade ready meals can be pre-ordered for your arrival
- Travel cot and high chair available on request
- Lovely lounge warmed by a fire with books, board games, record player and records
- River Cabin with fire pit and Big Green Egg BBQ (starter supply of firelighters and charcoal provided)
- Private wood-fired hot tub
- No 4G signal but good WiFi; landline is available
- Staff available by phone should you need anything
- Bike hire available nearby
- Wood-fired sauna available to use
- On-site food and merchandise shop at the main hub (4 miles)
- Drive to shops, pubs and restaurants (15-60 mins)
- Dog-friendly!
- Booking conditions: stay Monday-Friday or Friday-Monday
- Remember to pack: extra charcoal and firelighters, walking boots, swimmers
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30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay.
See our full booking Ts & Cs
FAQs.
In 4pm / out 10am
Yes absolutely, and there’s no charge. Please keep them off the furniture and pick up after them. On the wider estate they need to be kept on a lead or under close control.
Bed linen, towels and tea towels, and a starter supply of loo rolls and kitchen paper. The food starter pack has olive oil, salt, pepper, tea bags and locally roasted coffee beans in it. Logs and kindlings are also supplied.
The Glen Dye Grocery store sells sell excellent store cupboard essentials, delicious homemade ready meals and their own eggs. Open Mon-Fri 9-5, and Saturday 9-12.
Yes, you can place an order from the Glen Dye Grocery Store and they will deliver it to your accommodation for your arrival.
Yes. The sauna is situated in The Sawmill, and bookable in advance for 3-hour-long private slots.
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