Guests say
Creag Bhalg - Mar Lodge Estate is a well-regarded cottage praised for its stunning location, comfortable bedrooms, and excellent kitchen. Guests enjoy the beautiful views, outdoor activities, and the property's suitability for relaxation and wildlife watching. Some minor maintenance issues are noted, but they do not significantly detract from the overall positive experience.
Guests consistently describe the property as clean and well-maintained, with one review highlighting it as 'cleaner than anyone has any right to expect'. The high standard of cleanliness contributes greatly to the comfort and enjoyment of their stays.
The location is frequently praised for its magnificent views and perfect setting for outdoor activities like cycling and hiking. The proximity to towns for provisions and the direct access to nature make it an ideal spot for a holiday retreat.
The property is generally found to be very comfortable, with cosy and super comfortable bedrooms. However, some guests mention that certain rooms can be cold and the lounge seating is a bit tired, suggesting room for improvement in overall comfort.
Facilities are well-received with a particularly impressive kitchen and en suite bathrooms. However, there are several mentions of maintenance issues such as dripping gutters, problematic heating, and electrical quirks. These issues indicate a need for attention to facilities and maintenance.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a score in this category.
About this property
Creag Bhalg is a beautiful ground floor cottage situated on the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate, with its name referring to the nearby hill rising in the middle of the Linn of Dee and Linn of Quoich. This spacious property is perfect for a large family seeking a rural trip, surrounded by 29,000 hectares of pine woodland, munros and unique wildlife. Find this hidden gem in a secluded spot, set within a walled garden with its own pond and illuminated woodland path. The interior boasts country-style features throughout, with character exuding from the hallways, while the wood-panelled sitting room features high-sloped ceilings with triangle beams, mounted deer heads and a large seating area in front of a cosy open fire and TV.
Prepare homemade meals during your self-catered stay in the kitchen/diner, fitted with contemporary amenities and carrying on the rustic wood-panelled theme leading towards the dining table, ideal for an evening dinner party with your loved ones. Also in this property is a convenient cloakroom and well-equipped utility room, suiting longer stays. Choose from one of the four charming bedrooms, all benefiting from en-suites, with a double and a twin adjoined to an en-suite bathroom, and the other double and twin rooms accompanied by a large walk-in shower room, all rooms offer tasteful furnishings, ample storage and peaceful views towards the River Dee and Glen Ey.
Delight in the acres of idyllic Scottish landscape and the fascinating history of Mar Lodge Estate in this hidden retreat, Creag Bhalg. Note: This property can be booked alongside Refs. 1060439, 1060441, 1060442, 1060444, 1060494, 1060500, together sleeping up to 55 guests.
Braemar is a quaint village resting in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, lying next to the River Dee valley, surrounded by 24 munros. The village is home to a range of shops, pubs, restaurants, a golf course and annual Highland festival, with access to rare wildlife at Royal Deeside and attractions including Braemar and Balmoral Castles and the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. Braemar is a historic corner of Scotland, ideal for a rural getaway.
Accommodation
All ground floor.
Four bedrooms: 1 x double with en-suite bath, hand-held shower, basin and WC, 1 x double with walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x twin with en-suite bath, hand-held shower, basin and WC, 1 x twin with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Cloakroom with basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Utility.
Sitting room with open fire
Electric central heating and open fire.
Electric oven, grill and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher.
TV, DVD player, WiFi.
Fuel, power and starter pack for fire/stove included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Cot and highchair available on request.
Private water supply.
Off-road parking outside the property.
Shared garden with lawn, pond and seating.
Access to Mar Lodge Estate.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop and pub 4.1 miles.
Note: The charging of electric vehicles is not permitted.
Note: The stag ballroom, grand dining room, library and drawing room at Mar Lodge can be hired separately for private events – please contact the lodge for further details on +44 (0)13397 41276.
Note: Mar Lodge Ranger service runs a number of scheduled walks and events throughout the year- information on these can be found by visiting here.
Note: Please be aware there is livestock on the estate.
Note: The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here
Nearby points of interest
- Braemar Castle
- Cairngorms National Park
Reviews (17)
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Hubert Et
. We were particularly impressed with the speed and efficiency of both the staff who responded at the office and the employee who came to sort out a problem with the heating. They were polite and extremely helpful at all times.
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Robert
Lovely view of the River Dee. The only issue we had related to the thermostat on the central heating. Essentially it stopped working effectively, especially in the bedrooms. Reports to Mar Lodge staff were acted upon quickly and heating restored. It is understood that a heating engineer will be called in to resolve what may be an ongoing issue. For sunny days a seat, perhaps a bench outside the rear of the property would be a nice addition. Apart from those points all of our group were very happy with the accommodation.
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Julia
Big bedrooms all with on suite. Set in beautiful surroundings with great views.