Pet Friendly Holidays Aberdeenshire

Constructed in 1864, this picturesque, renovated church building that has been lovingly restored making it a luxurious place for you and your family or friends to stay. Its exterior form has happily been retained, bearing clear witness to its original function, whilst inside a stained glass window is the central feature to the first floor living room. Other features of note include high ceilings, large windows, plenty of spacious accommodation and large mature gardens. The majority of the living space is to the ground floor. The open plan kitchen and dining area with sliding door opening to the rear garden was formerly the church hall. Five bedrooms have been stylishly designed, along with a contemporary bathroom and two additional shower rooms, whilst a cinema and games room will keep you busy on a rainy day. The extensive gardens of an acre comprise of a woodland driveway to the front. The enclosed rear garden has mature trees and shrubs, including a monkey puzzle tree, lawns and three patio seating areas. The summerhouse and patios are the ideal place for enjoying a morning coffee or evening drink while taking in the surrounding views and starlit sky.

The property is nestled in a very beautiful part of Scotland and offers many activities in short striking distance, including walking, cycling, golfing, fishing and the seaside. The property is just 3 miles from Mintlaw, home to Aden Country Park covering 230 acres. Recognised as one of Scotland’s top green spaces, the park is a popular spot for walkers, cyclists and families thanks to its picturesque surroundings and busy events calendar. Mintlaw hosts a wide variety of amenities including pub, takeaways and local supermarket.

8 miles to the east is Cruden Bay, which has a sweeping expanse of pink sands and dunes approximately 1½ miles in length. This sandy beach is popular with day trippers, water sports enthusiasts and for sea fishing. Here you can also visit the remains of Slains Castle, once a place where celebrities were entertained on numerous occasions in the 19th Century. One of the most notable guests was Bram Stoker and it is believed the castle is the inspiration for the setting of ’Count Dracula’. 14 miles south of Torreagles is Newburgh beach, home to a colony of around 400 seals, adjacent to which are Forvie Nature Reserve and Foveran Links, a site of special scientific interest.

Golfers will appreciate numerous challenging courses less than a half hour’s drive from the property, including three of Scotland’s top twenty championship courses, Cruden Bay Golf Club, Trump International Golf Links and Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. Whatever you decide to do during your stay, this is an ideal base to explore this lovely part of Scotland. Beach 8 miles.

This is a birdwatcher’s paradise and is within an easy walk of the village shop, café and hotel. Furnished with care to maximise the light, inside this single-storey property there are full length picture windows in the bright living room and a well-equipped kitchen. The extensive garden with mature trees and expanse of lawn, is a wonderful sun trap to enjoy after a brisk walk along the beautiful sandy beach.

St Cyrus beach is nestled at the bottom of the cliff, which is accessed either by a steep walk from the local church just a few hundred yards away, or for the less adventurous, there is an easy drive down to the beach on the outskirts of the village at the nature reserve. A walk along the shoreline offers a good chance of spotting porpoises and other marine life in the clear waters. The spectacular cliffs and dunes are a National Nature Reserve and home to a variety of wildlife - peregrine falcons and fulmars are often spotted, as well as divers and other sea birds. Deer inhabit the wooded area at the top, and rare butterflies and plants can be found throughout the reserve. The owner has thoughtfully provided binoculars for your enjoyment. St Cyrus is between Montrose and Stonehaven, both bustling seaside towns with golf courses, shops and leisure centres, whilst inland the Angus Glens are easily reached for some excellent walks and spectacular scenery. Fishing is also available locally. Beach 300 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

This well-furnished, terraced property is situated down a quiet street in the popular coastal town of Banff, just a short walk from the harbour and vibrant marina. There is a good variety of shops, pubs and eating places as well as many historic buildings, which ensures there is plenty to do in the immediate vicinity.
The bright and airy interior has been thoughtfully furnished to provide a good standard of comfort with spacious bedrooms and a cosy living room, which also includes a dining table comfortably seating four. This leads into a well-equipped kitchen, with a full range of implements including a slow cooker and basic store ingredients to help create the family meals which could be enjoyed al fresco in the enclosed rear garden, also ideal for sitting out on sunny afternoons.
Nearby is Duff House, a magnificent example of baroque architecture, and Scotland’s premier country house gallery, housing a rich collection of paintings and other works of art and the well-respected Duff House Royal Golf Course is a challenge for any golfer. There is also another course at Tarlair in nearby Macduff, just a mile around the bay.
There are lovely walks along the River Deveron which feeds into Banff Bay having a lovely sandy, dog friendly beach. Banff itself enjoys spectacular sea views, magnificent sunsets, including the possibility of spotting the Northern Lights between October and March, clean air as well as river and sea angling. There is plenty to occupy the visitor in the surrounding area, from golden sandy beaches (the majority of which are dog friendly) stretching from Banff to Nairn, to the numerous castles and historic monuments which abound. There are cycle routes and pony trekking, and make sure you explore the Castle and Whisky Trails further inland, which wend their way through dramatic scenery.
The lively city of Aberdeen, around 1 hour away, is great for retail therapy, cinemas and theatre. Inverness is around 2 hours away, the gateway to Loch Ness which leads down to Fort William.
Beach ¾ mile. Shops ¼ mile, quiet local pub 175 yards and restaurants ½ mile.

Auld Kirk Hall is a stunning, recently converted village hall that offers guests a great level of comfort throughout and retains some amazing features, including a vaulted roof within the living space. Upon entering the property, you are met with a stunning, hand crafted dog leg staircase leading to the first floor. The main living space is open plan and comprises of a superb kitchen/breakfast area with a central cooking island. This continues into a formal dining area, and beyond extends into the sitting area with comfortable leather furniture that wraps around a wood burner. The living area has French doors that lead to a private patio and an enclosed garden. On the ground floor there is a double bedroom and a bathroom with a shower over, there is also a utility room. On the first floor there are two bedroom suites, one triple room consisting of one single bed and one trudle which can be changed from single to double or two singles. The other upstairs bedroom is a kingsize, both have their own private en-suite shower rooms.

This fantastic area of Scotland is a haven for golfers with many courses nearby, including Royal Tarlair, Duff House and Turriff. Walkers and cyclists will also enjoy the many walks available. Why not try a walk along the stunning coast, exploring the small bays and beaches along the way? Take in views of the Moray Firth and try a spot of dolphin watching. Fishing in the River Deveron is also a popular pastime here. The Macduff Distillery is also a great place to visit and situated less than 2 miles from Bears Haven. This area is also home to some wonderful beaches, with many easily reachable. There really is something for everyone in this fascinating region of Scotland. Shop 8 miles, pub and restaurant 4 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.

Murlin is a stunning, reverse plan holiday home nestled in an elevated position with unrivalled views over the coast and beyond. There is an abundance of beautiful walks to be enjoyed in the area, some leading down to the beach, making this a truly magical place.
On the ground floor are two bedrooms, both with super kingsize beds and stunning en-suite shower rooms. There is an additional family bathroom and a utility room with a washing machine and tumble dryer, great for drying off after a busy day of exploring. There is an integral double garage with electric door, and within the garage are dog crates and a shower for your four legged friend! Upon heading upstairs, the natural light and views are breathtaking with floor to ceiling sliding doors which lead you to the balcony, boasting views over the coast and sea. The living space is open plan and offers a superb level of comfort. This extends into the beautiful hand crafted and well-equipped kitchen with a wraparound breakfast bar and a walk-in larder. The dining area leads off of the kitchen and is a comfortable space to enjoy home cooked meals together. There are two further bedrooms on this floor, both with kingsize beds and en-suite shower rooms. Outside is a nice garden with a seating area, garden furniture and a gas barbecue, perfect for some al-fresco dining.
Collieston is a former fishing village that provides dramatic views all year round. Just 5 miles away are Newburgh and Cruden Bay golf courses, and the Trump International links course is within a 10-mile drive. There are a number of amazing beaches to visit nearby, including Cruden Bay, Newburgh and Balmedie to name but a few, all within 10 miles! A visit to the neighbouring village of Newburgh to see the seals is a must, as is a tour around the famous BrewDog Brewery located in Ellon. The larger city of Aberdeen is 16 miles away and provides plenty of amenities and attractions. Beach 200 yards. Shop 6 miles, pub and restaurant 5 miles.

Lovingly and painstakingly renovated with care and attention, Greve Cottage is a delightful place to spend some relaxing time away with family or friends. The interior is warm and welcoming, with a high-ceilinged living room with a wood burner, opening onto the enclosed garden. There is an open plan kitchen/dining area, utility room and bedroom with en-suite Jack and Jill bathroom on the ground floor. Whilst upstairs, two double bedrooms also share another Jack and Jill bathroom. This is ideal family accommodation in a peaceful environment. Boasting superb uninterrupted views over the Howe o’ the Mearns, the elevated position makes the most of the scenery and the enclosed garden is lovely to sit in and drink in the view. The owners have built an enclosed barbecue hut, allowing al fresco dining even on cooler days.
There is much on offer in the surrounding area, with gorgeous sandy beaches at St Cyrus and Montrose an easy drive away. Wildlife is here in abundance, with osprey, otters and many wading birds spotted at the mouth of the River Esk, leading to the sea. River fishing is available by arrangement on the North Esk, while, inland, there is excellent walking in the five Angus Glens, with routes for hillwalkers and ramblers alike. Greve Cottage is just 2½ miles from St Cyrus, 4 miles north of the bustling seaside town of Montrose and 30 miles south of Aberdeen. Dunnottar Castle, Glamis Castle, the House of Dun and Fettercairn Distillery are worth a visit or alternatively take the Cairn o’ Mount Road to Royal Deeside, which winds through glorious scenery.
Maximum occupancy 6 guests.

Located within the picturesque and bustling village of Ballater, and within the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, Eleanor Cottage is the owner’s family home and provides a wonderful contemporary environment whilst retaining its original charm. The hub of this detached cottage is the amazing open-plan living space, which is very spacious and flooded with natural light. In contrast, the older part of the cottage has a cosy snug with a second wood burner providing a tranquil space in which to relax. Both external doors open into the fully enclosed, private, south-facing garden with a barbecue and patio area set up for outdoor dining, and a summer house which provides a welcoming, informal space.
Ballater has a supermarket, pubs, cafés, restaurants and an array of independent shops many of which boast ‘By Royal Appointment’ to either HM The Queen and/or HRH The Prince of Wales.
There is an abundance of things to do including hiking, walking, cycling, climbing, golf, tennis, fishing, bowling or skiing options. It is a brilliant place to simply pack a picnic, pick up your camera or sketch book and breathe in the fresh mountain air. There are lots of options for days out including a visit to a neighbouring village for a tour of a castle (there are several, including Balmoral which is the highland home to the Royal Family); a tour of a whisky distillery or perhaps enjoy the sights and sounds of a traditional Highland games. The city of Aberdeen is an hour’s drive, with its many cultural and leisure attractions while inland, the ski resorts of Glenshee and Cairngorm are an easy drive through spectacular scenery.

This is the perfect getaway spot to unwind and enjoy everything the area has to offer. The northeast coast is dotted with many villages and small towns, all worth a visit. The larger towns of Banff, Fraserburgh and MacDuff offer excellent local services. This ‘home from home’ is surrounded by beautiful walks to enjoy.
If you fancy a break from cooking embark on an adventure to Gardenstown just 3 miles from the property and tuck into a home-cooked meal at the local hotel, then take a romantic stroll along the sandy bay to savour the sunset.
Crovie Clifftop Path for walkers with panoramic coastal sights, enjoy peace and quiet at the secluded Cullykhan Beach or marvel at the historical landmark of St. John’s Church and Kirkyard. For wildlife lovers a visit to the RSPB reserve at Troup Head is a must and of course boat trips (Early booking advised) onto the Moray Firth will ensure a good view of the famous dolphins as they pass by.
Fraserburgh just a short 30-minute drive is filled to the brim with fantastic amenities including supermarkets, boutique shops, pubs, and eateries, as well as the attractions such as the exceptional Fraserburgh Harbour and Beach. Strichen Stone Circle, the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Strichen Community Park, and a full-size lighthouse built within Kinnaird Head Castle are all worth a visit. Discover awe-inspiring views where the North Sea meets the Moray Firth, heading over to a variety of charming villages and fishing ports for some locally sourced delicacies and exciting water sports and boating opportunities. Other must-see attractions include the Macduff Marine Aquarium, the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, history buffs may wish to visit the town of Banff to tour a magnificent Georgian mansion or if that’s not for you, tee up at Duff House Royal Golf Club.

This detached home from home offers outstanding accommodation in the highly desired rural area, just 1 mile outside the historic town of Huntly. Sleeping up to six guests with two bathrooms, a hot tub and cosy wood burner. The owners provide toiletries for guests as well as hot tub towels and slippers - and your four-legged friends are pampered, too, with lots of doggy extras. Surrounded by fields and rolling hills with forest walks and fishing (both loch and river) nearby, Gardeners Cottage makes a wonderful base for a family or couples to explore this exciting area of Scotland.
The property is a peaceful detached dwelling settled in the beautiful 25 acre woodland grounds of the owner’s house where you will find a rich, diverse population of wildlife including pine martens red squirrels, buzzards and more. Outside there is a large dog kennel with an indoor and outdoor area.
On the ground floor the open plan living/dining/kitchen space creates a fantastic area for gathering together to plan the days adventures, whilst a second separate living room/snug with wood burner is a cosy place to snuggle up in front of the fire with a good book. A well-equipped kitchen will be a dream for any budding chef on holiday with everything you need to whip up a holiday feast. The three bedrooms, two doubles and one twin room, along with a family bathroom can be found on the first floor. Whilst an additional family shower room, with walk-in shower is located on the ground floor.
Huntly can be found situated alongside the river Deveron, surrounded by the marvellous Scottish countryside and plenty of activity. Boasting history at its centre in its magnificent castle and the Brander Museum, and its being part of the famous Whisky Trail, it offers something for everyone. Take a stroll through the Clashindarroch Forest, or dive into adventure with some roller skiing. Close to the towns of Keith and Dufftown with even more exciting attractions, Huntly is a great base for your Scottish adventure.
Sitting between the dramatic east coastline and the towering peak ridges of the Cairngorms National Park are the hills and glens of Aberdeenshire. This area has a range of habitats that is matched only by the variety of wildlife that lives in them. Whether you’re a keen nature enthusiast or just want to spot wildlife when on one of the many superb walks and cycle routes through Aberdeenshire, this is a region that is alive with nature! Sit at the picnic area in the Huntly Peregrine Wild Watch Centre and look out for the area’s residents including voles, great spotted woodpeckers, butterflies and roe deer. Beach 19½ miles.