Glen Tanar Estate
Seven heritage cottages on a 25,000-acre estate in the Cairngorms National Park, from a Victorian tower for two to the butler's lodge for six.
The old homes of the estate's butler, joiner, head gardener and horse handler, among ancient pine forest on Royal Deeside.
Glen Tanar runs from the River Dee through ancient pine forest and open moorland to Mount Keen, 25,000 acres within the Cairngorms National Park. Sir William Cunliffe Brooks bought it in 1865 and built much of what you see today, from the Victorian Ballroom to the Tower O'Ess, and since 1905 it has been cared for by the same family, today the Bruces. The cottages were the homes of the people who worked here: the butler, the joiner, the head gardener, the forestry horse handler, and a hydropower sub-station too. Each has been restored with British-made fabrics, local art and restored antiques, and every one has a wood-burning stove with unlimited logs, a barbecue and books. Dogs are welcome in all but Garden Cottage, and the estate is yours to explore, with salmon fishing on the Dee, a private trout loch, horse riding, a wildlife hide and trails from every door.
A very special place, looked after especially well.
Two cottages for two, three for four, one for five and the lodge for six.
Tower O'EssSleeps 2- A Victorian tower by the river
- A hot tub in the woods
Rowan CottageSleeps 2- An old farm bothy
- A granite fireplace
Joiner’s CottageSleeps 4- The joiner's original features
- Trails from the door
Garden CottageSleeps 4- Inside the walled garden
- Pet-free
WoodendSleeps 4- The old hydropower sub-station
- A double-height room
West MillfieldSleeps 5- Over woods and fields
- Stained glass windows
Butler's LodgeSleeps 6- The butler's old home
- An enclosed garden
For four of you, the houses lit below are each just right.
October2026
Choose the night you arrive.
What Glen Tanar offers its guests, from the river to the hill.
On the private lochTrout fishingThe estate's own trout loch, for beginners and old hands, with a ghillie to show you where.
Over the moorHorse ridingRide out through the pinewoods and across open moorland from the estate's equestrian centre.
From the doorThe pinewoodsMile upon mile of paths through ancient Scots pine, along the Water of Tanar and out to Mount Keen.
A wildlife hideThe LookoutEvening sessions for up to six in a hide on the edge of the pine forest, watching for red deer, pine martens, badgers and red squirrels.South of the Dee between Aboyne and Ballater: from Dinnet cross the river, take the B976 for three miles and turn in at the Bridge and Tower o' Ess.
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