Dog-friendly Hotels Aberdeenshire

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.

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.

Craigclunie is a delightful detached traditional cottage in the heart of the popular Deeside village of Ballater. Boasting a lovely mature fully enclosed south-facing, rear garden, you really wouldn’t know you were so close to amenities such is the quietness of the surroundings. Enjoy a glass of wine or relax with a good book in the spacious conservatory with its leather sofa and which opens onto the garden, while in cooler months the cosy living room with wood burner is the place to be after a busy day out exploring the surroundings.
Ballater is a great base for a relaxing and varied holiday; there is something to do at any time of the year, from visiting distilleries such as the local Royal Lochnagar to hillwalking on some of the many Munro’s in the area and also two driving trails, the Castle Trail and the Whiskey Trail, both ideal for discovering the area; cycling on the Deeside Way, fishing on the River Dee and Balmoral Castle just 8 miles away. Nearby Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre offers day and hourly treks on traffic free routes. The village itself has a host of good eating places, supermarket open 7am-11pm, interesting shops and galleries, while Aberdeen is approximately an hour’s drive away for more cultural activities, theatre and shopping. Shop 150 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

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.

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.

A stunning location and wonderful gardens make this a real stand-out property! This lovely fishing lodge, built on the site of the demolished Blackhall Castle, is a real home from home. Its tastefully furnished interior is beautifully complemented by sweeping lawns and mature trees which were once part of the old castle gardens, and being in a superb position just a couple of hundred yards from the River Dee, there are lovely walks along this delightful river. With plentiful wildlife, you may encounter ospreys, otters, red squirrels and pine martens during a relaxing stroll. The seldom used owner accommodation is attached to the house but the gardens and grounds are all available to be enjoyed by guests at any time. A well stocked trout pond nearby is available for fishing by arrangement with the estate overseer.
Banchory, a bustling market town, is just a couple of miles away and has plenty of interesting shops and eateries as well as being the gateway to Royal Deeside. The area, a favourite haunt, first of royalty and ever since of tourists, has many delights to offer and makes an ideal base from which to explore castles, mountains and coastlines, all within an hour’s drive. Watch the salmon leap at the nearby Falls of Feugh, or visit Crathes and Drum Castle, just two of the many on the Castle Trail which winds its way through the area. A spectacular drive over the high pass of Cairn o’Mount will take you to the village of Fettercairn where there is one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland. Slightly further afield is the delightful village of Ballater, Balmoral Castle (open most of the year to visitors) and skiing at the Lecht, only an hour’s drive. Quad biking, cycling, archery, horse riding and golf (two courses in Banchory itself) are all easily available and walking in the beautiful scenery (try Lochnagar and the Lairig Ghru) adds to the many outdoor activities available in abundance in this magical area. Beach 20 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

Totally renovated, traditionally spacious, detached holiday cottage set in the small hamlet of Inverey, 4 miles out of Braemar on the road to the Linn of Dee. Wide open expansive views to the rear of the heather clad hills and mountains and attractive mature woodland with wonderful walks from the front door. Tracks lead to Derry Lodge and on into the Grampian Mountains. Golf, restaurants and shops in the village. Shop and pub 4 miles.

This detached barn conversion, adjacent to the owner’s home, is located just outside the lovely conservation village of Fordyce, 1½ miles from the Moray coast. A magical place, the village is a warren of narrow streets and beautiful houses still following a medieval plan, and all wrapped around a magnificent centrepiece, Fordyce Castle, simply sitting on a bend in the village street. The holiday cottage is very spacious, comfortable and warm, and takes advantage of the panoramic views of both sea and countryside, with the arched French doors in the living room leading to a sunny sitting-out area at the front. Set within 1 acre of private grounds with dedicated guest outside area with garden furniture and BBQ available.

Fordyce also offers an attractive park opposite the old kirkyard as well as a Victorian garden. The sandy beach at Sandend is a quick drive or a 45-minute walk from the cottage, where local fish can be bought and surfers enjoy the waves. Good coastal walks abound through the old fishing villages of Portsoy and Cullen, or alternatively travel inland through castle and whisky country. There are plenty of golf courses in the vicinity, and the variety of bird and wildlife both onshore and off will please the keen nature lover. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.

This charming holiday home is bright and attractive, tucked away amongst trees in a natural unspoilt secluded spot, 3 miles out of Turriff. A quiet relaxing setting, well placed to visit the various shops, golf course, swimming pool and leisure centre in the town. National Trust properties, Duff House and Galleries are 10 miles.

"Beautiful surroundings with forests, river and countryside walks all waiting to be discovered and savoured..."


These charming holiday cottages (refs SGD and SAAF) are located within the extensive grounds of Aswanley, in the River Deveron Valley. They are peacefully set in secluded locations, enjoying uninterrupted views across beautiful scenery and each has a large LCD TV and its own private garden. Visitors are welcome to explore the Aswanley grounds, where there is an abundance of wildlife, with fishing, rough shooting and deer stalking available by arrangement. The proximity to the River Deveron makes the cottages ideal for fly fishing holidays, especially for those trying trout or salmon fly fishing for the first time, and there are deep pools for swimming. Visitors can explore the area on foot or on mountain bikes - the Moray Monster Trails are 20 miles away. The famous Whisky Trail is nearby and many of the distilleries offer guided tours and the chance to sample the local malts - the local inn has a collection of over 700 bottles of finest whisky! Shops 6 miles.