Guests say
Craigendarroch House in Ballater is consistently praised for its charm, cleanliness, and excellent facilities, including a hot tub and bars. Guests find it spacious and comfortable, ideal for families and large groups. The property's location is perfect for exploring the Cairngorms and enjoying local amenities. Hosts Dawn and Michael are commended for their hospitality and attention to detail, contributing to memorable stays.
Reviewers unanimously mention the spotless condition of the property, highlighting its meticulous maintenance and cleanliness throughout their stay.
The property's location is highly praised for its tranquility while being conveniently close to the town centre, with easy access to local shops, restaurants, and natural attractions.
Guests describe their stays as comfortable and relaxing, with the property providing warmth, cosiness, and ample space for groups of various sizes.
The property boasts a range of well-maintained facilities including a hot tub, bars, and a fully equipped kitchen, all of which are frequently appreciated by guests.
The hosts' thoughtfulness is evident in their warm hospitality and the provision of festive decorations during Christmas stays. While such personal touches are greatly appreciated, they may vary and are not guaranteed for every visit.
About this property
Enjoy a holiday in your very own castle! Modelled on Balmoral Castle, this delightful house is spacious enough for all the family..
Ground Floor:
Living room: TV, Sky Movies, DVD Player, Open Fire
Dining room: Books
Kitchen: Breakfast Area, Electric Oven, Induction Hob, Aga, Microwave, Fridge, Dishwasher
Living room 2: TV, Sky Movies, Open Fire
Utility Room: Fridge/Freezer, Washing Machine
Living Room 3: TV, Wine Cooler
Wet Room: Shower, Heated Towel Rail, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 1: Super Kingsize (6ft) Bed, TV, Sky Movies, Dressing Area
Ensuite: Bath, Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 2: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV, Sky Movies
Bedroom 3: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Wet Room: Shower, Heated Towel Rail, Toilet
Second Floor:
Bedroom 4: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV
Bedroom 5: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV
Bedroom 6: 2 x Kingsize (5ft) Beds (Flexible Sleeping Only), TV, Sky Movies.
Oil central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Fuel for open fires available locally. Travel cot and highchair. Large, enclosed lawned garden with 2 summerhouses, garden furniture, bar with TV and karaoke, and gas BBQ. Hot tub. Bike store. Private parking for 5 cars. No smoking.. 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.
Free WiFi
There are low ceilings, doors and/or beams within the property.
Suitable for up to 2 pets
Reviews (19)
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Tina Robbins
A truly magical Christmas stay in a beautiful Scottish castle.We had the most incredible stay here over Christmas and honestly couldn’t have wished for a more perfect place. Staying in a castle with such character and history was something really special, and the traditional décor only added to the charm and atmosphere – it felt authentic, warm and wonderfully festive.Dawn and Michael had decorated the castle beautifully for Christmas, with tasteful, festive decorations throughout and two stunningly dressed Christmas trees. It was absolutely beautiful and made the whole place feel magical from the moment we arrived.The open fires were absolutely lovely and made the whole place feel so cosy, especially on winter evenings, and the hot tub was a fantastic bonus – such a treat after long walks in the fresh Highland air. The castle was beautifully maintained, spotlessly clean and had everything we needed for a comfortable, relaxing stay.The location in Ballater is stunning – a truly beautiful village with great walks right on the doorstep and gorgeous scenery in every direction. It was the perfect base for exploring during the day and relaxing in the evenings.Dawn and Michael were absolutely wonderful hosts – so welcoming, kind and helpful, and they really went out of their way to make our stay special. They genuinely made the experience even more memorable.We had a fabulous, unforgettable Christmas here and can’t recommend it highly enough. We would return in a heartbeat.
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Tim Upton
Craigendarroch House was a real find. It's located a quarter mile from the town centre - but you wouldn't know it - it's set back from the road and very quiet. It’s the kind of place you relax into straight away. The grounds are lovely and Ballater with shops, restaurants, take-aways and bars is close enough to stroll into. The perfect base for exploring the Cairngorms.What made it for us was how easy and well-run everything felt. The house is large (great for hide & seek with the children), warm, comfortable, clean, and for 3 families of 9 people just quietly luxurious in a very Scottish, unshowy way. We came for a break and left properly recharged. We’ll be back and would recommend it without hesitation.
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Maureen Cameron
Our week long stay was amazing from start to finish. The home is stunning - spotlessly clean, very comfortable, spacious and equipped with everything you might need, including kitchen essentials. The hot tub and bar were a hit with everyone! The location was perfect, peaceful and relaxing yet only a five minute walk to coffee shops, restaurants, bars and a supermarket. The owners were absolutely lovely and incredibly accommodating, they were easy to communicate with, flexible with our arrival time, and happy to answer any questions and offered tips on where to eat. There were 12 of us, ages from 14 to 70, and two dogs! We hope to return and highly recommend this to others.