North Lodge - Turriff

Located towards the North entrance of Craigston Castle Estate and with over 250 acres of gardens and grounds to explore, this charming three-bedroom cottage is ideal for families seeking a tranquil base from which to explore the Aberdeenshire countryside. Step out of the front door for leisurely walks through the scenic estate grounds or hop in the saddle and follow the cycle paths to find the perfect picnic spot. The grounds are a paradise for nature enthusiasts with roe deer, foxes and badgers being frequent visitors. Further afield, join the Whisky Trail to sample a wee dram or two in one of the areas many distilleries, or explore the Aberdeenshire coastal trail to discover picturesque coves and rugged beaches.

Enjoying a secluded location within the estate grounds, your lovely holiday home offers spacious accommodation with a warm and welcoming feel. Tastefully decorated in soothing tones, the large windows allow plenty of natural light into the property and look out onto the lovely expansive garden and grounds, creating a restful space for spending relaxing time together.

Step into the spacious entrance hall where you can remove muddy wellies and hang up outdoor clothing. The well-equipped kitchen includes a breakfast bar so you can plan the day’s activities over a coffee or have some company when you are cooking. Your lounge/diner is a welcoming space where you can enjoy leisurely meals at the dining table overlooking the garden before curling up in one of the inviting sofas for a family film. The conservatory is a lovely space which include a window seat where you can sit and catch up on the daily newspapers or read the latest novel. On this level you will also find the generous super king size zip and link with views over the countryside and a stylish bathroom with a shower over corner bath.

Taking the stairs to the first floor you will find a further two bedrooms, a cosy single with additional pull-out bed and a spacious super king-size zip-and-link which is reached by a few stairs down to it. A further bathroom can be found on this floor.

Venturing outside from the conservatory patio doors to the garden, cook up a BBQ and enjoy al fresco dining at the outdoor table and chairs. There is ample parking for 3 cars.

• 3 bedrooms – 2 super-king-size zip-and-link (which can both be made up as twins on request, must be stated at the time of the booking)  and 1 single with additional single pull-out bed
• 2 bathrooms
• Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer
• Electric and central heating included
• Wood burner first bag of logs included, extra logs can be purchased for £5 to be left in the courtesy jar.
• Off-road parking for 3 cars
• Wi-Fi included
• Shops, pubs and restaurants 4 miles
• Smart TV in lounge and 1 super-king-size bedroom
• BBQ available
• Sleeps 5+1 (additional single pull-out bed in single bedroom)
• Private tour of the castle can be arranged direct with owner
• Fishing, shooting, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, gin and whisky tasting, catering and spa treatments can all be booked in advance with owner
• Mountain bikes for hire, subject to availability
• Provisional Short Term Let Licence Number - AS-00226-F
• EPC Rating - Band E
• This property will be decorated for Christmas
• Arrival: 16:00 onwards
• Departure: before 10:00, unless otherwise stated in your arrival details
• 1 dog allowed. Dogs are charged at £20 each per full or part week
• There is an Accidental Damage Deposit of £200 when booking at this property, however this may be waived for £25. We’ll provide more details about this when booking your holiday.

The area surrounding the cottage is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with walks from the doorstep to suit all ages and abilities. Enjoy a peaceful pre-supper stroll or spend the day on a more strenuous adventure exploring some of the 250 acres of grounds within the estate. Head into the Bennachie Hills (25 miles) for challenging hikes through spectacular scenery. Climb the two highest peaks, Oxen Craig and Mither Tap to be rewarded with far-reaching views across open moorland. Wander through the towering trees of Delgaty Woods (4.5 miles) following the trail past the ancient ice-house towards the tranquil loch before visiting the 11th-century Dalgetie Castle and stopping for some refreshment in the castle café.

Follow the malt whisky trail through Speyside, leading through historic villages and stunning scenery. Head to Dufftown (36 miles), home of the world-famous Glenfiddich Distillery where you can discover the secrets of the legendary blend and sample a wee dram. There are eight distilleries within the area where you can taste each distinctive malt and decide on your favourite.

For a family day out, why not discover the residents of the Moray coast at the Macduff Aquarium in Banff (11.5 miles). Watch divers hand feed the fish in the unique kelp reef tank, see the colourful jellyfish drift through the waters and get up close to some of the sea creatures at the touch pool. Stroll around the old harbour admiring the boats bobbing in the water and feast on some freshly caught seafood in one of the town's well-regarded restaurants.