The Old School House

Ballater 13.8 miles. The Old School House is a beautiful stone-built cottage set within the wide, open landscape of the Cairngorms National Park, near Ballater. Once a Victorian school house, and now a calm and welcoming countryside retreat.it is ideal for couples, friends, small families, and guests with dogs who want to slow down and enjoy the quieter pleasures of rural Aberdeenshire.

The cottage sits along a tree-lined lane, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the countryside. Mornings here are made for good coffee in the front garden, listening to birdsong and watching red squirrels dart through the trees, see if you can spot Rusty who lives in the churchyard next door.Pheasants, rabbits and deer are regular visitors.We even have a resident barn owl, Rowan, who is often found perching on the rowan tree in the back garden.

Inside, the cottage has been decorated with calm and comfort in mind. The contemporary kitchen/diner is well equipped for relaxed meals after a day outdoors, while the sitting room is a snug place to unwind beside the open fire. Choose a book from the extensive collection, fiction, non-fiction, and local history are all well represented, make a hot drink, put your favourite music through the Bose speakers, and settle in for a quiet evening. After a day in the hills, there are few better pleasures than a quiet dram by the fire, and the first one is on us. There are enclosed front and rear gardens with outdoor furniture, perfect for breakfast outside, evening drinks, or simply watching the changing light over the surrounding countryside. When night falls and the stars appear overhead, retire to one of two well-presented bedrooms: a king-size room with en-suite shower room, or a twin bedroom, with premium bedding and towels.A ground-floor bathroom is also available. This is a wonderful base for exploring one of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes, with breathtaking walks quite literally from the doorstep. Within a few minutes walk you can reach the Ringing Stone and the elegant Georgian Gairnshiel Bridge, and you can walk along the River Gairn in both directions. Further afield, Ballater offers independent shops, pubs, cafés, and highly regarded restaurants, while Braemar is also within easy reach. Local places to visit include Balmoral Castle, Kildrummy Castle, Braemar Castle, Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve, Cambus o'May Forest, Tomnaverie Stone Circle, and the Falls of Glas Allt. Walkers can explore routes around Loch Muick, Ben Macdui, Mona Gowan, Callater Stable Walkers’ Bothy, and beyond. For whisky lovers, Royal Lochnagar Distillery is only a short drive away and the Speyside Whisky Trail is within easy reach. Golfers are equally well catered for, with a choice of scenic courses nearby. In winter or for more adventurous days out, both Glenshee and Lechts Ski Centres offer mountain sports. Whether you come for walking, wildlife, history, fireside evenings, or simply the peace of the Cairngorms, The Old School House offers a memorable and restorative escape in the heart of Aberdeenshire.