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Stone tower with turret roof surrounded by pine trees at dusk
Cairngorms

Tower O'Ess

For two, with one bedroom, a hot tub and room for the dog. Three nights at least. Arrive from 4pm, leave by 10am.

Licence AS-00198-F

Book on their website
Welcome

Tower O’Ess is a listed Victorian tower at the entrance to Glen Tanar, on the banks of the River Tanar near Aboyne on Royal Deeside.

It was designed and built between 1871 and 1873 as an imposing gateway to the estate, and converted in 1918 by Lord Glentanar, Thomas Coats. Today it sleeps two, tucked beneath tall Scots pines with the river flowing past.

The rooms are stacked up a spiral staircase. The kitchen and dining area are on the lowest floor, the sitting room is on the entrance floor with its green velvet sofa and a wood-burning stove (the logs are unlimited), then comes a bathroom with a double-ended roll-top bath and a walk-in shower, and the bedroom, with its super-king bed, is at the top. The original gatehouse pulley system is still in the building, though the rooftop is not open to guests.

Outside, a fairy-lit hot tub looks out to the woods. One or two well-behaved dogs are welcome; Tower O’Ess is not suitable for babies or children.

A very special place, looked after especially well.
Glen Tanar Estate
What is here

The kitchen has an electric cooker, a microwave, a dishwasher and a fridge freezer, and the sitting room has a wood-burning stove with unlimited logs, games and books.

Hot tub
Wood for fires
Bath tub
Private terrace or patio
Outdoor dining area
EV charging point
Baking equipment
Barbecue
Bicycle storage
Books
Dishwasher
Dog friendly
Kitchen
TV
Wifi
Wood-burning stove
Good to know
Sleeps
Two, in a super-king at the top of the tower.
Dogs
Up to two, at £25 each. Never left alone inside.
Children
Not suitable for babies or children.
Steps
A 64-step spiral stair; five steps at the door.
Logs
Unlimited, for the wood-burning stove.
Laundry
A washer-dryer nearby, not in the tower.
Bikes
Secure storage, e-bike charging and a bike wash.
Charging
An electric car charger.
Smoking
Never indoors.
Finding it
Use AB34 5EU: the Estate Office at Brooks House, past the end of the public road.
Aboyne bridge
Closed for now; come in by Dinnet bridge.
By train
Stonehaven or Aberdeen, then a taxi or a hire car.
Winter
Roads to check by webcam: the Braemar snow gate and Cairn o' Mount.
Wildlife hide
The Lookout, evenings 8 to 10pm; book with the office.
Trout loch
Fly fishing from two boats; book online, 24 March to 31 October.
When it is free

November2026

MTWTFSS

Your dates

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

Book on their website
At Glen Tanar Estate
A stone cottage with a red tiled roof and green-framed windows sits beside a gravel patio, a hammock and table set among shrubs.Rowan CottageSleeps 2
  • An old farm bothy
  • A granite fireplace
Check datesA stone gate lodge with steep gables and green-framed windows sits beside a stone boundary wall, a planter of flowers by the green door.Joiner’s CottageSleeps 4
  • The joiner's original features
  • Trails from the door
Free 11–14 NovA round metal garden table with two chairs stands on a lawn beside a bottle of wine and glasses, pink flowering shrubs and a green-framed conservatory behind.Garden CottageSleeps 4
  • Inside the walled garden
  • Pet-free
Free 10–13 NovWoodendSleeps 4
  • The old hydropower sub-station
  • A double-height room
Free 11–14 NovWest MillfieldSleeps 5
  • Over woods and fields
  • Stained glass windows
Free 4–7 NovA sitting room with two sofas and armchairs arranged around a low table, framed prints on the wall and a lamp lit in the corner.Butler's LodgeSleeps 6
  • The butler's old home
  • An enclosed garden
Free 11–14 NovThe whole placeGlen Tanar EstateAll seven cottages, the estate that made them and what there is to do in it.See Glen Tanar Estate
On the estate

What Glen Tanar offers its guests, from the river to the hill.

Trout Fishing at Glen Tanar, AberdeenshireOn the private lochTrout fishingThe estate's own trout loch, for beginners and old hands, with a ghillie to show you where.
Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre, AberdeenshireOver the moorHorse ridingRide out through the pinewoods and across open moorland from the estate's equestrian centre.
A track through Glen Tanar between pines and yellow broom.From the doorThe pinewoodsMile upon mile of paths through ancient Scots pine, along the Water of Tanar and out to Mount Keen.Highland cow with long horns standing in a grassy woodland clearingA 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.
Where it is

Tower O’Ess stands at the entrance to Glen Tanar, on the banks of the River Tanar, on the south side of the River Dee on Royal Deeside.

The estate lies in the Cairngorms National Park and its postal address is Aboyne. The estate’s own directions reach the tower from Dinnet: cross Dinnet bridge, turn left onto the B976 and after three miles turn right at the Bridge and Tower o’ Ess. The sat nav postcode, AB34 5EU, goes to the Estate Office at Brooks House, two miles further into the glen. Aberdeen Airport is about an hour away; a taxi from the airport costs at least £65, and the estate suggests hiring a car or calling the Estate Office for a taxi firm.

Getting hereSouth 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.

Close byWhere the Glen Tanar estate sends its guests.
  1. Trout Fishing at Glen Tanar, AberdeenshireThe trout lochThe estate's own loch in the pine forest: fly fishing from two boats, beginners as welcome as seasoned anglers.On the estate
  2. Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre, AberdeenshireGlen Tanar Equestrian CentreRides round the trout loch and into the Wood of Caledon, or up into the hills; run independently of the estate.On the estate
  3. The Boat Inn, AboyneThe Boat InnA classic Scottish pub and restaurant at Aboyne, which the estate calls a stone's throw from Glen Tanar.9 miles 16 min by road
  4. Finzean Farm Shop and tearoom with the Feugh valley beyond.Finzean Farm ShopA place for lunch, with local produce to take home too.9 miles 16 min by road
  5. Burn O’Vat, AboyneBurn o' VatAn easy walk at Muir of Dinnet to a natural rock cauldron carved by glacial meltwater.8 miles 14 min by road
  6. Loch Kinord, AberdeenshireLoch KinordA peaceful lochside walk at Muir of Dinnet, rich in wildlife, for a relaxed day outdoors.6 miles 13 min by road
  7. The Burn of Dess tumbling down its gorge among bare trees.Dess WaterfallA short woodland walk at Kincardine O'Neil to a waterfall on the Water of Dess.12 miles 20 min by road
  8. Two white gliders on the grass of Aboyne airfield, the Deeside hills beyond.Deeside Gliding ClubWave soaring over the Cairngorms, from the club that holds the UK altitude record of 38,600 feet.7 miles 12 min by road
  9. Pink heather and forest below the hills around Scolty.Scolty HillA gentle climb through woodland above Banchory to a summit with views over Deeside.15 miles 25 min by road
  10. Fish Shop Restaurant, AberdeenshireFish ShopLocal seafood in Ballater, at a restaurant with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.11 miles 19 min by road
  11. The Balmoral Arms' dining room, dark walls hung with pictures above tartan banquettes.The Balmoral ArmsIn Ballater, a menu of locally sourced produce and Cairngorms cooking.11 miles 18 min by road
  12. Snow-dusted hills reflect fading light over a still loch at duskLoch MuickA circular walk round the loch beneath Lochnagar, with mountain scenery all the way.
Directions
Highland cow with long horns standing in a grassy woodland clearingAttractionsGlen TanarA step away
A track through Glen Tanar between pines and yellow broom.WalksGlen Tanar Pinewoods WalkA step away
Shelves of floury sourdough loaves at Courie Courie.AttractionsCourie Courie Bakery2.8 miles as the crow flies
Espresso streams into an orange cup on a chrome machineCafeSpider on a Bicycle Cafe2.9 miles as the crow flies
Aerial view of a golf course with fairways, bunkers and a river beyondAttractionsAboyne Golf Club3.4 miles as the crow flies
Cambus O'May Suspension Bridge, AberdeenshireAttractionsCambus o’ May Suspension Bridge7.4 miles
The Dinnie Stones, BanchoryAttractionsThe Dinnie Stones8.0 miles
Framed line drawing beside a hanging plant in a white macramé potCafePotarch Café8.1 miles
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, AboyneAttractionsMuir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve8.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

Days out from Tower O'EssAll days out from here
  1. Glen Tanar and lunch at the Potarch CaféGlen Tanar and lunch at the Potarch CaféHalf a mile away A few hours
  2. A walk up Mount Keen from Glen TanarA walk up Mount Keen from Glen TanarHalf a mile away A day out
  3. A picnic watching the gliders at AboyneA picnic watching the gliders at Aboyne1 mile away A few hours
  4. Aboyne Green and a pint at the Boat InnAboyne Green and a pint at the Boat Inn3 miles away A few hours
  5. A walk along the Deeside Way from Aboyne to BallaterA walk along the Deeside Way from Aboyne to Ballater3 miles away A day out
  6. Aboyne on foot: the Green, the bridge and Birsemore LochAboyne on foot: the Green, the bridge and Birsemore Loch3 miles away A day out
  7. Tarland and the Howe of Cromar: stones, a loch and a tearoomTarland and the Howe of Cromar: stones, a loch and a tearoom4 miles away A day out
  8. Burn o' Vat and lunch at the Fish Shop in BallaterBurn o' Vat and lunch at the Fish Shop in Ballater4 miles away A few hours
  9. Loch Kinord walk to the Kinord CrossLoch Kinord walk to the Kinord Cross4 miles away A few hours
  10. Loch Kinord and pizza at Kite in DinnetLoch Kinord and pizza at Kite in Dinnet4 miles away A few hours
  11. A picnic by the Cambus o' May bridgeA picnic by the Cambus o' May bridge4 miles away A few hours
  12. A walk from Tarland to Tomnaverie Stone CircleA walk from Tarland to Tomnaverie Stone Circle5 miles away A few hours
  13. Cambus o' May bridge and an ice cream at Shorty'sCambus o' May bridge and an ice cream at Shorty's5 miles away A few hours
  14. Culsh Earth House and lunch at Douneside HouseCulsh Earth House and lunch at Douneside House6 miles away A few hours
  15. Potarch: the café, the Dinnie Stones and the Deeside WayPotarch: the café, the Dinnie Stones and the Deeside Way7 miles away A day out
  16. Whisky, Castles & Pyramids - A 35-Mile Trail Through Aberdeenshire’s Royal HeartlandWhisky, Castles & Pyramids - A 35-Mile Trail Through Aberdeenshire’s Royal Heartland7 miles away A day out
  17. 1 day in Royal Deeside1 day in Royal Deeside7 miles away A day out
  18. Loch Muick and a picnic at Glas-allt-ShielLoch Muick and a picnic at Glas-allt-Shiel7 miles away A few hours
  19. Ballater's Riverside Walk and a pint at the Balmoral ArmsBallater's Riverside Walk and a pint at the Balmoral Arms7 miles away A few hours
  20. A wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch LeargA wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch Learg7 miles away A few hours
  21. Up Craigendarroch, above BallaterUp Craigendarroch, above Ballater7 miles away A few hours
  22. The Mackenzie Memorial walk at BallaterThe Mackenzie Memorial walk at Ballater7 miles away A few hours
  23. The Seven Bridges walk at BallaterThe Seven Bridges walk at Ballater7 miles away A day out
  24. Ballater and Crathie: a royal day on DeesideBallater and Crathie: a royal day on Deeside7 miles away A day out
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