Entire home

Delightful highland home in Ballater village

Photo gallery for Delightful highland home in Ballater village

Front Door + Off Street Parking
Property video
Kitchen + Breakfast Bar
Open Plan Living Room + Kitchen + Dining
Living Room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedroomsSleeps 6123 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Ballater, Scotland
  • Ballater Library
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Ballater Golf Club
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Balmoral Castle
    ‪12 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Double Bedroom (Downstairs)

1 Double Bed

Master Bedroom (Upstairs)

1 Queen Bed

Twin Room (Upstairs)

2 Single Beds

Downstairs shower room

Toilet · Shower only

Master en-suite

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Delightful highland home in Ballater village

A cosy and traditionally decorated self-catering holiday cottage, Gairnshiel can accommodate groups, families and couples. Ideal for a relaxing break in Royal Deeside.

Gairnshiel Cottage can comfortably sleep six people. The cottage is spacious and is tastefully decorated to a high standard, with a traditional Scottish theme.

There are two good-sized upstairs bedrooms, one king-size with en-suite shower room and one twin-bedded room. Downstairs there is a double bedroom which is located next to a shower room. Each bedroom has a wardrobe and plenty of storage space. There is a hairdryer and all linen and towels are provided.

Downstairs there is a cosy lounge with seating for six people and a woodburning stove which is very welcoming after a day outdoors. There is a Smart TV, Bose bluetooth speaker and games and puzzles for all ages. Gairnshiel's well-equipped kitchen is open plan with the lounge, separated by a breakfast bar. There is a fridge-freezer, washing machine, dishwasher and microwave. The dining room is also open plan with the lounge to suit modern living.

The lounge opens out onto a large patio area with a seating for al fresco dining. The south facing garden is a fabulous suntrap, the sun can be enjoyed from early morning to the last rays in the evening. There is access to a large lockable shed - perfect for guests to store bikes or golf clubs etc.

There is off-street parking directly outside the cottage.

Gairnshiel Cottage is located in the centre of the Victorian village of Ballater and has all the amenities of the village on the doorstep. Ballater has many shops, cafes, restaurants and galleries to enjoy, most notably the recently refurbished Old Royal Station minutes from the cottage.

From the cottage there are many walks to explore - from the paths along the river, the recently opened Seven Bridges Walk and of course Craigendarroch Hill with it's spectacular views of Ballater and Lochnagar.

Ballater is just 7km from Balmoral Castle and Estate, the Royal Family's Scottish holiday home since 1852.

Ballater and Royal Deeside has the most stunning scenery and is an ideal base for hill-walking, cycling, fishing, golfing and many more outdoor pursuits.

Property manager

Mark
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 10 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
House trained dogs only, please ask first.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
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
Property Registration Number AS 00137F

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ballater

Ballater is home to this holiday home. Balmoral Castle and Corgarff Castle are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Ballater Golf Club and Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
Map
Ballater, Scotland

What's nearby

  • Ballater Library - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Victoria and Albert Halls - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Ballater Golf Club - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Cairngorms National Park - 11 min drive - 15.9 km
  • Balmoral Castle - 12 min drive - 15.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪The Balmoral Bar - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Clachan Grill - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Brown Sugar Cafe - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Ballater railway station - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Loch Kinord Hotel - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Delightful highland home in Ballater village pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 10 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Delightful highland home in Ballater village?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Delightful highland home in Ballater village?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Delightful highland home in Ballater village located?

Situated in Ballater, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Victoria and Albert Halls, Ballater Library and Ballater Golf Club. Cairngorms National Park and Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 37 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Steve W.

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

Nice home in excellent central location

A lovely home with 3 good-sized bedrooms and a nice open plan kitchen-living-dining area. It is in a quiet residential neighbourhood, but only a minute's walk from the centre of Ballater.Communication with Mark the host was easy and he was very responsive. Ballater is a beautiful little town with loads of amenities and nearby places to visit. Thoroughly recommend! :-)
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carole G.

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

Short stay

Great cottage - clean/welcoming & very homely. Extra little welcome touches were appreciated - ideal location …would recommend and return - thank you
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gillian S.

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

Great find

Excellent cottage everything you could ask for clean comfortable and right on Ballater doorstep for walks, restaurants, shops, great week made better by the weather
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Graham F.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property needs a new patio sliding door or repair as it kept sticking it seems the runners are worn out The detergent drawer on the washer was dirty The cottage windows were dirtyAnd the ground floor bedroom light didn’t work shame really otherwise it was a decent place. Oh and the check out time surely it doesn’t need 7hours to turn it around.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

mary G.

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

Beautiful Ballater

Everything was perfect. Our only disappointment was that we had to leave the property by 9 am which seemed rather early.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lesley j., Scotland

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

Quality holiday accommodation

A lovely well equipped house in great quiet yet central location in Ballater. Extremely comfortable and spacious with high quality fixtures and fittings. Great for dogs and children- being secure in garden area and easy access to wonderful walking and cycling as well as excellent shops and cafes etc. Highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Clare M.

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

Beautiful cottage

Fantastic week away in beautiful Ballater. The cottage was so cosy and welcoming. The beds were so comfortable and we really slept well. The cottage is situated on the edge of town in a very quiet location. The garden is enclosed so great for our dogs. One to definitely recommend to friends and family. Thank you Mark, we will see you again.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gillian C.

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

Great house, very central

We had a really nice week In Ballater and we were able to find plenty walks around Ballater without needing the car. The house was very central and suited our needs. It was a bonus that the owners left some provisions for us on arrival and we were able to try some Deeside specialities. The house was clean and perfect for our family stay
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Clare M.

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

Beautiful homely cottage

This is the 2nd time we have stayed here. It is a very cosy and comfortable holiday cottage, that is well equipped. It has comforrtable beds, with sparkling white linens and towels. It is located excellent for the town, with a fabulous bakery and butchers. We also sampled the fish and chips which were very good too. Would definitely reccomend to friends and family. Thank you Mark and family for the lovely welcome pack, which included some local produce and a lovely wine, much appreciated. Would give this 5 stars for comfort and a lovely welcoming cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jayne F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Kate D.

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

Great stay in Ballater

This property was ideal for our stay in Ballater for the annual walking festival. The house was well appointed, comfortable, warm and had everything we needed for a most enjoyable holiday.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Carole H.

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

Xmas holiday

Cozy cottage for our Xmas holiday’s. Beds were very comfortable, excellent quality bedding and towels. Sofas a bit on the small side for our group. Fantastic welcome basket much appreciated
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lynn T.

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

Fantastic Stay

We stayed here for a week in June and loved everything about it. The property won’t disappoint its lovely, clean and had everything we were looking for. 2 minutes walk from the shops. Thank you Mark and family we will be back next year ♥️
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Audrey L.

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

Excellent property

Comfortable and homely. Mark was very attentive and informative. Lovely personal touches which were very much appreciated.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison G.

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

Perfect location, perfect cottage

Everything about the cottage was perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed our week in Ballater. Marc is a very attentive host - there was even a welcome basket and a farewell present. Would highly recommend it. Thanks a lot!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eileen O.

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

Great cottage in excellent location

What a gem, perfect getaway property . Very well equipped clean and full of amenities. Location fantastic for all local attractions and well placed for travel to surrounding areas. Definitely would recommend and we will book again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lesley D.

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

More amazing memories made in Ballater

Our ‘home from home’ week away. ❤️❤️ Another fabulous week with family, meeting up with friends, eating out, enjoying walks with our pooch and soaking up the sunshine. Very relaxing. We will be back next year. Love our get aways in Ballater, made all the more special by the amazing hosts. Thank you
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Helen C.

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

Comfortable and central

Two minute walk to Ballater shops, very comfortable beds, very clean and well equipped. Great situation to explore this lovely area - castles, forest walks, river walks, etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michal M.

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

winter break

We had an excellent time during during school winter break. The cottage is located close to main square. We especially enjoyed the open plan living space with a fire place. Mark was very welcoming and responsive to all communication. My son especially enjoys a farewell gift. We are already planning when to come back in the summer.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tom I.

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

Wonderful Christmas in Ballater

Many thanks Mark & family for the use of your house in Ballater over Christmas. The property was clean, tidy and equipped with everything we needed for a week's stay. Communication with Mark in the lead up and during our stay was a breeze and the house was just as described in the listing. It is right in the heart of Ballater which is a lovely town and well placed to explore Deeside and the Cairngorms. Would highly recommend - we hope to be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dawn H.

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

Garnshiel Cottage

We had such a lovely stay in this lovely cottage for 5 nights. The village of Ballater is beautiful with lots of walks and places to visit, our favourite being Balmoral. There are lots of shops to buy provisions and we ate at the Deeside Inn twice within walking distance. Dogs were made very welcome. The cottage is very comfortable and spacious and we lit the log fire a couple of evenings. Beds and bedding were so comfy and there is everything you need included, plus a few provisions on arrival which were really appreciated. We would definitely stay there again if we were in the area
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janet K.

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

Family holiday- perfect location and lovely Cottage

Ideal for our 3 generation family holiday. Short walk into the heart of the village. Accommodation was perfect and as described. The cottage was spotless and we loved the welcome pack of food on arrival. Mark was excellent in replying to any questions prior to our visit. If we visit Ballater again then I would have no hesitation in booking this cottage again.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kevin I.

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

Ballater Staycation

From initial enquiry to departing the host Mark was highly professional & very helpful. The property is excellently located,clean well decorated & furnished with everything you need .One of the best holiday rentals I have visited & highly recommend!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Isabel T.

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

Family holiday in Ballater

Lovely cottage, location perfect, had a great holiday in Ballater. Owner communication excellent.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Leah i.

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

Lovely house, great location and fantastic host, can’t wait to go back.

The owner couldn’t have done more to make us feel welcome. The house is set up brilliantly and the location is stunning. What more could you ask for.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

About the host

Hosted by Mark

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests