Craigendarroch House, a grand Scottish baronial Villa modelled on Balmoral Castle, offers a unique retreat in the Cairngorms. Unwind by the open fire or enjoy luxury amenities like an indoor bar with wine cooler and outdoor bars with karaoke and gas BBQ.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
6 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 12
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Pet friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Craigendarroch House
Enjoy a holiday in your very own castle! Modelled on Balmoral Castle, this delightful house is spacious enough for all the family.. Ground Floor:
Living room: TV, Sky Movies, DVD Player, Open Fire
Dining room: Books
Kitchen: Breakfast Area, Electric Oven, Induction Hob, Aga, Microwave, Fridge, Dishwasher
Living room 2: TV, Sky Movies, Open Fire
Utility Room: Fridge/Freezer, Washing Machine
Living Room 3: TV, Wine Cooler
Wet Room: Shower, Heated Towel Rail, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 1: Super Kingsize (6ft) Bed, TV, Sky Movies, Dressing Area Ensuite: Bath, Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 2: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV, Sky Movies
Bedroom 3: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Wet Room: Shower, Heated Towel Rail, Toilet
Second Floor:
Bedroom 4: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV
Bedroom 5: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, TV
Bedroom 6: 2 x Kingsize (5ft) Beds (Flexible Sleeping Only), TV, Sky Movies. Oil central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Fuel for open fires available locally. Travel cot and highchair. Large, enclosed lawned garden with 2 summerhouses, garden furniture, bar with TV and karaoke, and gas BBQ. Hot tub. Bike store. Private parking for 5 cars. No smoking.. A romantic ‘castle’ in the heart of the Cairngorms; grandeur and cosy are hard to find together but Craigendarroch House combines the two with ease. In truth, a traditional Scottish baronial Villa modelled on Balmoral Castle, Craigandarroch House with turrets and tower was designed by the architect William Smith who also designed Balmoral, a short drive up along Royal Deeside. You’ll find Craigendarroch House traditionally and stylishly decorated with all the convenience of contemporary living for a comfortable family holiday. Every attention to detail has been made, with comfortable seating and dining in the delightful garden, luxury bed linen and towels and even indoor and outdoor bars. From the moment you come through the gates up the sweeping driveway you’ll appreciate the traditional Scottish architecture with the stunning backdrop of Craigendarroch Hill behind the house. Any sprightly visitors must make the effort to walk up and admire the views from the top – a strenuous but short (30-minute) climb.
Whilst the house has all the convenience of being central to the delightful and busy town of Ballater, it also provides total privacy inside and out. Ballater and the surrounding area has a wealth of restaurants and coffee shops, some within easy walking distance, with the benefit of having the Highlands right on your doorstop for exploring further.
The house is exceptionally well maintained, with six large bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms and three further family bathrooms, all with modern fittings and tastefully decorated. Full central heating throughout is extremely efficient – you will be lovely and cosy in winter and there is an open fire in drawing room. The home benefits from large rooms for all the family, but there are smaller rooms for a quiet game of chess or reading in the snug or conservatory. Overlooking the front garden, the drawing room is large and sunny with seating for whole family, ideal for relaxed entertaining with its large fireplace. There is also a formal oak panelled dining room with wall-to-wall books. There is an indoor bar with TV and wine/beer fridges, perfect for having a wee dram while watching Scotland win the rugby!
There is certainly plenty to explore in the stunning surrounding countryside with the glorious river and mountain landscape of Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, leisurely walks can be enjoyed along the banks of the river while the adventurous can tackle the region’s famous mountains. There are good opportunities for canoeing and mountain biking, as well as skiing at the Lecht and Glenshee Centres during the winter months. Golf is available in Ballater itself, as well as Braemar and Banchory. There are castles and gardens at Balmoral, Crathes and Craigievar which are all well worth a visit.
Slightly further afield, the coastal and whisky trails offer the chance to explore the area’s heritage through stunning scenery. In August and September, Highland games are prevalent in all the towns and villages throughout the region. Shop ¼ mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.
Free WiFi
There are low ceilings, doors and/or beams within the property.
Suitable for up to 2 pets
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Hot tub
Internet
Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Parking on site
Kitchen
Dishwasher
Bedrooms
6 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
5 bathrooms
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Entertainment
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoking not allowed
Safety features
No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
The guest will be charged 50% amount for a cancellation after the reservation is made.
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number AS00473P
About the neighborhood
Ballater is home to this cottage. Lost Gallery and Grampian Transport Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Deeside Activity Park and Alford Valley Steam Railway. Visit our Ballater travel guide
Situated in Ballater, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Ballater Library and Ballater Golf Club. Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve and Balmoral Castle are also within 9 mi (15 km).
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Craigendarroch House Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 5 reviews
10 - Excellent
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Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 5 reviews
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Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 5 reviews
6 - Okay
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Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews
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Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 5 reviews
2 - Terrible
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10
Cleanliness
10
Location
Reviews
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Kirsten Husselbee
5 February 2026
Absolutely beautiful house, lovely comfy beds and so much space! Lots of great features such as hot
Absolutely beautiful house, lovely comfy beds and so much space! Lots of great features such as hot tub with summer house attached, separate bar complete with karaoke machine, and secure enclosed garden at the back to keep kids and dogs safe. Hosts super helpful. Ballater area lovely for walking, with coffee shops and restaurants within walking distance from the house.
We booked the property for a 60th Birthday with family, the house and gardens were immaculate and perfect for our stay. The hosts checked with us before and during our stay to ensure we had everything that we needed. This is a fantastic house in a beautiful village with everything on your doorstep. A fantastic stay that was just too short.
Alan S.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Laura Abel
4 July 2025
Craigendarroch House is a beautiful house! Plenty of space for large families or groups.
Craigendarroch House is a beautiful house! Plenty of space for large families or groups. Very clean and tidy. The hosts were brilliant to deal with. Would recommend this accommodation without a second thought.
Laura Abel
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Lianne Waterston
9 July 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Craigendarroch House is truly exceptional! From the moment w