Pet Friendly Holidays Aberdeenshire

In an area renowned for superb fishing and golf, this wonderful property could not be in a better location! Just 50 yards from the rushing waters of the lovely River Dee and very close to Banchory Golf Course, this spacious and very comfortable accommodation makes full use of its situation, with patio doors from the living room offering an uninterrupted view of the river itself - where fishing may be arranged with the owner (subject to availability). With all modern facilities, it ensures a very relaxing stay in total comfort.
Banchory is a superb base for a varied holiday with Crathes Castle and garden, and Castle Fraser both well worth a visit. Also boasting two golf courses in the town, there is a wider choice in the surrounding area with excellent hillwalking and skiing available in the Cairngorms just a short distance away. A short drive leads to Ballater, where Queen Victoria first arrived in Desside in 1848. Although the line has long since closed, visitors can still visit the elegant train station in the heart of the town centre. Ballater is also an excellent base for local walks and outdoor activities. A popular walk leads to Lochnagar, the much painted and written about mountain by the current Prince of Wales.
Balmoral is easily accessible for the day and the local distillery at Lochnagar is well worth a visit, with tours and tasting of the local malt available. For an alternative day out, Aberdeen - Scotland’s third largest city, is well worth a visit. Many of the parks have been transformed into ‘flower gardens’ and are some of the most beautiful in Britain. There is also an excellent choice of restaurants and pubs and the livley city harbour comes alive in the evening with a number of theatres. Shops ½ mile.

Set in 27 acres of grounds, this delightful house forms the north wing of the owners’ mansion. Dating back to 1687, the house is steeped in history and The Mews was added in 1842. The house has its original 1840 layout. Unfortunately there are no upstairs bathrooms as planning will not allow as the building is B listed. The house is conveniently laid out for family groups or couples with the bedroom areas accessed by two separate staircases on either side of a central lounge and kitchen area. On one side there are 2 adjoining bedrooms one can only be accessed via the other one, ideal for a family but not suitable for unrelated couples. There is a 48 bottle wine fridge in the kitchen which is well equipped but not overly large though you can seat 4 for dining. The dining room seats 8 in comfort.
Outside, guests have free access to the extensive walled garden at the rear and the parkland at the front, inhabited by the owners’ miniature Shetland pony herd and which leads down to a beautiful small lake with an island. An idyllic retreat, guests can explore the grounds or enjoy the many activities available in the area. Nearby, the Hill of Bennachie is a great place for walks, whilst the Lochter Centre near Inverurie (11 miles) offers outdoor activities to suit everyone, from archery to Segway and from go-karting to clay pigeon shooting, and much more! This is castle country and there are 14 of Scotland’s finest to choose from. Golf, fishing, and riding are all within easy reach in the area and there is a good selection of shops and eating places both in Insch and nearby Inverurie. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 800 yards.

Overlooking the gentle meandering bends of the River Dee where wild red deer roam, this former taxidermist’s workshop and cottage has been completely rebuilt under the ‘Mar Estate Golden Jubilee Project’. After lapsing into dereliction, this magnificently appointed property has been restored to its original 1884 timber construction, taking into account every last detail. Further enhanced by the addition of modern day facilities, it stands as a real gem of a holiday home, amidst spectacular scenery. The village is home to the annual Highland Games, the Braemar Gathering. Games were first held here in the 11th century, when contests were set for the local clans in order to pick the bravest and strongest for Malcolm Canmore’s army. Perth is little over an hour’s drive away, as is the beautiful granite city of Aberdeen. Shops 3 miles.

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.

After a day out exploring the dramatic coastline of Aberdeenshire and Moray, come back to this lovely, detached holiday home in the historic fishing village of Inverallochy. A former fisherman’s cottage, it is stylishly furnished with contemporary décor in soothing tones, with a spacious kitchen leading to an enclosed garden area at the front of the house and private parking. Just a very short walk to the seashore, the quiet streets, narrow alleys, and rows of cottages can easily carry you back to a very different time when every cottage had a boat pulled up, and the entire community made use of the seashore washing lines to dry their laundry.

The nearby Inverallochy Golf Club, with its backdrop of rolling dunes, rocky shores and beautiful beaches (there is a sea view from every hole), is a challenge for any golfer. For those without clubs, take the 6km walk from the harbour through the village to Whitelinks Bay, before returning behind the course. Visit Maggie’s Hoose at the end of the street, a mini museum chronicling life in a traditional ‘but n’ ben’ fisherman’s cottage.

Take a trip south along the coast through St Combs and visit the RSPB reserve at Loch of Strathbeg and beyond to one of the best stretches of beach in the country. Inland, the castle trail takes you through the heart of Aberdeenshire with some fine examples well worth a visit. Fraserburgh has plenty of shops nearby, while the city of Aberdeen is just an hour away. Beach 3¾ miles. Shop and restaurant 300 yards, pub 400 yards.

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 lovely, cosy end of terrace cottage is in a quiet street within easy walking distance of Banff’s attractive marina. Enjoy a restful break at any time of the year; the cottage is cheerfully furnished with a good level of comfort and the owners have thought of everything to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable. The favourable climate here ensures long sunny days throughout the summer, ideal for enjoying long beach walks on golden stretches of sand found all along the coast, interspersed with rocky coves and clifftop paths.
By contrast, visit Duff House, a magnificent example of Baroque architecture and Scotland’s premier country house gallery, which houses a rich collection of paintings and other works of art. There are lovely walks along the River Deveron and the well-respected Duff House Royal Golf Course is just at the edge of the town. Banff itself enjoys spectacular sea views, magnificent sunsets, clean air and sea angling. There is plenty to occupy guests from the numerous castles and historic monuments which you will find, along good cycle routes, and pony trekking. Explore the Whisky Trail further inland which wends its way through dramatic scenery, or visit the city of Aberdeen approximately 1 hour away for retail therapy, cinemas and theatre. Beach 200 yards. Shops, pubs and restaurants 200 yards.

Peacefully set just 2 miles from Alford in the beautiful county of Aberdeenshire amid the pastoral countryside of a 400-acre mixed working farm, this delightful semi-detached property was the former Coach House to Whitehaugh House. Lovingly renovated and updated, The Coach House is spacious and its comfortable interior makes a perfect place to relax and unwind after a day enjoying the scenery and activities of this lovely part of Scotland. Skirted by the beautiful River Don and surrounded by the hills of Bennachie and Coreen, the area is ideal to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Salmon and trout fishing on the river can be arranged with the owner.
Enjoy a day out at Alford Transport Museum, Heritage Museum or Railway Museum, where visitors can enjoy a taste of times gone by on one of the beautifully restored trains. Visit Haughton Country Park, or one of the many magnificent castles in the area such as Castle Fraser, Kildrummy Castle with its impressive gardens, or the fairytale Craigievar Castle. The many footpaths and walks in the area are an excellent way to take in the surrounding countryside and views. Golfers can enjoy some lovely courses nearby, including one in Alford itself. The ski slopes of the Lecht offer seasonal skiing and snowboarding when the conditions permit, and Alford also has a dry ski slope. There is easy access to the famous Whisky Trail. For a more cosmopolitan day out, the vibrant city of Aberdeen is only 25 miles away, with its wealth of shops, cultural attractions and eating places. Beach 27 miles. Shops, pub and restaurants 2 miles.

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.

Blissfully set on the Glenkindie Estate, an active sporting and agricultural estate, this lovely property makes an ideal family getaway at any time of year. Winding your way up a private track through the magnificent Glenkindie Estate, you will happen upon Tornahatnach, a charming 19th century detached cottage which has been lovingly converted into a fine holiday home. Home Farm Cottage is in the heart of the estate and forms the wing of a lovely converted clock tower steading. With its own private garden, guests can enjoy the comings and goings of this sporting farm estate. Inside, the rooms are spacious and very well furnished and guests can explore their delightful surroundings with ease. Home Farm Cottage, Tornahatnach and Brow Cottage are conveniently located within walking distance of each other. With numerous walks from the doorstep, this is a real peaceful retreat for couples or families with plenty of space around.

Glenkindie Estate is set amongst glorious scenery at the edge of the stunning Cairngorms National Park, where there are wonderful views in all directions. To the southeast is Royal Deeside, home to many fine castles including Balmoral Castle and several National Trust for Scotland properties. Kildrummy Castle and Gardens is also within easy reach and makes for a great day out. In late summer, the world-famous Braemar Gathering and Highland Games are well worth a visit, and for those who enjoy mountain sports, there are exceptional opportunities as many of the finest Munros (mountains over 3000ft) are found here. The annual Lonach Highland Gathering is also held locally. The Lecht nearby offers seasonal skiing and snowboarding when the conditions permit, and there is easy access to the famous Whisky Trail. The surrounding hills offer the perfect terrain for mountain bikers as well as many road-based cycle routes, whilst golfers can enjoy some lovely golf courses nearby, where visitors are always welcome. Riding in the area offers spectacular treks, and there are numerous wonderful walks available to take through this breathtaking countryside. Whatever time of year you come, there will always be things to see and do. The pretty market town of Alford nearby has a good selection of shops and eateries. Shop 1½ miles, pub and restaurant 5 miles.
Tornahatnach can be booked together with Brow Cottage (ref UK5512), Braemorlich (ref UK10381) and Home Farm Cottage (ref UK10382) to accommodate up to 21 guests.