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Craigendarroch House

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Fireplace - Craigendarroch House (Ballater)
Craigendarroch House, a grand Scottish baronial Villa modelled on Balmoral Castle, offers a unique retreat in the Cairngorms. Unwind by the open fire or enjoy luxury amenities like an indoor bar with wine cooler and outdoor bars with karaoke and gas BBQ.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Craigendarroch House

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

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Dishwasher

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 5 bathrooms
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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

The guest will be charged 50% amount for a cancellation after the reservation is made.

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

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 no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
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 AS00473P

Property is also known as

su-UK5874-UK5874

About the area

Ballater is home to this cottage. The Butterworth Gallery and Grampian Transport Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Deeside Activity Park and Alford Valley Steam Railway. Visit our Ballater travel guide
View more Cottages in Ballater
Map
Ballater

What's nearby

  • Ski touring at Loch Avon on the River Avon, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
    Cairngorms National Park
    1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Prince Albert Cairn, near Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
    Balmoral Castle
    13 min drive - 14.7 km
  • Victoria and Albert Halls
    6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Ballater Library
    6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Ballater Golf Club
    6 min walk - 0.6 km

Getting around

  • Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
    71 min drive

Restaurants

  • Keiller Lounge
    16 min walk
  • Keiller Brasserie
    16 min walk
  • Fish Shop
    7 min walk
  • Clachan Grill
    11 min walk
  • brown sugar café
    9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Craigendarroch House pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Craigendarroch House?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Craigendarroch House?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Craigendarroch House?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Craigendarroch House located?

Situated in Ballater, this cottage is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Ballater Golf Club and within 9 miles (15 km) of Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve and Balmoral Castle. Cairngorms National Park and Royal Lochnagar Distillery are also within 9 miles (15 km).

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Craigendarroch House 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.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Kirsten Husselbee

Absolutely beautiful house, lovely comfy beds and so much space! Lots of great features such as hot

Absolutely beautiful house, lovely comfy beds and so much space! Lots of great features such as hot tub with summer house attached, separate bar complete with karaoke machine, and secure enclosed garden at the back to keep kids and dogs safe. Hosts super helpful. Ballater area lovely for walking, with coffee shops and restaurants within walking distance from the house.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Luxury weekend

We booked the property for a 60th Birthday with family, the house and gardens were immaculate and perfect for our stay. The hosts checked with us before and during our stay to ensure we had everything that we needed. This is a fantastic house in a beautiful village with everything on your doorstep. A fantastic stay that was just too short.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Laura Abel

Craigendarroch House is a beautiful house! Plenty of space for large families or groups.

Craigendarroch House is a beautiful house! Plenty of space for large families or groups. Very clean and tidy. The hosts were brilliant to deal with. Would recommend this accommodation without a second thought.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Lianne Waterston

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Craigendarroch House is truly exceptional! From the moment w

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Craigendarroch House is truly exceptional! From the moment we arrived, the hosts Dawn and Michael went above and beyond—friendly, attentive, and quick to respond to any questions we had over the weekend. They even surprised my mum with a card and flowers for her 70th birthday, making it an extra special celebration.The house itself is like a mini castle—spectacular on the outside and equally stunning inside, with Scottish-themed décor. Despite its size, it felt so cosy, warm and welcoming.Entertainment options were endless: a fabulous hot tub which we used multiple times daily, an outdoor covered bar with karaoke and a log burner for warmth, plus fun activities like giant Jenga and axe throwing. The attention to detail throughout the house is top notch, with beautiful rooms, high-quality furniture, and fabby comfortable beds—everyone agreed they had the best sleeps!The house lives up to its nickname "Wee Balmoral," and made my mum feel like a queen for her birthday weekend. The house is perfect for dog owners too, with a fully enclosed garden and plenty of scenic walks nearby. Our dog had a great time running freely in the garden. It’s also just a short walk from Ballater town, where we enjoyed a fantastic afternoon tea at the Rothesay Rooms, steeped in history as the old railway station.All 11 of us had an unforgettable stay and can’t wait to return. If you’re looking for a magical, faultless property, Craigendarroch House is it. Simply WOW!