Pet Friendly Holidays Aberdeenshire

A superb five-bedroom Victorian house perched in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire. Pet-friendly. Sauna. Family-friendly. Woodburning stove. Peterhead 10.2 miles; Aberdeen 29.6 miles.

The Annexe at Shieldaig Cottage is situated just over a mile from the picturesque village and golden sands of St Cyrus. It is attached to the owner’s house and completely self-contained with stunning views over open countryside. An entrance porch leads through to the open plan living area, and French doors open onto the pretty patio - an ideal spot for alfresco dining or relaxing with a glass of wine. Adjoining the living area is a modern well-equipped kitchen. There is a very attractively presented kingsize bedroom with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings and a shower room all on the ground floor. The first floor has a further attractive king size bedroom and a second living room with views of the countryside to one side and the sea to the other. A utility room with washing matching and clothes airer is at the side and is a great place to store outdoor clothing.
The village of St Cyrus is located on the east coast of Scotland and is famous for its Nature Reserve, a haven for nature lovers, bird watchers and dog walkers. The village offers local amenities including a village shop and post office, a coffee shop and a hotel, pub and restaurant. A perfect base to explore the coastline, hills and glens which surround The Mearns, home of Lewis Grassic Gibbon, write of A Scots Quair. The Grassic Gibbon Centre is located in nearby Arbuthnot. There is no shortage of good walks within easy reach in and around the Angus Glens, Forfar and Kirriemuir areas.
Other nearby attractions include the towns of Montrose and Stonehaven. Montrose sits on the edge of a tidal lagoon known as the Basin. Just south of the town on the A92 you will find the Basin Wildlife Centre where a resident ranger leads guided walks around the reserve. Montrose is also home to several links golf courses. Stonehaven has a beautiful harbour from where you can take boat trips to experience the rugged coastline and bird life. Beach 2¼ miles. Pub 5 miles.

West Kilblean Cottage is set in the glorious Aberdeenshire countryside and is perfect for that rural break away. Beautifully renovated and decorated throughout the cottage is both inviting and comfortable. Set on a working farm close to Old Meldrum the rural views are just lovely. After a day exploring the area come back to West Kilblean Cottage and enjoy an evening in the garden taking in the peace and tranquillity or, on chillier nights, cosy up in front of the inviting wood burner. With its enviable location just 1½ miles from Old Meldrum where you will find all local amenities including a restaurant and pub, and also within close distance for exploring the many attractions in the area. Bennachie, the local ’mountain’ is just 10 miles from the cottage and offers wonderful walks and views of Aberdeenshire from the sea to the Cairngorms. Only 11 miles distant is the famous Seal Beach at Newburgh and the chance to spot some of the many seals is sure to delight everyone.
Slightly further afield you will find the wonderful sand dunes at Balmedie beach, stretching for over 14 miles, with many walks, a picnic area and a play park, providing a great day out. Inland is the lovely Pitmedden Garden, where you can spend time enjoying the woodland walks or learning about the local history in the Museum of Farming Life. Both Tolquhon Castle and Haddo House provide two great places to explore. Whether you prefer the coast or countryside, West Kilblean Cottage provides a fantastic base from which to explore this dynamic area of north east Scotland. Beach 11 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.
West Kilblean Cottage can be booked together with East Kilblean Cottage to accommodate up to 6 guests.

A romantic ‘castle’ in the heart of the Cairngorms; grandeur and cosy are hard to find together but Craigendarroch House combines the two with ease. In truth, a traditional Scottish baronial Villa modelled on Balmoral Castle, Craigandarroch House with turrets and tower was designed by the architect William Smith who also designed Balmoral, a short drive up along Royal Deeside. You’ll find Craigendarroch House traditionally and stylishly decorated with all the convenience of contemporary living for a comfortable family holiday. Every attention to detail has been made, with comfortable seating and dining in the delightful garden, luxury bed linen and towels and even indoor and outdoor bars. From the moment you come through the gates up the sweeping driveway you’ll appreciate the traditional Scottish architecture with the stunning backdrop of Craigendarroch Hill behind the house. Any sprightly visitors must make the effort to walk up and admire the views from the top – a strenuous but short (30-minute) climb.
Whilst the house has all the convenience of being central to the delightful and busy town of Ballater, it also provides total privacy inside and out. Ballater and the surrounding area has a wealth of restaurants and coffee shops, some within easy walking distance, with the benefit of having the Highlands right on your doorstop for exploring further.
The house is exceptionally well maintained, with six large bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms and three further family bathrooms, all with modern fittings and tastefully decorated. Full central heating throughout is extremely efficient – you will be lovely and cosy in winter and there is an open fire in drawing room. The home benefits from large rooms for all the family, but there are smaller rooms for a quiet game of chess or reading in the snug or conservatory. Overlooking the front garden, the drawing room is large and sunny with seating for whole family, ideal for relaxed entertaining with its large fireplace. There is also a formal oak panelled dining room with wall-to-wall books. There is an indoor bar with TV and wine/beer fridges, perfect for having a wee dram while watching Scotland win the rugby!
There is certainly plenty to explore in the stunning surrounding countryside with the glorious river and mountain landscape of Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, leisurely walks can be enjoyed along the banks of the river while the adventurous can tackle the region’s famous mountains. There are good opportunities for canoeing and mountain biking, as well as skiing at the Lecht and Glenshee Centres during the winter months. Golf is available in Ballater itself, as well as Braemar and Banchory. There are castles and gardens at Balmoral, Crathes and Craigievar which are all well worth a visit.
Slightly further afield, the coastal and whisky trails offer the chance to explore the area’s heritage through stunning scenery. In August and September, Highland games are prevalent in all the towns and villages throughout the region. Shop ¼ mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

A traditional stone-built, split- level cottage nestled in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire. Close to amenities. Pet-friendly. Open-plan. Off-road parking. Peterhead 10.2 miles; Aberdeen 29.8 miles.

This traditional, detached cottage is located in Maryculter near Peterculter, Scotland. Woodburning stove. Pet-friendly. Enclosed garden. Off-road parking. Aberdeen 10.2 miles; Banchory 9.1 miles; Portlethen 9.7 miles; Cove Bay 10.1 miles;

This charming detached cottage is set in an elevated position with panoramic views from the grounds towards the sea at St Cyrus. A steep meandering walk down the hill to the beautiful beach starts from the cottage, and there are fine views over the bay towards Montrose Basin as you go down. The cottage is in a secluded position yet next to two other properties and has its own private, enclosed rear garden. The cottage is bright, fresh and welcoming with a wonderful living room with vaulted ceiling and beams where you can relax in front of the wood burner after an energetic day out.

St Cyrus’ beach is a renowned conservation area and visitors will love the wide sandy spaces, rock pools at one end and the opportunity to spot whales, dolphins, seals and otters which frequent the clear waters. Ornithologists are also well catered for, with the nearby Montrose Basin home to thousands of pink footed geese in winter as well as many other wading birds and seasonal visitors throughout the year.

Montrose itself has plenty of facilities including two golf courses, tennis and bowls, as well as being the venue for Mofest, an annual music festival which attracts big names as well as lesser known acts. Dundee is within easy reach for the culturally minded and a visit to the V&A Museum is a must, as well as the RRS Discovery or a trip to the theatre. Beach ½ mile. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

These two, detached holiday properties are located in the heart of Ballater, within 100 yards of Ballater village green, restaurants, cafés, take-aways and shops, many of which feature the Royal ’By Appointment’ coats of arms. The Coyles (ref UK31466) is an impressive granite Victorian merchant’s house, with all the lovely high ceilings and details you would expect from a period property. Ideal for larger gatherings, whether enjoying a special birthday or a relaxing get together with friends, with plenty of living space and very good amenities throughout to ensure a memorable and convivial holiday. On two levels, it offers a high standard of comfort throughout and is a great choice at any time of the year. Built in 1888 using local granite, pitch pine and slate, it’s a true Victorian gem. It has its own enclosed garden and grounds, and enjoys lovely rural views to the south to Craig Coilleach. Quiet and secluded, the gardens are largely laid to lawn with a variety of mature trees and several flower borders with a variety of shrubs. There is a handy shed for bike and kayak storage, and for outdoor entertainment there is a paved patio area, with outdoor seating and barbecue. The Coyles Cottage (ref SBH) has its own garden and grounds and is well equipped throughout with a lovely sunny conservatory, and benefits from triple glazing and central heating throughout, affording year-round comfort.
Ballater sits in the heart of majestic Royal Deeside and is also located in the Cairngorms National Park, making it one of Scotland’s most scenic visitor spots. It boasts cosy cafés, quality restaurants, excellent shopping and great links to outdoor adventure, including hiking, climbing and skiing. Golf can be played in the beautiful surroundings of the 18-hole Ballater golf club and fishing is available, with the appropriate permits, on the River Dee. Ballater has many links to the Royal family and historic castles nearby include Balmoral, Crathes and Craigievar. The Grampians offer wonderful hill walking and wildlife, and the surrounding area of Deeside is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Leisurely walks abound on the banks of the River Dee or within a few miles there’s great walking at Burn O Vat, Lochnagar and Loch Muick.
Deeside is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast with a wide and varied range of sporting activities. The area has excellent hill walking and on/off road cycling facilities and the ski centres at Aviemore, Glenshee and the Lecht are within a short travelling distance. For the sportsman, the River Dee is one of the most popular salmon rivers in Scotland and the River Don is famous for its trout. Deer stalking and grouse shooting can be arranged in the locality. Relatively central for interesting and varied days out, the city of Aberdeen can be reached in around an hour, with Dundee, Perth and Inverness all accessible within 2 hours’ drive through spectacular scenery. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 13 guests.

This superb ground-floor property rests in the village of Finzean, near Aboyne, in Scotland. Open-plan. Woodburner. En-suite. Aboyne 7 miles; Aberdeen 26.6 miles.

Pretty detached, two storey cottage nestled in the popular seaside village of Whitehills, Aberdeenshire. WiFi. Garden with patio and outdoor furniture. Electric stove. Shop and pub 3 mins walk; marina 5 mins walk.