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

Faunoran House

For ten, with five bedrooms. Two nights at least.

Licence AS-01361-F

Book on their website
Welcome

Faunoran House stands in Crathie on Royal Deeside, a short walk from the gates of Balmoral, in a wood of silver birch where pheasants come down to the pond.

Visited and photographed by Hidden Scotland

It is a granite house of steep slate gables, the newest of the Gairnshiel houses, run by a Belgian family who took over Gairnshiel Lodge in 2015.

Inside, old and new sit side by side. The lounge gathers round a fireplace set with glazed ceramic figures, hand in hand above a shoal of fish, a white plaster staircase curls up through three floors, and the bar is finished in black. There are five en-suite bedrooms, some with their old stone fireplaces still set in the wall, and a long kitchen with a range cooker for feeding ten. Behind the house, a terrace with a long white table looks over a still reflecting pond to the birch wood and the hills.

A place where the old meets the new: where the traditional stands in dialogue with the modern.
Eric and Hilde, Gairnshiel
What is here

A lounge round a fireplace set with ceramic figures, a bar finished in black, a dining room over the gardens, a long kitchen with a range cooker, a dishwasher and a coffee maker, a boot room, and a laundry with a washing machine and dryer.

Bath tub
Private terrace or patio
Outdoor dining area
Bar
Barbecue
Board games
Books
Dishwasher
Dryer
Garden
High chair
Kitchen
Local maps and guides
Self check-in
TV
Travel cot
Washing machine
Good to know
Sleeps
Ten, in five king or twin bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.
Stays
Two nights or more, all year.
Check-in
Self check-in only.
Children
Over-fives, and babies in arms.
Pond
Open, with no gate round it.
Dogs
Not at Faunoran.
Wheelchairs
Not suited, with stairs throughout.
Food
Fridge stocked ahead, for a charge.
Chef
Your own chef is welcome.
Shops
Ballater's Co-op, 8 minutes' drive.
Balmoral
Its gates, a 5–10 minute walk.
By bus
The 201 or Ember to Balmoral.
By train
Aberdeen or Perth, then a taxi.
Car
Parking for five; no charger.
When it is free

November2026

MTWTFSS

Your dates

Choose the night you arrive.Then the morning you leave.

Book on their website

The owner confirms the final price.

At Gairnshiel
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  • A sauna and hot tub
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovA wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.Laggan CottageSleeps 8
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Free 31 Oct – 2 NovTwo 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.Old School CottageSleeps 7
  • The old village school
  • Next door to the Lodge
Free 5–7 NovInverenzie Cottage, AberdeenshireInverenzie CottageSleeps 4
  • An old farmhouse
  • The view comes first
Free 4–6 NovThe whole placeGairnshielEvery Gairnshiel house, and the glen and the castle next to them.See Gairnshiel
Where it is

Crathie is on Royal Deeside in the Cairngorms National Park, between Ballater and Braemar, each about eight miles away, and Faunoran is a five to ten minute walk from the gates of Balmoral Castle.

It is the one Gairnshiel house you can reach without a car: take the 201 or Ember bus to Balmoral Castle, and the house is a short walk from there. The roads are generally well kept, but allow extra time when snow is forecast. The nearest food shop is the Co-op in Ballater, which also has an independent deli, a butcher and a fishmonger, and Crathie has a bakehouse.

Getting hereIn Crathie, between Ballater and Braemar, a short walk from the gates of Balmoral Castle; a private drive leads to the parking at the front.

Close byWhere the owners send their guests, nearest first.
  1. Tarmachan Cafe, CairngormsTarmachan CaféFirst of the four places within walking distance of the house, and the only one the owners mark highly recommended.A short walk on foot
  2. Casks stencilled Royal Lochnagar Distillery stacked in the warehouse.Royal LochnagarThe distillery bar is on the owners' short list of places you can walk to from Faunoran.1 mile 3 min by road
  3. The Balmoral cairnsThe Cairn Walk on the Balmoral estate, which the owners call wonderful, and the closest of their favourite walks.1 mile 3 min by road
  4. Balmoral Castle's turreted grey towers rise above ivy-covered walls and manicured lawnsBalmoral CastleThe Royal family's home when they come to Scotland, its gates a five to ten minute walk from the house.A 10-minute walk to the gates
  5. Fish Shop Restaurant, AberdeenshireFish ShopIn Ballater, and first of the restaurants the owners count among the best in Scotland.7 miles 10 min by road
  6. The Flying Stag, AberdeenshireThe Flying StagThe bar at the Fife Arms in Braemar, with the Clunie Dining Room in the same hotel: both on the owners' list of the best in Scotland.10 miles 13 min by road
  7. Snow-dusted hills reflect fading light over a still loch at duskLoch MuickThe one walk the owners always recommend: the way round the loch.16 miles 41 min by road
  8. Wooden footbridge over a rocky river surrounded by pine forestLinn of QuoichPast Braemar, one of the owners' fabulous places to walk, with the Linn of Dee along the same road.20 miles 33 min by road
  9. Shelves of fresh rolls, butteries and bakes at the Highlanders Bakehouse under a chalkboard.The Highlanders BakehouseCrathie's bakehouse, one of the four places the owners list within walking distance of Faunoran.Under half a mile 1 min by road
  10. Darroch Learg, AberdeenshireDarroch LeargIn Ballater: a conservatory dining room in its gardens, one of the best places to eat in Ballater. The owners recommend the Sunday roast.7 miles 9 min by road
  11. The Strong Water Co, AberdeenshireThe Strong Water CoA drinks shop in Ballater, not a bar: the owners say a visit to the brothers Mungo and Guy is a must. Organise a tasting.7 miles 10 min by road
  12. The Balmoral Arms' dining room, dark walls hung with pictures above tartan banquettes.Balmoral ArmsA traditional pub in Ballater: if you are looking for tartan and a cold beer, this is where the owners send you.7 miles 10 min by road
  13. Cappuccino and sliced cake on a wooden table in a caféBridge House CaféIn Ballater, a dog-friendly café the owners count among the locals: freshly baked cakes and deli goods, Thursday to Monday.7 miles 10 min by road
  14. Burn O’Vat, AboyneBurn o' VatRock formations and waterfalls, a short drive away, and a walk the owners call family friendly.12 miles 16 min by road
  15. Knock Castle, AberdeenshireKnock CastleA small detour the owners add to the Seven Bridges walk, a great way to discover Ballater on foot.7 miles 13 min by road
  16. A path through the heather towards the wooded slopes of Creag Choinnich above Braemar.Creag ChoinnichA steep but short walk from Braemar, with fantastic views over the village and beyond from the top.10 miles 14 min by road
  17. River tumbling over rocky rapids through pine forest under grey skiesLinn of DeePast Braemar: waterfalls, forest walks and good spots for swimming in the river.10 miles 14 min by road
  18. Bertie's Whisky Bar, red velvet chairs among walls of bottles in lamplight.Bertie's Whisky BarAt the Fife Arms in Braemar, hundreds of drams in one of Scotland's finest whisky collections. A must try, the owners say.10 miles 13 min by road
  19. The white front of Farquharson's in the middle of Braemar.Farquharson'sA much-loved pub in the middle of Braemar, serving hearty Scottish dishes.10 miles 13 min by road
  20. Gordon's glass counter of cakes under its chalkboard sign in Braemar.Gordon's TearoomA small café in Braemar serving lunches and the odd pop-up dinner: the owners' quick stop.10 miles 13 min by road
Walks from here
  1. The Balmoral Cairns WalkThe Balmoral Cairns Walk5½ miles, about three hoursFrom the door
  2. The Riverside WalkThe Riverside Walk2¼ miles, about two and a half hours7 miles away
  3. Cambus o' MayCambus o' May8 miles, about four and a half hours7 miles away
  4. The Mackenzie MemorialThe Mackenzie Memorial1½ miles, about two hours7 miles away
  5. BallaterBallater5½ miles, about four and a half hours7 miles away
  6. CraigendarrochCraigendarroch2 miles, about three hours7 miles away
Directions
Stone church with spire and rose window at end of tree-lined driveAttractionsCrathie Kirk0.4 miles
John Brown’s Grave, BallaterAttractionsJohn Brown’s Grave0.5 miles
Stravaig Saunas, AberdeenshireActivityStravaig Saunas1.1 miles
The granite front of the Deeside Deli on Bridge Street, Ballater, flowers hanging by its windows.ShoppingDeeside Deli & Garden Shop7.1 miles
Stone arched bridge crossing a river below forested hills in autumnAttractionsBallater7.2 miles
ÖSLEY's granite front on Bridge Street, Ballater, a navy sign above the door.ShoppingÖSLEY7.2 miles
The Albert Memorial Hall, with a red telephone box outside its turreted stone facadeRestaurantsLunch and a Wander in Ballater7.3 miles
Ballater Golf Course, AberdeenshireAttractionsBallater Golf Course7.5 miles
Old gravestones in the round kirkyard at Tullich among trees, the ruined kirk wall behind.AttractionsTullich Kirkyard and its carved stones8.1 miles

Recommend to a friend

Days out from Faunoran HouseAll days out from here
  1. The Balmoral cairns walk: a day on foot from CrathieThe Balmoral cairns walk: a day on foot from CrathieUnder half a mile away A day out
  2. Balmoral's grounds and gardensBalmoral's grounds and gardensUnder half a mile away A few hours
  3. A tour of Royal Lochnagar DistilleryA tour of Royal Lochnagar DistilleryHalf a mile away A few hours
  4. A sauna at dusk at Stravaig, facing LochnagarA sauna at dusk at Stravaig, facing Lochnagar1 mile away A few hours
  5. Knock Castle and lunch at the Rothesay RoomsKnock Castle and lunch at the Rothesay Rooms5 miles away A few hours
  6. A round at Ballater Golf ClubA round at Ballater Golf Club6 miles away A day out
  7. The Cambus o' May circular walk from BallaterThe Cambus o' May circular walk from Ballater6 miles away A day out
  8. Ballater and Crathie: a royal day on DeesideBallater and Crathie: a royal day on Deeside6 miles away A day out
  9. The Mackenzie Memorial walk at BallaterThe Mackenzie Memorial walk at Ballater6 miles away A few hours
  10. The Seven Bridges walk at BallaterThe Seven Bridges walk at Ballater6 miles away A day out
  11. Up Craigendarroch, above BallaterUp Craigendarroch, above Ballater6 miles away A few hours
  12. A wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch LeargA wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch Learg6 miles away A few hours
  13. Ballater's Riverside Walk and a pint at the Balmoral ArmsBallater's Riverside Walk and a pint at the Balmoral Arms6 miles away A few hours
  14. Loch Muick and a picnic at Glas-allt-ShielLoch Muick and a picnic at Glas-allt-Shiel6 miles away A few hours
  15. Whisky, Castles & Pyramids - A 35-Mile Trail Through Aberdeenshire’s Royal HeartlandWhisky, Castles & Pyramids - A 35-Mile Trail Through Aberdeenshire’s Royal Heartland6 miles away A day out
  16. 1 day in Royal Deeside1 day in Royal Deeside6 miles away A day out
  17. A walk up Lochnagar from Glen MuickA walk up Lochnagar from Glen Muick7 miles away A day out
  18. Loch Muick and Ballater: a day in Glen MuickLoch Muick and Ballater: a day in Glen Muick7 miles away A day out
  19. Braemar Castle and lunch in BraemarBraemar Castle and lunch in Braemar8 miles away A few hours
  20. Up Creag Choinnich, above BraemarUp Creag Choinnich, above Braemar8 miles away A few hours
  21. Round Morrone, above BraemarRound Morrone, above Braemar8 miles away A day out
  22. An art tour and afternoon tea at the Fife ArmsAn art tour and afternoon tea at the Fife Arms8 miles away A few hours
  23. The River Dee path and a pint at the Flying StagThe River Dee path and a pint at the Flying Stag8 miles away A few hours
  24. The Highland Games Centre in BraemarThe Highland Games Centre in Braemar8 miles away A few hours
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