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Norwegian style cottage set in a peaceful location

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Exterior detail
Old Mains Cottage is situated in its own private grounds
A red door with a window, a mailbox, and a stone wall.
Exterior detail
Cottage garden grounds

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Barbecue
    A rare find - perfect for a relaxed, outdoor grilling experience.
  • A quiet escape
    Guests like the location for the peace and quiet.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Ski lift privileges
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Explore the area

View map
Alford, Scotland

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds and 1 Crib

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Norwegian style cottage set in a peaceful location

Old Mains Cottage is a Norwegian style cottage set in its own extensive peaceful grounds.

The original cottage is approximately 200 years old and has a modern extension added to it. The facilities include: wood burning stoves; oil fired central heating; double glazing; fully equipped kitchen; shower room; two bedrooms (one double, two singles & a cot); large mature garden and dedicated parking for two cars.

The property makes a great base for discovering the many attractions of the Aberdeenshire and Morayshire areas because it is ideally situated between Deeside and Donside.

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Exterior
A 'Home from Home' to explore and enjoy the beautiful North East of Scotland.
Alford
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (14 reviews)
A 'Home from Home' to explore and enjoy the beautiful North East of Scotland.

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
There is a cot in the upstairs bedroom area
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please ensure the oven has been switched off.
Please ensure you look under the beds for any misplaced clothing.
Please ensure you take your phone chargers and cables.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please remove outside shoes when in the cottage

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number AS-00677-P
Property # 10267210
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Alford

Located in Alford, this cottage is in a rural area. Craigievar Castle and Alford Valley Steam Railway are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Aboyne Golf Club and Reflect Spa. Deeside Activity Park and Insch Meadows Wildlife Area are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging.
View more Cottages in AlfordOpens in a new window
Map
Alford, Scotland

Getting around

  • Kintore Station - 36 min drive
  • Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Alford Bistro - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Kildrummy Inn - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Great Wall Chinese Restaurant - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Aberdeen Arms - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Chloe’s Kitchen Creations - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Norwegian style cottage set in a peaceful location pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Norwegian style cottage set in a peaceful location?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Norwegian style cottage set in a peaceful location?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Norwegian style cottage set in a peaceful location?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Norwegian style cottage set in a peaceful location located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Craigievar Castle, Grampian Transport Museum and Alford Valley Steam Railway. Haughton Country Park and Kildrummy Castle are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Malcolm L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Good value. Friendly and helpful hosts
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely wee place

Great wee cottage. Very good amenities and well located.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jon O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect place for exploring the Don valley

Clean, warm and comfortable. Set in a small wood so the birdsong was beautiful in the morning. Everything you need for an enjoyable stay. The whole area is stunning.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Fiona r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cosy cottage

Lovely clean and comfortable cottage.Loved the Norwegian touches .It was a good base for us to visit the many castles in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Cosy,warm and very clean.Lovely hosts who were extremely helpful Even arranging to return via post something I had left after our stay.Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug 2024
Thank you for your recent review. It was great hosting you and you’d be most welcome to stay at our cottage again 😃
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and well-equipped

Such an unique and cared-for cottage. It has everything you could ever need and is decorated with such love and attention to detail. Absolutely loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

susan l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Old main cottage

Had a lovely stay in peaceful surroundings,the cottage felt like a home away from home with a fully equipped kitchen with all the mod cons and cosy living and bedroom with woodburners. whilst there we seen the northern lights and Balmoral castle was a short drive away.Excellent communication with the host's Will be returning
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 May 2025
Thank you for your recent kind review and we’re delighted that you saw the Northern Lights during your recent stay. Hoping you’ll return again soon for more adventures!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great hideaway

Really lovely location, so quiet. with nice walks along quiet country roads from the door. Cottage is cosy and kitchen surprisingly well equipped. Anne the host was super helpful and readily available. Lots to do in the surrounding areas, Deeside for walks and little towns/cafes, coast with great beaches and walks (an hours drive) and Aberdeen just 45mins for city things! Loved our visit, would definitely go again.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Oct 2024
Thank you for your review and it was great to host you. We’d be delighted if you returned to this part of Aberdeenshire and stayed with us again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marjolein B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Old-timey but well furnished

We were surprised of how well the house is stocked, that made our stay very comfortable. We have met Anne upon arrival and she was lovely and made sure we were all setteled before she went. She prepared a list of things to do, where to park the car things
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2024
Thank you for your recent review of “Old Mains Cottage”. It was lovely to meet you and I also hope you liked some of the places I suggested visiting in the local area.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

Peaceful and serene. Beautiful pair of pheasants visited every evening around dusk. Tricky parking but worked out fine.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Cosy Nest Among the Trees

We had a lovely stay at this beautiful cottage — it really had everything you could need and more. Clean, cosy, and well-equipped, with a lovely wood burner if you fancy it (though we didn’t need it, the central heating kept the whole place toasty). Tucked away in a peaceful, rural spot, it’s perfect for relaxing and switching off, with plenty of places nearby to explore. The only downside? The week went by far too quickly — we could have happily stayed longer!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

5 days with granddaughter

This was a perfect place for us to spend time with our granddaughter. The cottage was well equipped for small children, including a cot, booster seat and plastic cups. We visited many fun and interesting g places within an hour’s drive. David the host was in contact to make sure we had everything we needed and offered suggestions about things to do in the area. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend the Old Mains Cottage.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience

We had a lovely time at the property. Very quiet and peaceful. Property owners were available and answered all requests promptly. Note, there is nothing nearby in terms of shops and restaurants. The nearest is about a 20 minute drive. Not necessarily a problem—just something to be aware of!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emily R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect rural getaway!

I travelled to the cottage myself and my 2 young children. From the moment we walked in we fell in love with the decor. The cottage is so warm and cosy we felt right at home. The cottage was extremely well equipped and the owners had thought of everything. Anne and David are lovely kind people and recommended some great places to visit nearby with children also. The garden was a wildlife hotspot and we loved watching and seeing what we would spot. The parking although slightly narrow was fine for us even in a large van. The property is very rural but this suited us well and is a great base for days out exploring the area. Would love to stay again! Thank you for your kindness and lovely cottage.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alwin W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wir sind als Gruppe von vier Freunden zu Anne in dieses süße Cottage gereist und haben von hier aus das wunderschöne Schottland entdeckt. Wir hatten einen super angenehmen Aufenthalt bei dem es uns an nichts gefehlt hat, da das Cottage wirklich super ausgestattet war. Wer in kälteren Monaten reist muss sich aber bewusst sein, dass das Cottage nicht so gut isoliert ist, allerdings wird einem mit der Heizung nie kalt.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Daniel B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Umfassend ausgestattetes Haus. Man merkt das es das Ferienhaus der Familie ist. Geschirrspüler usw.. Leider gab es keinen Hinweis wie man die Heizung etwas wärmer einstellen kann.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Aug 2025
I sent an email (4/8/25) prior to your arrival and it contained information regarding the central heating. Alternatively you could have looked in the house manual in the living room, or messaged me.
Verified

8/10 Good

Martijn T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sfeervol huis!

Deze cottage is al lang in de familie en sfeervol en gezellig, met veel zorg ingericht. Het onderscheidt zich daarmee wat ons betreft positief van een doorsnee vakantiehuis. Geen Ikea! Fijn om in te verblijven. De schoonmaak was werkelijk zorgvuldig gedaan- veel werk bij zo'n huis met al die kleine dingetjes. Een compliment waard! We hadden er een fijne vakantieweek. Er zijn heel veel leuke en interessante dingen in de omgeving. Wij konden het huis moeilijk vinden, de betreffende email met aanwijzingen waren we kwijtgeraakt en de coördinaten gaven op onze navigatie een locatie aan op een paar honderd meter afstand. Ook was er geen- duidelijk zichtbaar- naambordje. Gelukkig reageerde de verhuurder direct op onze vraag om hulp, zodat het snel goed kwam. Toch zou een bordje aan de straat nuttig zijn. In huis is het wat aan de donkere kant. De zit van de fauteuils in de woonkamer is niet top en er is te weinig verlichting. Het tweepersoonsbed is kwalitatief goed, maar echt te hard. Een opdekmatras (topper) is wenselijk. De toegangsweg is wat modderig- geen groot probleem-, maar onderaan toch wat te slecht. Op de plaats om te keren stond tot twee keer toe een andere auto. Deze verbeterpunten nemen niet weg dat we over het huis en de verhuurders heel positief kunnen oordelen.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2023
Hi Martin, Thank for your review and suggestions. We have replaced the mattress on the double bed and improved the cottage signage. Glad you had a great stay. Kind regards, Anne
Verified

8/10 Good

Andrea v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Fijn verblijf

Fijn verblijf, leuke omgeving. Enige minpunt was dat de slaapkamer vrij vochtig was en alles daardoor klam aanvoelde.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jutta L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

perfect

It's a wonderful place to relax. The kitchen is well equipped and everything is super clean. Thanks very much!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Margaret M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short break in Aberdeenshire

Unusual quirky property. A less hi-tech approach would have suited us better eg traditional directions which mentioned the VERY sharp right hand turn onto the track beside the dustbins would have been helpful. Beware - the KS bed is VERY firm!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Joanne G.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Plenty of space and everything you need.

Clean, tidy and everything we needed.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Mariska H.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Goede lokatie om Cairngorms te bezichtigen

Groot gezellig huis. Alles wat je ooit nodig zal hebben is aanwezig en nog veel meer. Mooi uitzicht op weiland met koeien. Bedden waren helaas erg slecht. Door de vele instructies/restricties voelde het wel minder ontspannen.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

janetta c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Old Mains Cottage

Property was clean with plenty of kitchen equipment. Area beautiful
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint cottage in the woods

The cottage is in a quiet rural area. Once inside, it was warm and homely with lots of nice touches. The wifi was very good. Heating and shower were good, with comfortable rooms throughout
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bethany S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very cosy, perfect for access to cairngorms

Beautiful cottage with log burners in both bedroom and living room. These were great with the cold weather we had. Really great value for money, location is perfect for access to the caingorms national park for snow sports and walks. Also close to Aberdeen and the east coast. Cottage had all the appliances you could need. Thanks for a great stay
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2021

About the host

Hosted by Anne Gray

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Norwegian

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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