This modern, purpose built house, Hollybush House has direct access to the bank of the River Spey in the village of Carron, near Aberlour, Speyside. It's ideal for either spotting birds of prey including the osprey at loch Garten and the  plentiful game birds.  Insh Marshes in the flood plain of the River Spey is home to many species of wader and duck - many of which are found only in this area or are very rare elsewhere.

At the coast, which is about half an hour's drive away, you can discover the wonderfully numerous coastal birds on the north Aberdeenshire coast including at  Troup Head near Pennan,  Scotland's largest collection of gannets, guillemots, razorbills, puffins and kittiwakes. The Loch of Strathbeg at Rattray Head is an important, shallow fresh water lake for pink-footed and greylag geese, whooper swans and many varieties of duck.  Further south at Forvie Sands in Newburgh, is Britain's largest colony of breeding eider, with a wealth of birds all along this splendidly rugged coastline.

Royal Deeside Woodland Lodges (Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Ballater) Comfortable 2 bedroom log cabins Set in the Heart of Royal Deeside at the Eastern Gateway to the Cairngorm National Park. Located in the wee rustic village of Dinnet, our Woodland Lodges make an ideal base to visit and explore the many sporting and tourist activities Royal Deeside has to offer such as Balmoral castle, Lochnagar and the other stunning landscapes in this part of Scotland. Go horse riding, paddle in shallow mountain streams. Each sleeps up to 4 people in 2 bedrooms. New Year in Scotland is still something special. We welcome you come and celebrate the New Year in with us in a traditional Scottish manner.

 The Aberdeenshire coastline is simply wonderful for watching seabirds.  Make sure that you don't miss Bullers of Buchan just north of  Cruden Bay for the awe-inspiringly tall seabird cliffs, puffins in season and throngs of seabirds. The Newburgh Ythan estuary is wonderful for waders. Geese always overwinter. Driving an hour inland takes you to the Highlands and totally different types of habitat. 

The small villages roundabout all have pubs for good Scottish fare and a wee dram. Please click on image for details.

Westerlix Cottages near Killin in Perthshire are in another area rich in wildlife.  You will find two secluded cottages: Heather Cottage and the Steading.  A night safari is highly recommended for spotting owls and all manner of wild life.  It will be a truly  unforgettable experience. 

Our comfortable self-catering log cabins are set in the centre of Royal Deeside at the Eastern Gateway to the Cairngorms National Park.

Located in the wee rustic village of Dinnet, our Woodland Lodges make a convenient base to visit and explore the many sporting and tourist activities Royal Deeside has to offer.

Outdoor activities include bird watching, fishing, walking, gliding, shooting, quad biking, archery, go-carting, mountain climbing, skiing (Glenshee and the Lecht for skiing and fabulous views are only a 45 minute drive away).

Visitor attractions in this north east part of Scotland include Balmoral Castle (10 miles away), the Castle trail, Whisky Trail for a range of distilleries to tour and whiskies to sample, Victorian Heritage Trail, Aberdeen City and the Coast, Cairngorm National Park with plenty of opportunities for bird spotting including eagles and other birds of prey .....

Each lodge has 2 bedrooms sleeping up to 4 people. They have fully fitted kitchen including integrated dishwasher and fridge freezer. With spacious open plan lounge/kitchen/dining areas and a decked patio area to enjoy in the summer months. The bathroom has bath tub and shower. The lodges are double glazed and centrally heated making them a cosy retreat after a day out on Royal Deeside.

Honey Cottage is a delightful semi-detached dwelling situated up a quiet lane in the village if Dinnet, in the heart of Royal Deeside. Built out of granite in the 19th century, Honey was originally used as a cottage to accomodate workers from the local estate.

Nowadays, Honey Cottage offers clean and cosy accommodation to tourists and vistors, providing an excellent base for exploration, adventure or relaxation. Furbished to a very high standard throughout, Honey Cottage has an open-plan kitchen/sitting room with wood burning stove. Upstairs are 2 bedrooms - one double and one with 3/4 sized bed - and a bathroom with bath and shower. The cottage also has a clematis clad patio area to the back with seating for four with barbecue and chimniere. Rent is inclusive of all linen and towels, fuel and logs.

For the hill walker, the hills of Deeside start at the front door; for the skier, the cottage is conveniently placed for both The Lecht and Glenshee ski slopes; golf, hunting, shooting, fishing, pony-trekking, gliding and many more outdoor and water sports activities are all available locally and can be arranged.

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Royal Deeside and places of interest

Honey Cottage is ideally situated for exploring all the tourist attractions of the area. Ballater, Balmoral Castle and Crathie Kirk, the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Braemar and several of the Aberdeenshire properties of the National Trust of Scotland are within easy reach.

Aboyne has a swimming pool and local theatre/community centre. There is salmon fishing on the River Dee and many opportunities for trout fishing and field sports. For the hill walker and mountaineer the attractions of Morven, Mount Keen and Lochnager beckon from the panoramic views from this beautiful country home.

The ski slopes of the Lecht and Glenshee are within a 40 minute drive. Highland Games take place each summer at Aboyne, Tarland, Ballater and Braemar. For the cyclist the former Deeside Railway line is close by, along with many quiet roads and challenging forest tracks.

The Deeside Gliding Club is five miles away and the Loch of Kinnord is a bird watching area of outstanding beauty. Shops, banks, post offices, eating places, petrol stations and garages are available in Tarland, Aboyne or Ballater.

Click on the cottage photograph for email link and prices.