Sunnybrae, a beautiful highland house in the Scottish Highlands, offers a secluded retreat amidst its own sunny garden. With 4 bedrooms, modern kitchen/dining-room and family room with sofa bed it is an ideal base for hill walking and exploring nearby Balmoral Castle and Cairngorms.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7130 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Fabulous sunny house in large private gardens. Sun porch & patio. Mountain views
Sunnybrae is a beautiful highland house with full modern gas central-heating and hot water.
It stands in its own secluded sunny garden of 1/2 acre with easy access ( about 5 mins walk ) to the village of Braemar in the Scottish Highlands. Faces due south, and has double glazed windows looking out on magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. Walks lead directly to the moors and hills, or down to the river Dee; close by are Balmoral Castle, Ballater and, of course, the Cairngorms. Braemar is excellently situated as a base for hill walking, golf ( 18-hole golf course), touring, skiing, fishing or simply a peaceful holiday at any time of the year.
4 bedrooms - 3 double (one with a queen-size double bed; two with two matching singles ) and 1 single bedroom - all have good beds and mattresses;
Large lounge Sun-porch with seating and views to garden and mountains;
Modern open kitchen/dining-room with electric double-oven cooker, fridge freezer, microwave;
Family-room/TV room.
Utility room with washing machine; 2 Bathrooms - one with full shower, and one with bath and shower attachment .
Free Wireless broad band WiFi. It is a wonderful location with great privacy, a large mature garden and wonderful views to the mountains, but still within only 400m or so from the village supermarket and shops. It is a wonderful location with great privacy. The skies above us in winter are ink-black and intoxicating - perfect for star-gazing! (when did you last see the Milky Way .....?!)
Property amenities
Ski
Close to skiing
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Music library
Stereo
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
Up to 25 kg per pet
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Step to reach entrance
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
In a village
In the mountains
Things to do
Golf
Snow sports gear
Tennis
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
If you wish to bring more than one dog, please contact us at time of booking to discuss the dog type and size. The charge is £40 per dog per week.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 25 kg per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: For more than one, please contact owner
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number AS00237F.
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
Located in Ballater, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Balmoral Castle and Braemar Highland Games Centre are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Braemar Golf Club and Meall Odhar. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling, mountain biking and horse riding nearby. Visit our Ballater travel guide
Is Fabulous sunny house in large private gardens. Sun porch & patio. Mountain views pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Fabulous sunny house in large private gardens. Sun porch & patio. Mountain views?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Fabulous sunny house in large private gardens. Sun porch & patio. Mountain views?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Fabulous sunny house in large private gardens. Sun porch & patio. Mountain views?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Fabulous sunny house in large private gardens. Sun porch & patio. Mountain views located?
This family-friendly Ballater holiday home is located in the mountains, within a 10-minute walk of Braemar Highland Games Centre and Braemar Golf Club. Glenfiddich and Braemar Castle are also within 1 mile (2 km).
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Fabulous sunny house in large private gardens. Sun porch & patio. Mountain views Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The cottage is fantastic, with tons of character, an amazing kitchen for cooking and dining, and a gorgeous south-facing garden. We loved our time in the home and in Braemar and hope to be back soon. The host was amazing and communication with her was seamless.
The property has everything you could need and the garden is spectacular. Anna was so helpful with information and advice running up to our visit. The location of the property is unbelievable and all of us were blown away with the scenery. I can’t recommend enough.
The property was clean and comfortable with all the facilities expected. The garden was spectacular with red squirrels, rabbits and plenty of wildlife. The collection of books and artworks in the house was much appreciated. This is not a property if for those wanting flashy or ultra modern but it is a fabulous place to stay to enjoy the Cairngorms.
Fabulous well-located property. Very convenient for exploring Deeside. The large eat-in kitchen had everything we needed to cook and gather together. Plenty private spaces for spreading out and enjoying a little peace and quiet, too. The bedrooms were comfortable and the bathrooms had everything we needed. Communication with Anna was perfect throughout. Highly recommend!
A great family friendly home from which to explore all the wonderful activities and sights Deeside has to offer. Located near the Braemar Highland Games Center, the location is quiet but close to both the center of the village and the Dee River. We particularly enjoyed the summer evenings spent in the large beautiful backyard.
A lovely, quiet place to stay just a short walk into the village of Braemar. The bonus is that you can walk to the trailheads of two great hikes, one up Morrone and one up Creag Coinnich. The house is well-equipped with comfortable couches and good reading lights (so many houses seem to think no one ever reads!) The one bed we stayed in was very comfortable and the shower water hot! We totally enjoyed staying here. (Not a negative, just a note: the staircase to the second floor is quite steep.) Would definitely stay again.
Nice house with a wonderful garden. Adorible tiny rabbits and squirrels. We liked the house. Especially the different small sitting rooms.
Marion D.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Archival
10/10 Excellent
John S.
7 Aug 2014
Wonderful home for long term stay
We booked Sunnybrae for a month long stay in the Cairngorms for sightseeing and hiking, and were thrilled with this home! It provided plenty of space for a party of 7, rooms one could sneak off to for a nap without being disturbed, a spacious kitchen and table for all to gather around, all the while being centrally located in the Highlands to explore. It has all the amenities one needs for an extended stay. The owners were very helpful both in the lead up to our trip as well as during our stay, as was the property manager who lives in the village. The village itself was a real treat and is an easy walk from the house. Braemar offers many hikes and is a great locations for day trips to explore the culture and history of the Highlands. I highly recommend this rental!
John S.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Valerie S.
12 Jul 2023
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
SUNNYBRAE, BRAEMAR
The location was fabulous and the garden was a joy. The house was okay but would have benefited from the owners having been less defensive and having acted upon issues already raised by previous reviewers e.g. the mattresses/pillows were very uncomfortable, the tap in the upstairs toilet is very stiff and difficult to turn on or regulate the temperature, especially cold (even the caretaker couldn't sort out). The old books (inc Masters of Modern Science, 1935 edition! and the complete Encyclopaedia Britannica) are not everyone's idea of holiday reading. The very old incomplete jigsaws and games and the selection of classical CDs (impressive but not to everyone's taste) - all still there, as are the bowls of old scentless potpourri. I would add to these issues,that the toilet upstairs is set back in a combe behind the oversized sink unit so we had to sit askew to avoid bumped heads and banging legs on sharp edges of the unit. The grouting in the shower is in need of freshening up. No welcome pack was listed or expected but the herbs and spices which are listed included a pot of curry powder that expired in 2022 and a chilli that had expired in 1995! The television is old (not smart TV) and there is no satellite or cable as listed, just freeview. We took a firestick to have an option of watching movies in the evenings but, as mentioned by previous reviewers, there was nowhere we could all watch together. It would be good to have a tv in the lounge area. I have
This was our second time (6 adults) staying in this lovely cottage. A short walk into the village, and beautiful walks from the house. Kitchen is very well equipped and Walter (the dog) loved running around the large enclosed garden. Thanks again Anna (and Austen)!
We had a wonderful time. The house has a beautiful, spacious garden with a great view. The house itself has lots of rooms and is a comfortable base for exploring Braemar and surroundings. Braemar is a nice village with several restaurants, a good butcher and other shops. Lots of walks start in the village. And if you like to see more, there is plenty to do nearby.
We had a brilliant week at Sunnybrae, so many glorious walks from right outside the gates of the house! The house was cosy and homely. The kitchen was well stocked with everything you would need. The garden and views are fantastic, I will miss enjoying a cuppa, whilst watching the red squirrels scamper about. All the shops are within walking distance as well as a number of places to eat.
The reason I have given 4 stars for the overall rating is that the king-size bed really needs changing. I was looking forward to catching up on some sleep but unfortunately the bed was really uncomfortable.
Excellent location with good walks directly from the house itself. A 10-15 minute drive to Linn of Dee or Invercauld Estate provides easy access to some truly stunning walks ranging from one to several hours, take your pick. We were lucky and the weather was stunning the whole time we were there. Braemar is very small nestled between two rivers and has shops but if you want more it is a pleasant 30 minute drive to Ballater. The gardens at Sunny Brae are gorgeous and we would sip our morning coffee watching the rabbits and red squirrels. The house itself is exactly as described. The downstairs is split into relatively small rooms but there is a large kitchen/dining room with a small annex off it where the TV is. We spent most of our time in the house there. Upstairs the bedrooms are larger with lots of sunlight. I would say though that the mattresses could do with replacing. We had a lovely time there and would sum it up as location, location, location.
Braemar is a lovely town with magnificent walks and trails all around. Absolutely wonderful scenery. House warm and cosy and well situated. Very dog friendly house and village. Look out for red squirrels in the garden!
We stayed in this fantastic house for a week in August. There were six of us-plenty of space in the house to accommodate all of us. The garden was lovely, again lots of space. A few minutes walk took us into the village. Perfect location. Thank you Anna (and Austin!)
Had a relaxing week. The large garden and views add to a sense of space and being away from it all. Quirky layout mentioned by previous reviewer was a positive for us i.e. having different zones for the family felt like a luxury and again helped in chilling out. Anna was good local knowledge and was very helpful in providing tips of where to go cycling or swimming.
Fabulous garden, comfortable house, great base for lovely walks of all difficulty
We had a fabulous holiday because of the beautiful, peaceful environment, the well cared for mature, very large garden and comfortable house. Short walk from village centre. Well equipped kitchen. We saw the comments about layout, it is a quirky house layout with lots of different places to sit. The photos show it all. If you want to have 8 people watching TV all the time this is not the property for you. If you like peace and quiet to read, have various different places to chat or play cards or whatever it is perfect. Loved it and would stay again.
On arrival their was minimal heating on in -10 celcius temperatures. So not a warm welcome! Access to a snow shovel would have been useful in order to be able to park the cars in the driveway and shut the gate. Upstairs shower door was wonky and difficult to use. The fold up bed in the lounge was in a ridiculously insane position as when stretched out the mattress touched the wood burning stove!!! Our extra guest had therefore to sleep on a narrow couch in a communal area instead. This furniture arrangement would have been alright in the Summer but not in the depths of winter.! The markings and the control knob on the oven are difficult to use accurately as the knob is loose and the numbers difficult to read. For the price and size of the house I would normally have expected in this day and age a dish washer to be installed especially from the huge profits generated from the rental! Other than these minor inconveniences, we had an excellent holiday in this very spacious accommodation during very beautiful wintry conditions.
Beautiful spacious family home with large garden and fabulous views!
We loved our stay here! The house has been very nicely done up with lots of sitting space. It was very clean and has a lovely modern kitchen. Beds were excellent. We liked the freedom of being able to sit in different rooms in the house so that if one set wanted to watch TV, another could play or read quietly in the lounge, or others again could be separately in the sun porch. Communication with the friendly owner was easy and Carole, the house keeper, is a gem! We loved the ease we had of walks from the doorstep and the peace and quiet - and the views - WOW! Our children definitely enjoyed the garden and we loved the red squirrels. Would definitely want to stay again.
Comfy beds, beautiful garden. Watching red squirrels From the window was a treat! Ideally situated for all the tea shops in Braemar.
karen r.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Adam H.
8 Apr 2019
Excellent well-equipped holiday home
We loved this beautiful house. It is well-equipped with everything a holiday self-catering house should have which made staying there extremely easy and stress-free. We felt at home within minutes. The house itself is large and comfortable and ideal for groups or family gatherings with plenty of living space. It is warm, full of light, dry and very cosy. Everything was very clean, and the beds were all comfortable. The kitchen is modern and well-equipped. There is a snug area off the open-plan kitchen area with a good flat screen tv, where you can relax on the sofa in front of the wood/coal burning stove and watch tv or video at the end of the day. Another large sitting room has plenty of books, lots of seating, a good stereo and another multi-fuel stove, ideal for those who want to read, play games or who don't want to watch the tv. The WiFi is excellent. The garden is beautiful - very large, fenced and safe for children. One of the nicest houses we have stayed in and we look forward to returning. The owners were friendly and helpful before and during our stay, as was the property manager, Carole, who lives nearby. We recommend this rental very highly.
Adam H.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stan T.
10 Mar 2019
Relaxing family break in this charming cottage
This is the third time we’ve stayed at Sunnybrae and hope to book again soon. Ideal for large family gatherings; it has a well equipped kitchen and its rambling ground floor means that the family can have fun together and spend time chilling in smaller groups if desired. The garden is beautiful and a safe space for children and dogs to play. Lots of beautiful walks close by and beautiful starry night skies due to absence of light pollution. Love Braemar and love this enchanting cottage.