Icon/Navigation/Chevron/Left Back to search

3 people have recently viewed this property

1 of 22 View Image Gallery
  • Holly Leaf Cottage - Drum Castle Estate -  - 1136183 - photo 1
close

Holly Leaf Cottage - Drum Castle Estate

(Ref. 1136183)

Drumoak near Peterculter, Aberdeenshire & Angus Show on map

4.4

Sykes rating

  • 2 Guests

  • 1 Bedroom

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (14)
  • no (12)
  • garden (10)
  • our (9)
  • road (8)
  • all (7)

20 Customer Reviews

  • "This is a lovely, cosy cottage refurbished to a high standard."

    The only issues to be aware of are that the bathroom and location. The bathroom is on the ground floor and the bedroom is up a flight of quite steep stairs so be aware if you have any mobility issues. The location is slightly spoilt being so close to the A93 which is part of the NE Coast 250. This may be ok for car enthusiasts on a sunny Sunday afternoon watching the Ferraris, Porches Austin Martin’s passing by but be aware this is a busy road at all times and there are no footpaths alongside.

    Many thanks for your feedback comments. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Fraser5.0Oct 2024

  • "We had a great few days, cottage lovely and so peaceful, cottage so quaint, really enjoyed our stay."

    Reviewed by Joanne5.0Oct 2024

  • "As per previous feedback (which I am assured is already being acted upon) the access to this property is extremely dangerous and is an accident looking for a place to happen."

    The local NTS staff are super.

    We can assure you that the water heater has been replaced. Holidays Dept of NTS Property Owner

    Reviewed by Alastair3.1Sep 2024

  • "The cottage is very cosy and stylish."

    However, there were a few things we didn't like: 1) There is no wall mirror in the bathroom. There is only a small mirror on the windowsill. Also, the hot water did not always work - we are not technically gifted - the landlord should have adjusted this better beforehand. Only the shower worked perfectly. 2) The bedroom on the upper floor cannot be ventilated as the windows are all locked. 3) The other windows in the house can't be operated either - some opened a little and you had to wedge a block of wood between them to keep them open. (We also opened the front door in the morning to air) 4) We missed a few coat hooks in the entrance area to hang up our outdoor clothes. 5) There is a huge garden - but no garden furniture. It would have been nice to be able to sit in the sun with a cup of tea. 6) There are no bowls for crockery in the kitchen. So you had to put everything in the cooking pots on the table. (Otherwise everything you needed was there). - It was well organised: The info folder did have a phone number for the manager, who you could have called if you had any requests or questions. But unfortunately my English language skills are not so good that I could speak fluently and make phone calls. Without question, the cottage is really beautiful! But the negative things .......

    Many thanks for your feedback which we take seriously. It is very unfortunate that you had problems with the hot water, we would strongly encourage any guests who have an issue to report it as soon as possible to the property team. It then gives us the opportunity to get an electrician/plumber in as soon as possible and avoids the possibility that the next guests staying are also inconvenienced. We have asked the team to check the kitchen inventory for the cottage. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Bernhard3.1Sep 2024

  • "A very quaint little house."

    Fantastically kept and maintained. Everything was just as described, and in perfect order. Thank you for making our 30th wedding anniversary special.

    Reviewed by Andrea5.0Sep 2024

  • "Nice little castle with all the basics you need."

    We are wondering about the history and couldn't find any information.

    Reviewed by Maarten5.0Aug 2024

  • "Great location for us to meet up with relatives."

    Access was quite dangerous as the cottage is on a very fast road, pulling out onto this is scary as your view of traffic is limited in both directions. Simple cutting back of hedges would help greatly. Plenty of garden to the cottage but no garden furniture to take afternoon coffee there which was sad as we had some really sunny days. The garden was great for our dogs, however the chicken mesh on the bottom of the gates could have been more secure by an extra piece of wood being added at the bottom.

    Many thanks for your feedback. The team will be trimming the hedge back to improve the sight lines for the entrance. We are also going to order some garden furniture. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Ian3.4Aug 2024

  • "Very enjoyable holiday home for a week."

    There’s plenty to explore in every direction - castles, coastal villages, highland scenery. Staying in Holly Leaf Cottage was a highlight for us

    Thank you for your kind words. Holly Leaf is in a great location for exploring Aberdeenshire. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Allan5.0Jul 2024

  • "This is a wonderful little cottage absolutely enjoyed our stay quiet and tranquil."

    Two things that could do with being added one is Wi-Fi but that’s not a problem. Second thing is outside furniture we had the most wonderful weather and we couldn’t sit outside. This was a little letdown for us in the evenings, but other than that beautiful

    Many thanks for your feedback. The National Trust for Scotland have a project at the moment to install wifi into all of the cottages and hopefully we will have it available in all 60+ properties we own. We have highlighted the comment about garden furniture to the team at Drum. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Tim5.0Jun 2024

  • "We loved the cottage, however the garden was poor, the grass had not been cut and this somewhat prevented us from using this space especially with the Dog."

    Clive and Sheila

    Many thanks for your feedback. We have had a few problems finding a gardener to look after the garden at Holly Leaf but am pleased to say that we have now taken on a gardening company to keep the grass tidy . Holidays Dept NTS Property Owner

    Reviewed by Clive4.4May 2024

  • "Absolutely perfect, can't wait to go back, had a great holiday over Christmas and New year, very homely, and cosy."

    Reviewed by Lisa5.0Dec 2023

  • "What a lovely break we had."

    It's close enough to the next town to have conveniences, but far enough away to be peaceful. The place itself is immaculate with lovely views

    Reviewed by Pete5.0Oct 2023

  • "We enjoyed our stay very much."

    I should like to mention two things: No. 1: the windows definitely need restauration. Almost all windows are not operable. You cannot air the cottage. The window in the dining room is operable in theory. But you shouldn’t really do it. It’s trying to cut off your head or at least your fingers. No. 2: Why not put at least a simple table with attached benches in the garden as you would find in many NTS gardens? You‘ve got this nice little garden behind the cottage and nothing to enjoy it.

    Many thanks for your feedback, we value all the feedback we receive. These comments are passed to the teams at each location so that they can action where it is possible to do so. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Alexander3.8Sep 2023

  • "Fantastic cottage and grounds : I absolutely loved this cottage : great garden around the cottage : so private : inside the cottage was just what we needed - everything!"

    We travelled easily to all the areas that we intended to visit over our 4day break and always looked forward to returning to the cottage and putting on the log burner : just excellent!

    Thank you so much for your review, it is a great location for visiting all the NTS Castles in the North East and Mar Lodge Estate. We look forward to welcoming you back to one of the NTS cottages in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Stephen5.0Aug 2023

  • "Ideal location between Banchory and Peterculter and is a good base for visiting various castles etc."

    Comfortable cottage with all the necessities for a week-long stay. Some outdoor furniture would be useful. The garden was a good size and secure, providing our dog a safe space to investigate. The access from the main road is awkward, however we turned our car in the lane to Coalford making access to the driveway easier. There is a broken slab covering the septic tank which should be replaced.

    Many thanks for the feedback, great to read that you found the cottage comfortable. Thank you also for the suggestion about access to the drive. The team have been notified about the slab and we have contractors booked for late Sept as we can't get them any sooner. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Andrew4.4Aug 2023

  • "We absolutely loved this cottage and would happily come again if it wasn’t for the noise from the road."

    It’s quite small and quirky however, and the steep stairs could be a problem for some people. Everything seemed brand new and of very high quality and we lacked for nothing, even with regard to cleaning material. Loved the bed and the beautiful duvet and the views from three windows! The bath was very high for me to climb into but the shower and heated towel rail were great. Sumptuous towels and constant hot water too! Our two cocker spaniels enjoyed the safe garden. Would have appreciated a couple of garden chairs as the weather was good enough to sit out. Very happy with our stay as Holly Leaf Cottage is so near to Castles and Garden centres - bliss!

    Many thanks for your feedback and good to read that you found the cottage comfortable and the garden ideal for your dogs. We do appreciate your comments about the road but there is little we can do, the road is quiet in the evenings. We do have a cottage within the courtyard at Drum Castle and this will be available again in October once the work on the Castle roof has been completed. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Morag5.0Aug 2023

  • "Exiting cottage in car onto very busy road with restricted visibility."

    Could not open any bedroom windows. No where to hang or dry outside clothes. No indoor floor mat. Could not increase heating temp when it was cold and wet in Aberdeenshore. The dog loved the garden. The furniture and fittings were of good quality and in good condition. With some small changes the cottage could be lovely.

    Thank you very much for your feedback – much appreciated. We have been in touch with the local council about improving the visibility when exiting onto the road – as it is not our land, we need permission to make any changes to it. All of the upstairs windows have had secondary glazing installed so cannot be opened without unscrewing and removing completely. There is a washing line at the property. The heaters are programmed for general background heating currently but are fully adjustable by guests if they choose. We will look at improving the instructions. We really do appreciate you having taken the time to give us constructive feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jennifer3.1Jul 2023

  • "Basic facilities and comfortable but road noise was unexpected."

    Lower oven did not work.

    Thank you for the feedback and we have asked the property team to check the oven. We do hope that this didn't inconvenience you during your stay and the team would have only been too happy to come along and check it during your stay. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Arthur3.8Jul 2023

  • "Hi, I’ve never reviewed anything before but would like to say, how quaint Holly Leaf Cottage is."

    It is clean and very well presented. It sits right on the edge of an A road which is relatively quiet most of the time. You will hear the odd car go by from time to time. It is too remote to walk to any pubs and the road is a fast road. That said you can drive to PeterCulter which is approximately 3 miles from the property. Thanks to the local gardener/handy man the garden is now secure for dogs to roam about without the fear of them getting out onto the road. There are lots of beautiful places to visit and lots of walks through forestries. All in all we had a great time staying in Scotland and would highly recommend it. The people are warm friendly and caring. Such a beautiful country. Thanks Scotland see you next year!

    Thank you so much for your review, Holly Leaf Cottage is in a great location for visiting all the other NTS attractions in North East Scotland. We hope to welcome you back to Scotland and to one of the 60 NTS cottages we have across the country. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Mark4.7Jul 2023

  • "A lovely isolated cottage full of charm, well equipped and very comfortable within easy drive of Aberdeen and Cairngorms."

    The Deeside way is a 5 minute walk. Drum Castle Estate can be accessed without walking on road via (slightly overgrown) woodland track. The cottage has only recently been put on Sykes and there were a couple of very minor issues; The garden was almost completely enclosed for small dogs apart from the front gates ( with a length of mesh, could easily be sorted) Also a cullender would have been useful . The cottage is on the A93 so there is some road noise, but it isn’t too disturbing.

    Many thanks for your feedback and we are very pleased to read that you found our new cottage very comfortable. We have supplied a colander in the cottage and the gate has been covered to help keep the garden secure for dogs. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Chris5.0Jul 2023

Show more Hide all

Summary

  • One double bedroom
  • Ground-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • Kitchen
  • Dining room
  • Sitting room with woodburning stove (Please provide your own fuel)
  • Electric central heating
  • Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine
  • Freeview TV
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Off-road parking for 2 cars
  • Rear garden with lawn
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 2.4 miles, pub 3.2 miles
  • This property has no WiFi
  • The property is located just off the A93, please take care when entering and exiting the short driveway
  • The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here

The property

Peterculter 3.7 miles.

Resting near Peterculter, Aberdeenshire within accessible reach of the Cairngorms National Park is this beautiful, detached property, Holly Leaf Cottage.

Located within easy reach of Drum Castle, Garden and Estate, Holly Leaf Cottage is a stunning National Trust for Scotland property offering wonderful holiday accommodation for a tranquil escape in Aberdeenshire, welcoming two guests, ideal for a couple or friends sharing.

The property itself hosts a well-equipped kitchen, stocked with all the necessary appliances required to rustle up delicious homecooked meals before settling down in the dining room to tuck in.

If you prefer to spend your evenings alfresco, why not take a stroll before sundown, soaking in your peaceful location before heading back inside and curling up in the sitting room; light the fire on cooler evenings or click on the TV to enjoy a movie.

Retreat to the ground-floor bathroom to delight in a long soak or shower and when sleep calls, make yourself at home in the charming double bedroom on the first floor, unwinding and dozing off in preparation for another exciting day.

This property is located close to Drum Castle, one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, which offers visitors the opportunity to go back in history in its many rooms, including a library with more than 4,000 books, an exquisite chapel, built in the 1500s, a Garden of Historic Roses, and an award-winning wildlife garden where you can enjoy a picnic in the sunshine or take in the breathtaking views from the battlements.

Roe deer, red kites, and red squirrels are among the various flora and fauna that call Drum's Old Wood of Drum home, making this an ideal location for nature enthusiasts.

There is a convenience store and a café in Drumoak Village where visitors may eat lunch, and there are further services and activities in Peterculter.

Visit Aberdeen for a wider variety of delectable restaurants, a golf course, and a museum, or travel to the Cairngorms National Park for breathtaking scenery and options for watersports, mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding.

Crathes Castle has more pathways to discover and a more fascinating past.

For all of this and more, book a stay at Holly Leaf Cottage.This property can be booked with Ref. 1060438, together sleeping 4 guests.

EPC Rating: Band F

Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: AS-00141-F

National Trust For Scotland

Whether searching for your next city to explore, or seeking a homely dwelling to relax in with your loved ones in rural surroundings, the wonderful collection of properties from National Trust for Scotland is sure to have something perfect for you. Discover the beauty of Scotland's two national parks and stunning countryside, with lots of properties catering to a wealth of outdoor pursuits to enjoy on your doorstep, with some featuring additional facilities for angling, field sports and cycling, making it easy to enjoy your stay to the fullest. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the lively city scenes of Scotland, with properties in and around Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow, all teeming with historic sites, beautiful architecture and plenty of entertainment. Being Scotland's largest conservation charity, National Trust for Scotland has been able to beautifully preserve and renovate many historic buildings to offer unique holiday locations. With over two-million visitors each year across twenty-seven castles and great houses, forty-six munros, thirty-five major gardens and designed landscapes, and seven national nature reserves, National Trust for Scotland has something for everyone. Each property is equipped with all you need for a self-catered stay, with kitchens complete with essential appliances and more, dining areas to come together for hearty meals, and many sitting rooms boasting open fires or woodburning stoves to settle down in front of, not to mention elegant bedrooms and sparkling bathrooms where you can feel refreshed. Bring your canine companion along with you to some of the properties, and keep up to date with the world via the WiFi connections offered in most cottages. With more and more people discovering the beauty and allure of Scotland every year, ensure your stay is special with a National Trust for Scotland cottage.

View on map

About the location

PETERCULTER

Aberdeen 8.3 miles; Cove Bay 9.5 miles; Banchory 10.2 miles; Portlethen 10.6 miles

The vibrant suburb of Peterculter - also known as Culter, is a charming location resting 8.3 miles away from Aberdeen city centre, sitting on the northern banks of the serene River Dee. Peterculter is home to a generous selection of shops, pubs, restaurants, a museum and heritage hall, village hall and activity centre, with historic tales found throughout attractions such as the quaint river of Culter Burn, and a statue of folk hero Rob Roy Macgregor, known for apparently leaping across Cutler Burn to chase away pursuing Hanoverian troops. The hustle and bustle of Aberdeen city centre is just a short journey away, boasting views of high cliffs, open farmland and rugged mountains, contrasted with sandy beaches and far-reaching sea views, as well as contemporary entertainment such as retail centres, welcoming pubs, exciting bars, and fine dining. Further afield is the extensive Cairngorm National Park, an adventurous and popular tourist hub spanning over 1,748 square miles of majestic views found on walking trails, cycle paths, outdoor activities, watersports and so much more! Peterculter is a lovely destination to experience the adventure, history and culture of Aberdeenshire in a more tranquil resting spot.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas