A collection · Places to stay

The Best Places to Stay in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire has upwards of 260 castles, the royal estate at Balmoral and a coastline where whole villages sit at the foot of the cliffs. These are the places we'd stay, cabins and grand hotels both, most with a log burner going.

Curated and written by Hidden Scotland

There are over 260 castles across Aberdeenshire alone, hence the nickname: Castle Country. Dunnottar sits on a 160-foot cliff above the North Sea near Stonehaven. Craigievar is pink, with turrets, and is said to have inspired Walt Disney's Cinderella castle. Slains Castle, up the coast at Cruden Bay, is the one Bram Stoker walked past on holiday before writing Dracula in 1897.

Then there's Royal Deeside, the stretch of valley running west from Aberdeen along the River Dee. Queen Victoria first came to Balmoral in 1848 and the royal family have been coming back every summer since. Ballater and Braemar are the two main villages along the way, both worth a wander. A mile from Balmoral itself is Royal Lochnagar distillery, granted its royal title after she popped down for a tour.

Head north of Aberdeen and the coast takes over. 165 miles of it in total, with fishing villages tucked into cliff-edge harbours all the way up to the Moray Firth. Crovie is the famous one, a single row of houses with their backs to the cliff and the sea on the doorstep. Pennan is just along the way, where they filmed Local Hero in 1983. Gardenstown and Portsoy are worth the detour too.

What makes Aberdeenshire work as a place to stay is the mix. Coastal villages, castle ruins, working farms, Victorian spa towns and the granite city of Aberdeen itself. You can spend a week here and barely scratch the surface. Below is our pick of the places to stay, from exclusive-use lodges on sporting estates to cottages for two on Deeside.

A landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.

More infoCrathieFaunoran HousePlace to stay · Sleeps 10

Gairnshiel's designer house at Crathie, a short walk from Balmoral. Five ensuite super king bedrooms across three floors, a striking bar area and a terrace made for long evenings.

The Fife Arms

Braemar's Victorian coaching hotel, revived in 2018 by the owners of Hauser & Wirth. More than 16,000 artworks hang through 46 rooms, with a Picasso in the drawing room.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland trees

More infoBanchoryNorth Lodge and River CabinPlace to stay · Sleeps 6

The 1890s caretakers' house at Glen Dye, sleeping six beside the River Dye. Its private River Cabin comes with a log stove, Big Green Egg and wood-fired hot tub.

A stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.

More infoBanchoryNo 4 Steading CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 7

One of the original Glen Dye steading conversions, sleeping seven around the old farm courtyard, with the estate's moorland, riverside paths and endless walking right outside the door.

Sofas flank a window framed by red curtains looking out to a garden and outbuilding, a coffee table set with candles and a small house-shaped ornament between them.

More infoStrachanThe Hay Loft at GlendyePlace to stay · Sleeps 4

The steading's old hay loft, now a bright home for four. Unlimited firewood, a welcome hamper on arrival and a wood-fired hot tub for clear-sky evenings.

Open all dayMore infoBallaterDarroch LeargHotel

A Ballater hotel run by the Franks family since 1961, with ten individually decorated rooms above the Dee. The conservatory restaurant and its wine list are reason enough to visit.

An aerial view shows a long stone steading with a slated roof and a rooftop hot tub, a smaller outbuilding and gravel courtyard beside it.

More infoBanchoryNo 5 Steading CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 7

Sleeps seven at the heart of Glen Dye. Collect eggs from the hens, pick vegetables in season and end the night at the estate's BYOB pub, the Glen Dye Arms.

Douneside House

The MacRobert family's Edwardian home near Tarland, now a hotel whose profits go to charity. Seventeen acres of RHS-accredited gardens, a pool and a tasting menu from the walled garden.

A stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.

More infoStrachanCuttieshillockPlace to stay · Sleeps 6

'Cutties' to locals: a former inn of some 300 years on the edge of Glen Dye Forest. Sleeps six, with a studio outbuilding, pizza oven, wood-fired sauna and hot tub.

A mint-green sitting room has a cobalt-blue velvet sofa with orange and green cushions, two floor lamps with teal shades either side, a rustic wooden coffee table, and framed abstract and sunset prints on the wall above.

More infoStrachanThe Corner HousePlace to stay · Sleeps 6

A Glen Dye house with the estate's trademark warmth and colour indoors, and 15,000 acres outdoors: moorland walks, river swims and some of the darkest night skies in Aberdeenshire.

A grand stone house with multiple gables and chimneys stands on a lawn at dusk, a Land Rover parked in the drive under a stormy sky.

More infoAberdeenshireGairnshiel LodgePlace to stay · Sleeps 16

A Victorian sporting lodge on Balmoral's neighbouring estate, pared back to the granite by its Belgian owners in 2015. Sixteen guests, nine bedrooms, a sauna, games room and hot tub.

Two grey linen sofas face each other across a dark wooden coffee table, checked roman blinds at the windows and a framed landscape print on the wall.

More infoAberdeenshireOld School CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 7

The old village school beside Gairnshiel Lodge, ringed by a dry-stone dyke ten minutes from Balmoral. Sleeps seven under high ceilings, with a log burner and a long farmhouse table.

A stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.

More infoStrachanGamekeeper’s CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 6

Where the Glen Dye gamekeeper once lived, now sleeping six. River dips by day, the wood-fired hot tub by night, and up to two dogs along for the trip.

A stone cottage with a slated roof and teal door sits behind a lawn, a striped bench and timber fence framing the garden.

More infoAberdeenshireThe Bothy, GlendyePlace to stay · Sleeps 2

The smallest bolthole at Glen Dye, made for two. A log burner, endless firewood and a hot tub under the trees. Simple done well, which takes some doing.

More infoBallaterInverenzie CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 4

A farmhouse on the Gairnshiel estate, renovated in 2016 and kept simple so the view stays the main event. Four guests, two bathrooms and a sunny barbecue terrace.

An aerial view shows a white harled farmhouse with multiple chimneys set beside a gravel courtyard and stone outbuildings.

More infoStrachanThe Coach HousePlace to stay · Sleeps 12

Glen Dye's former coach house, warm and characterful in the family's usual style. The BYOB Glen Dye Arms is close at hand, fire roaring, record player waiting. Bring vinyl.

Stone tower with turret roof surrounded by pine trees at dusk

More infoAboyneTower O'EssPlace to stay · Sleeps 2

A turreted Victorian tower for two at the mouth of Glen Tanar, built under William Cunliffe Brooks in the estate's 19th-century heyday. There's nothing else quite like it on Deeside.

A wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.

More infoAberdeenshireLaggan CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 8

The biggest of the Gairnshiel cottages, sleeping eight beside the River Gairn. The glazed panoramic room earns its name when weather sweeps down the glen. Ballater is a short drive.

A sitting room with two sofas and armchairs arranged around a low table, framed prints on the wall and a lamp lit in the corner.

More infoAberdeenshireButler's LodgePlace to stay · Sleeps 6

The butler at Glen Tanar earned £85 a year in 1900, with a beer allowance on top. His old house now sleeps six, crab apple tree in the garden.

More infoAberdeenshireWoodendPlace to stay · Sleeps 4

A hydro sub-station in a former life, now an airy Glen Tanar cottage for four with skylights and a double-height stove flue. The trout loch sits close by.

More infoAberdeenshireWest MillfieldPlace to stay · Sleeps 5

Once the forestry horse handler's cottage at Glen Tanar, sleeping five behind granite walls. Stained glass, window seats and wood panelling inside; the estate visitor centre a short walk away.

A stone farmhouse with a slated roof and green door sits behind a lawn, a timber garden room extending to one side.

More infoAberdeenshireChapeltonPlace to stay · Sleeps 6

A six-sleeper on the Glenkindie Estate, whose big house has a wing dating to 1595. Pet-free interiors, wide Strathdon views and a welcome hamper waiting when you arrive.

A stone farmhouse with a gabled dormer window sits behind a timber picket fence, trees shading the drive.

More infoAberdeenshireHome FarmPlace to stay · Sleeps 6

A wing of the clock tower steading at the centre of Glenkindie, sleeping six with its own garden. The working farm carries on around you, which is half the charm.

A stone house with three dormer windows and a yellow front door sits behind a lawn, terracotta pots flanking the entrance.

More infoAberdeenshireGreenstylePlace to stay · Sleeps 6

The Glenkindie Estate's cottage at Kildrummy, sleeping six and kept pet-free. The 13th-century ruins of Kildrummy Castle are close by, and the Lecht's slopes save winter afternoons.

A stone cottage with green-framed dormer windows and matching door stands behind a gravel drive, trees and open fields beyond.

More infoAberdeenshireDalgrassickPlace to stay · Sleeps 4

A quiet two-bedroom cottage for four on the Glenkindie Estate, with a wood burner, an enclosed garden and room for a couple of dogs. Unfussy in the best way.

A stone gate lodge with steep gables and green-framed windows sits beside a stone boundary wall, a planter of flowers by the green door.

More infoAberdeenshireJoiners CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 4

The Glen Tanar joiner lived here, and the craftsmanship shows. Exposed beams, a wood-burning stove and beds for four, with forest paths beginning at the gate.

A stone cottage with a red tiled roof and green-framed windows sits beside a gravel patio, a hammock and table set among shrubs.

More infoAberdeenshireRowan CottagePlace to stay · Sleeps 2

Glen Tanar's open-plan farm cottage for two. Modest, well made and warm, with Caledonian pine forest and hill tracks beginning just past the gate. Sometimes small is exactly right.

A stone farmhouse with dormer windows stands beside a picnic bench within a wooden fence enclosure.

More infoAberdeenshireTornahatnachPlace to stay · Sleeps 5

Up its own track on Glenkindie, a 19th-century cottage sleeping five across three bedrooms. The garden is big, the kitchen has a wood burner, and the water comes off the hill.