Craigendarroch House

Top rated by guests
house
Kitchen/diner | Craigendarroch House, Ballater
Kitchen/diner | Craigendarroch House, Ballater
Kitchen/diner | Craigendarroch House, Ballater
Utility room | Craigendarroch House, Ballater
review stars
10.0Outstanding
(4 Ratings)
"🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟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..."
Lianne Waterston
Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
10.0 / 10.0
Outstanding(4 Ratings)

Cottage in Ballater

12 guests · 6 bedrooms · 5 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Top-tier experienceA high end property in this area

About this cottage rental

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

Amenities at Craigendarroch House

Non-smoking
Pets allowed
Family friendly

Map of Ballater


Ratings and reviews

10.0 / 10.0
Outstanding(4 Ratings)
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Jul 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟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!
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Jul 2025
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.
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Sep 2024
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.

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FAQs

Is parking included with this cottage?

Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Craigendarroch House. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this cottage?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this cottage. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Craigendarroch House pet friendly?

Yes! This cottage is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.

What amenities are available at Craigendarroch House?

We found 3 amenities for this rental. This includes non-smoking, pets allowed, and family friendly.


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