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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.
Aberdeenshire

Gairnshiel

Five design-led houses in Royal Deeside by a Belgian family, from a cottage for four to a Victorian hunting lodge for sixteen.

Booking for a groupSee the houses free together
Book on their website
Welcome

A hunting lodge, three old cottages along the River Gairn and a new house next door to Balmoral.

Gairnshiel Lodge was built in 1746 as a hunting lodge on the River Gairn, and for generations it was a favourite of royals, hunters and travellers, Queen Victoria among them. Two hundred and seventy years later a Belgian family, Eric and Hilde, fell in love with it and opened it again in 2018. They've since brought three old cottages along the river back to life, Laggan, Inverenzie and the Old School, and opened Faunoran House at Crathie, a short walk from Balmoral Castle. Each is done in the same calm, earthy Belgian style, with stone, linen and good wood, and they sit about ten minutes' drive apart. Together they can take up to 45 people for a gathering.

It's in our blood and history to bring people together.
Gairnshiel
The houses

The Lodge for sixteen, Faunoran for ten, Laggan for eight, the Old School for seven and Inverenzie for four.

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.Gairnshiel LodgeSleeps 16
  • A hunting lodge from 1746
  • A sauna and hot tub
Free 25–27 OctA landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.Faunoran HouseSleeps 10
  • A walk from Balmoral
  • A bar and a pond garden
Free 25–27 OctA 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
  • Built in 1880
  • A cabin by the river
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 28–30 OctInverenzie Cottage, AberdeenshireInverenzie CottageSleeps 4
  • An old farmhouse
  • The view comes first
Free 4–6 Nov
Booking for a group
4people

For four of you, Inverenzie Cottage is just right.

When

November2026

MTWTFSS

Choose the night you arrive.

Inverenzie Cottage, Aberdeenshire4peopleInverenzie CottageJust right
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.4peopleGairnshiel LodgeRoomier than you need
A landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.4peopleFaunoran HouseRoomier than you need
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.4peopleOld School CottageRoomier than you need
A wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.4peopleLaggan CottageRoomier than you need
WhenAny time
Where it is

In Glengairn, about fifteen minutes by car from Ballater; an hour and a half from Aberdeen or Inverness.

Close byWhere Eric and Hilde send their guests.
  1. Balmoral Castle's turreted grey towers rise above ivy-covered walls and manicured lawnsBalmoralThe King's Highland home, the nearest castle to Gairnshiel. The Cairn Walk on the estate is one of the owners' favourites.9 miles 27 min by road
  2. Fish Shop Ballater, AberdeenshireFish ShopIn Ballater, one of the restaurants the owners count among the best in Scotland.7 miles 9 min by road
  3. Snow-dusted hills reflect fading light over a still loch at duskLoch MuickThe owners suggest a walk around the loch.15 miles 41 min by road
  4. River tumbling over rocky rapids through pine forest under grey skiesLinn of DeePast Braemar, a place to walk that the owners call fabulous.14 miles 22 min by road
Directions
Stone church with spire and rose window at end of tree-lined driveAttractionsCrathie Kirk5.3 miles
Shelves of fresh rolls, butteries and bakes at the Highlanders Bakehouse under a chalkboard.CafeThe Highlanders Bakehouse5.4 miles
John Brown’s Grave, BallaterAttractionsJohn Brown’s Grave5.4 miles
Darroch Learg, AberdeenshireBallaterDarroch LeargPlace to stay · 5.9 miles
Casks stencilled Royal Lochnagar Distillery stacked in the warehouse.AttractionsRoyal Lochnagar Distillery6.2 miles
The granite front of the Deeside Deli on Bridge Street, Ballater, flowers hanging by its windows.ShoppingDeeside Deli & Garden Shop6.4 miles
Fish Shop Restaurant, AberdeenshireRestaurantsFish Shop Restaurant6.5 miles
Stone arched bridge crossing a river below forested hills in autumnAttractionsBallater6.5 miles
Cappuccino and sliced cake on a wooden table in a caféCafeBridge House Café6.5 miles
The Daily for 24 October, from Scotland with love. a stone arch bridge crossing a rushing gorge below a moss-covered cliffside building, autumn trees on both banks

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