Dog-friendly Hotels Aberdeenshire

A traditional ground floor apartment lying in the elegant Mar Lodge Estate within Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Accessible. WiFi. Braemar 4.2 miles; Ballater 20.9 miles; Aberdeen 60.8 miles.

An opulent first floor apartment part of Mar Lodge near Braemar, Scotland. Within Cairngorms National Park. Balcony. Off-road parking. Access to large grounds. Braemar 4.2 miles; Ballater 20.9 miles; Aberdeen 60.8 miles.

These very comfortable and cosy lodges are in a perfect location for making the most of this fabulous region of Scotland.
Set in the picturesque grounds of Loch Kinord Hotel, backing onto Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve, visitors who enjoy wildlife and walking in the tranquil countryside will find these properties just what they need for a restful holiday. Guests are welcome to make use of the hotel’s facilities, with a fine dining restaurant and bar meals available as well as the lounge bar for sampling the many whiskies on offer, if you feel like a night off from cooking.
The reserve itself lies within the Cairngorms National Park and is a network of wetlands, moors and woods. Numerous bird species, squirrels, martens and a large variety of plant life have made it their home and there are hides throughout the reserve where you can discreetly observe them. The most spectacular aspect however is the Burn-o-Vat, which flows through a massive bowl shape of pink granite (the Vat), a testament to the power of glaciers which carved out the landscape we see today. You can make your way into the Vat through a narrow crack in the rock and listen to the strange echoes of water that seems to pour out of the rocks.
Close to the lodges, there are plenty of other leisure pursuits available in the area, from fishing, pony trekking, gliding, mountain biking and archery as well as skiing at the Lecht and Glenshee. Visit the village of Ballater known for its royal connections, with its artisan shops and eateries or head east to the city of Aberdeen, only a short drive away through Royal Deeside, with cultural attractions for all ages. Lodge B can be booked together with Lodge A (UK33088), Lodge C (UK33089), Lodge D (UK33090), Lodge E (UK33091), Lodge F (UK33092) and Lodge G (UK33093) to accommodate up to 30 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.

This gorgeous cosy cottage has the best of both worlds – peace and quiet with a totally private and enclosed rear garden down a quiet lane, yet just a short walk to Ballater’s fine selection of shops and eateries. A perfect place for that restful holiday in total comfort, Logiemar Cottage has it all. With stylish touches throughout the cottage, the owners have thought of everything to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The eco-credentials are also very much in evidence without compromising on luxury, with a wood-fired hot tub (with bubbles and lights) and a biomass boiler and solar panels, so you will always be warm whatever the weather or time of year. In addition, the delightful living room features a wood burner to relax in front of with a glass of the local whisky or a soothing cup of tea. The bedrooms are decorated in calming colours and while the second bedroom is smaller with a ¾ bed, it is perfect for children or an adult to sleep in real comfort.
Surrounded by amazing scenery and situated on the banks of the salmon fishing River Dee to the west, it’s fascinating history and royal connections are renowned the world over. Being the nearest village to Balmoral Castle, members of the Royal Family are often here, which explains the many ‘By Royal Appointment’ signs that can be seen on local shops and business. For whisky lovers, a visit to the nearby Royal Lochnagar Distillery, which produces one of Scotland’s most exclusive whiskies, is highly recommended. For the energetically minded, there are plenty of opportunities for canoeing and mountain biking, as well as skiing at the Lecht and Glenshee during the winter months. Golfers have a good selection of courses in the area, most notably the local Ballater Golf Club, which is within walking distance of the cottage. An 18-hole golf course, it is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the upper Deeside within a circle of hills, making a round here a true delight. If you like a bit of history and culture, you don’t have to travel far to the castles and gardens at Balmoral, Crathes and Craigievar – all are well worth a visit. With so much to do in this fabulous part of Scotland, be sure to book again to continue your adventures!
Restaurant and pub within ¼ mile. Scottish Letting Licence AS00079F.

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.

A quaint fisherman's cottage in the village of Pennan near Gardenstown in Aberdeenshire. Pet-friendly. WiFi. Enclosed garden. Gardenstown 4 miles; Fraserburgh 11 miles; Aberdeen 43 miles.