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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 Lodge

For 16, with nine bedrooms, a hot tub and a sauna. Two nights at least.

Book on their website
Welcome

Gairnshiel Lodge is a big stone house beside the River Gairn in Glen Gairn, about six miles from Ballater, and its neighbour is the Balmoral estate.

The owners date it to 1746, and as a Victorian hunting lodge it drew royal guests: they say Queen Victoria made the pilgrimage, and that George V, George VI and the future Queen Mother came for the grouse. A Belgian family bought it in 2015, after years as a traditional hotel, and restored it with calm, pared-back interiors; the Lodge opened in May 2018. It is let whole, for up to sixteen, in nine bedrooms that each have their own bathroom. There are living, reading, dining and games rooms, a sauna, an outdoor hot tub on the terrace and a big private garden. A private chef can be arranged, and someone will meet you when you arrive.

It's in our blood and history to bring people together.
Gairnshiel
What is here

Nine en suite bedrooms with king-sized beds that can be arranged as twins, each with a walk-in shower and two with a bathtub, living, dining, reading and games rooms, a sauna, an outdoor hot tub and a well equipped kitchen.

Hot tub
Sauna
Bath tub
Enclosed garden
Private terrace or patio
Outdoor dining area
Games room
Baking equipment
Barbecue facilities
Board games
Dishwasher
Dryer
Garden
Kitchen
TV
Travel cot
Washing machine
Good to know
Meeting you
Someone greets you and shows you round.
Children
Children over five, and babies in arms.
Cots
A travel cot in every house; no extra beds.
Dogs
No dogs.
Open
All year.
Parking
Room for about ten cars.
Snow
Roads here can close in heavy snow: the owners can move your stay.
Getting here
Come by car; no bus comes out here, and trains stop at Aberdeen or Perth.
Charging
No charger here: the nearest are in Ballater and Braemar.
Food
No restaurant: the fridge can be stocked before you come, and the Co-op, deli and butcher are in Ballater.
Activities
Book them through the owners a week ahead; two for anything tailored.
When it is free

October2026

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
A 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 1–3 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
  • 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 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

Gairnshiel Lodge stands beside the River Gairn in Glengairn, in the Cairngorms National Park, with the Balmoral estate as its neighbour and the castle about ten minutes away by car.

Ballater, about six miles away, is the nearest village for food, fuel and cafés. By car the lodge is about an hour and a half from Aberdeen or Inverness, and three hours from Edinburgh. You can reach it in a low car, but roads to the Lodge can close in heavy snow in winter.

Getting hereIn 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, ten minutes away. The owners call the Cairn Walk on the estate wonderful.9 miles 27 min by road
  2. The Balmoral cairnsA walk through the forest to the cairns Queen Victoria raised for her family, and the view from Prince Albert's.6 miles 12 min by road
  3. Fish Shop Restaurant, AberdeenshireFish ShopIn Ballater, one of the restaurants the owners count among the best in Scotland.7 miles 9 min by road
  4. The Flying Stag, AberdeenshireThe Flying StagThe Fife Arms' bar in Braemar, with local beers, whisky and hearty Scottish dishes.14 miles 21 min by road
  5. Snow-dusted hills reflect fading light over a still loch at duskLoch MuickThe owners' advice: don't miss a walk round the loch.15 miles 41 min by road
  6. 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
  7. Wooden footbridge over a rocky river surrounded by pine forestLinn of QuoichPast Braemar, the other fabulous walk the owners send guests to.24 miles 41 min by road
  8. A path through the heather towards the wooded slopes of Creag Choinnich above Braemar.Creag ChoinnichThe little hill above Braemar, one of the owners' walks there.14 miles 22 min by road
  9. Cappuccino and sliced cake on a wooden table in a caféBridge House CafeIn Ballater: fresh cakes, deli goods and food to take away, Thursday to Monday.7 miles 9 min by road
  10. Shelves of fresh rolls, butteries and bakes at the Highlanders Bakehouse under a chalkboard.Highlander BakehouseThe bakehouse at Crathie, the nearest bread to the houses after Ballater.5 miles 10 min by road
  11. Casks stencilled Royal Lochnagar Distillery stacked in the warehouse.Royal LochnagarThe owners' local distillery, for a tour and a tasting.6 miles 12 min by road
  12. The Boat Inn, AboyneThe Boat InnA riverside inn at Aboyne with log fires and a beer garden, on the Dee since 1720.17 miles 24 min by road
  13. Shelves of floury sourdough loaves at Courie Courie.Courie CourieA sourdough bakery and wholefood café cooking with local ingredients.17 miles 24 min by road
Walks from here
  1. The Riverside WalkThe Riverside Walk2¼ miles, about two and a half hours7 miles away
  2. Cambus o' MayCambus o' May8 miles, about four and a half hours6 miles away
  3. The Mackenzie MemorialThe Mackenzie Memorial1½ miles, about two hours7 miles away
  4. BallaterBallater5½ miles, about four and a half hours7 miles away
  5. CraigendarrochCraigendarroch2 miles, about three hours7 miles away
  6. The Balmoral Cairns WalkThe Balmoral Cairns Walk5½ miles, about three hours5 miles away
Directions
Stone church with spire and rose window at end of tree-lined driveAttractionsCrathie Kirk5.3 miles
John Brown’s Grave, BallaterAttractionsJohn Brown’s Grave5.4 miles
Darroch Learg, AberdeenshireBallaterDarroch LeargPlace to stay · 5.9 miles
The granite front of the Deeside Deli on Bridge Street, Ballater, flowers hanging by its windows.ShoppingDeeside Deli & Garden Shop6.4 miles
Stone arched bridge crossing a river below forested hills in autumnAttractionsBallater6.5 miles
The Balmoral Arms' dining room, dark walls hung with pictures above tartan banquettes.RestaurantsBalmoral Arms6.6 miles
ÖSLEY's granite front on Bridge Street, Ballater, a navy sign above the door.ShoppingÖSLEY6.6 miles
The Strong Water Co, AberdeenshireShoppingThe Strong Water Co6.6 miles
Stravaig Saunas, AberdeenshireActivityStravaig Saunas6.7 miles

Recommend to a friend

Days out from Gairnshiel LodgeAll days out from here
  1. A sauna at dusk at Stravaig, facing LochnagarA sauna at dusk at Stravaig, facing Lochnagar3 miles away A few hours
  2. The Balmoral cairns walk: a day on foot from CrathieThe Balmoral cairns walk: a day on foot from Crathie4 miles away A day out
  3. Balmoral's grounds and gardensBalmoral's grounds and gardens4 miles away A few hours
  4. A tour of Royal Lochnagar DistilleryA tour of Royal Lochnagar Distillery5 miles 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. Ballater and Crathie: a royal day on DeesideBallater and Crathie: a royal day on Deeside6 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. The Mackenzie Memorial walk at BallaterThe Mackenzie Memorial walk at Ballater6 miles away A few hours
  9. The Seven Bridges walk at BallaterThe Seven Bridges walk at Ballater6 miles away A day out
  10. Up Craigendarroch, above BallaterUp Craigendarroch, above Ballater6 miles away A few hours
  11. A round at Ballater Golf ClubA round at Ballater Golf Club6 miles away A day out
  12. 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
  13. A wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch LeargA wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch Learg6 miles away A few hours
  14. A walk on the old military road at Corgarff CastleA walk on the old military road at Corgarff Castle6 miles away A day out
  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. Loch Muick and a picnic at Glas-allt-ShielLoch Muick and a picnic at Glas-allt-Shiel6 miles away A few hours
  18. Cambus o' May bridge and an ice cream at Shorty'sCambus o' May bridge and an ice cream at Shorty's7 miles away A few hours
  19. A picnic by the Cambus o' May bridgeA picnic by the Cambus o' May bridge8 miles away A few hours
  20. Burn o' Vat and lunch at the Fish Shop in BallaterBurn o' Vat and lunch at the Fish Shop in Ballater8 miles away A few hours
  21. Loch Kinord walk to the Kinord CrossLoch Kinord walk to the Kinord Cross8 miles away A few hours
  22. Loch Kinord and pizza at Kite in DinnetLoch Kinord and pizza at Kite in Dinnet8 miles away A few hours
  23. The Bunzeach Trail walk at StrathdonThe Bunzeach Trail walk at Strathdon8 miles away A few hours
  24. Tarland and the Howe of Cromar: stones, a loch and a tearoomTarland and the Howe of Cromar: stones, a loch and a tearoom9 miles away A day out
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