Guests say
Craigendarroch House in Ballater receives glowing praise from guests for its beautiful, spacious interiors, luxurious yet homely atmosphere, and exceptional facilities including a hot tub, bars, and well-kept gardens. The property is ideally located—peaceful yet just a short walk from the village centre and local amenities. Guests consistently highlight the warm hospitality of the hosts, the immaculate cleanliness, and the perfect setting for family gatherings or special occasions. The house is well-equipped for all ages and offers a memorable, relaxing stay in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
Multiple reviews describe the property as spotlessly clean, beautifully maintained, and exquisitely decorated throughout, with no negative comments regarding cleanliness.
Guests repeatedly praise the location for its tranquillity, proximity to Ballater’s amenities, and easy access to scenic walks and attractions, making it an ideal base for exploring the Cairngorms and Deeside.
Reviewers highlight the house’s spaciousness, comfortable beds, cosy atmosphere with open fires, and ample room for large groups and families, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay for all ages.
The property is lauded for its extensive facilities, including a hot tub, bars, karaoke, well-equipped kitchen, secure gardens, and entertainment options for all ages. Guests note that everything needed for a comfortable stay is provided.
Guests frequently mention the hosts’ warm hospitality, attention to detail, and helpfulness. While festive decorations and thoughtful touches are noted, it should be politely stated that such gifts or extras are not guaranteed for every stay.
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
Nearby points of interest
- Braemar Castle
Reviews (26)
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Barbara Capener
We had another wonderful stay at this beautiful holiday home/castle with three generations of our family. It was the perfect place for everyone to relax, spend quality time together and enjoy everything Ballater and the surrounding area had to offer.It was very comfortable, spacious and very well equipped, with plenty of room for everyone to have their own space as well as enjoy meals and evenings together. It was lovely to have a cosy home to return to after days out exploring the stunning Scottish countryside.From the grandparents to the youngest members of the family, everyone thoroughly enjoyed their stay. Thank you Dawn for making our stay so special. Can’t wait to return next year!
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Cate Kelly
Craigendarroch House is a fabulous property with excellent accommodation for large groups. The house is well presented and as a group of nine we had all the space we needed. The grounds were impeccably kept which added to a wonderful experience. Ballater has everything you need, restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops. There are plenty of activities to do in and around the town and the countryside is so easily accessable.
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Confirmed Guest
Craigendarroch House was a joy to stay at. There was plenty of room for our large family gathering and enough space for everyone to either hang out playing games or find a quiet spot to read and dose off! The bedrooms were large and beds were comfortable, with plenty of bathrooms and toilets for a large group. The kitchen facilities were brilliant for catering for large numbers and the equipment and white goods were plentiful and convenient to use. The outside space was great too and the weather even accommodated a bbq and dinner outside one evening! Dawn was friendly, approachable and kept in contact, she welcomed us contacting her if we had a question about the house. You could tell that she loves the house and sharing it with her guests. Ballater is a beautiful village and there are plenty of quaint holiday shops, art galleries and of course restaurants, bars and a supermarket to buy essentials. If you love the outdoors and getting out and about this is a great location for you.