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Bynack - Mar Lodge Estate

(Ref. 1060441)

Braemar, Northern Highlands & Cairngorms National Park Show on map

4.8

Sykes rating

  • 17 Guests

  • 8 Bedrooms

  • 5 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Electric vehicle charging
  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Games Room
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • stay (7)
  • our (6)
  • lodge (5)
  • mar (5)
  • staff (5)
  • all (4)

15 Customer Reviews

  • "We have stayed many times and enjoy it very much."

    I understand that you don't want electric cars being charged without payment, but I do think that it should be possible to charge an electric bike if the battery is not removable. There must be way to do this without guests having to bring an extension cable to put out of their window.

    Thank you for your feedback. In relation to electric bikes we are following the Scottish Fire and Rescue services advice which is to not charge batteries in communal areas. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Peter4.7Sep 2024

  • "We had a wonderful family gathering at Bynack."

    There was room for us all as we could accommodate unexpected extra bodies using the z beds. The staff were very helpful and available. Could do with some large milk jugs, a bigger teapot and some vases. Other everything was wonderful. We will come back.

    Reviewed by Mary5.0Jun 2024

  • "Lovely experience staying in a NTScotland property."

    We enjoyed the spacious rooms, original decor and beautiful setting. Staff were friendly and helpful and responded promptly to any questions.

    thank you for your feedback, it is great to read that you enjoyed yourselves and that our staff were able to help. We have a great team at Mar. Holidays Dept NTS Property Owner

    Reviewed by Judith4.7Apr 2024

  • "What an incredible place!"

    A truly wonderful apartment in an amazing location. The service provided by Louise and her team was second to none. She was quick to respond to email queries before the visit and provided a friendly welcome as well as being on hand during the week to ensure that we had a wonderful holiday at Mar Lodge.

    Reviewed by Carol5.0Feb 2024

  • "We have visited Mar Lodge for a number of years and the location is spectacular that’s why we keep going back."

    It is quite remote but Braemar is close by with a small Spar for essentials, a couple of small cafes, my favourite art gallery & of course the recently refurbished luxury hotel. It is noticeably around Mar area much busier post covid with campervans galore & cars which was quite a nuisance when trying to walk along the road within the Mar estate even the private roads (where they should not have been) we had to stop numerous times & in one instance had to move into the undergrowth as a campervan was so wide. To be fair the road sign is too small for drivers to see. We were there off season so goodness knows what it would be like in the height of summer. The lodge itself is lovely but not luxury so it makes for a comfortable stay when you have children & dogs. The only down side is the kitchen it’s really small for the size of lodge & the cooker oven caused me no end of troubles trying to get it to the right temperature but that could just be me. Maybe some simple instructions near the cooker would help. Other than that it is great for large families or friends to get together in the most wonderful location with numerous hill walks & best scenery you could ever want on the doorstep. As per usual our very large family get together, all loved it. We will be back.

    Many thanks for your feedback, we do value our guests comments and are going to look at the cooker. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Moira4.4May 2023

  • "We had a fantastic time."

    Our holiday was a family reunion with guests aged from 8 to 87. We were helped by stunning weather but we all had a blast. The rooms are stunning and we absolutely loved using the billiard room for a small extra charge. Wildlife we saw on our walks and cycles included stags at close quarters, a slumbering adder and an eagle. We didn't want to leave. The electronic door stops were prone to malfunction and the alarm in a couple of them kept going off. We also brought our own knife sharpener, but the apartment would benefit from having one of its own. But those were the only small quibbles during a great week.

    Reviewed by Rebecca4.7Apr 2023

  • "We have stayed in Bynack on many occasions and it remains our firm favourite."

    Reviewed by Thomas5.0Mar 2023

  • "Excellent stay as usual."

    Have been visiting for over 20 years. Went to book for next year £2286.00. 65% increase from this year’s £1385.00. It is disappointing the National Trust for Scotland/Sykes, has increased accommodation by so much making it extremely expensive for visitors and future generations to visit. It’s a shame this 65% increase in price will deter visitors to NTS sites.

    Thank you for your feedback, we are pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay with us again. Prices rise with inflation and the associated higher running costs to maintain Trust properties in good condition. However, prices vary throughout the year to accommodate different budgets, with different lengths of stay and arrival days. All proceeds are reinvested into the upkeep of this charitable trust that is the National Trust for Scotland. Property Owner

    Reviewed by David5.0Feb 2023

  • "Fantastic accommodation in a beautiful setting."

    A floor plan showing relative locations of the flats within the building would be helpful if looking to book a number of flats for a larger group.

    We can easily provide a floor plan of Mar Lodge, the staff at Mar or the Holidays Dept of NTS have them. Property Owner

    Reviewed by G T5.0Feb 2023

  • "The toilet next to the kitchen has no lock."

    There was no ironing board available The cupboard with the cleaning tools (vacuum, brush etc) which used to be open is now locked. The door to room 7 had to be wedged open as the han dle was broken.

    Thank you for your feedback. We welcome any feedback to help improve what we offer to our guests. We have checked with the property and there were 2 iron and ironing boards in Bynack. The staff at Mar Lodge would have been happy to show you where the cleaning equipment was kept. We hope that you enjoyed the use of the Hall which we offered as an extra to your holiday for your group. We are aware that Fireworks were let off on the estate during the weekend of your stay and it disturbed local residents, livestock and pets. We received a number of complaints from locals about it and hope you were not disturbed. Fireworks are not permitted at Mar Lodge or any other NTS properties so we were very disappointed to have not been asked if they were allowed. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Andrew2.8Jan 2023

  • "We had issues with the Cooker, it did not always seem to be at the heat level we thought we'd set it to but we managed, and the staff were excellent, they allowed us to use a cooker in another part of the building for our Christmas turkey."

    The overall stay was brilliant, please say thanks to the NTS Staff at Mar Lodge.

    Reviewed by Scott4.7Dec 2022

  • "Very impressed with Sykes booking process and the level of communication pre, during, and post vacation."

    Mar lodge Byncak was an excellent property, I would not hesitate to stay again. The accommodation was first class, in terms of cleanliness and the equipment provided. There is obviously a very dedicated team of staff, cleaners, maintenance, etc at the property.

    Thank you very much for your kind words, we have a great team at Mar Lodge. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Alison5.0Feb 2022

  • "We really enjoyed our stay at Bynack apartment in Mar Lodge this January."

    It was very warm, clean and comfortable with instant hot water throughout. The bedrooms were lovely and the lounge with dining area was great. Also a great idea to have 2 sinks and 2 dishwashers in the kitchen. We also enjoyed hiring the snooker room and had a lot of fun with tournaments between young and old. Some managed a lovely walk up the hills, and others a meander in the grounds. Something for everyone. It was great.

    Thank you so much for your lovely comments. It is great to read that all your party made the most of the apartment and the beautiful estate. We will pass on the comments to the team at Mar Lodge. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jacqueline5.0Jan 2022

  • "We had a great stay in a very comfortable and well kept property."

    our only quibble was that the cooking was a little erratic as the hob and oven temperatures had to be guessed as the markings had worn off the cooker with cleaning.

    Many thanks for your feedback about Bynack at Mar Lodge. Just to let you know that we have a new cooker front panel on order and are waiting for its delivery. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Fiona4.7Oct 2021

  • "Beautiful stately home where the whole family could relax in comfort."

    Spectacular scenery - walking every day. Staff on site were so helpful and welcoming. The facilities were good. The only issue was the oven, which didn’t work efficiently - cooking is essential as the location is so remote. We also felt check in time of 5 and checkout time of 9.30 was unhelpful. We had stayed before when it was administered by The National Trust and we got in earlier and check out time was later. The cost was high and we had travelled quite a distance so we would have appreciated a 3 or 4 o’clock check in and a bit more time in the morning to get 17 people (four of them young children) out! However, we all had a wonderful time and we do hope to stay again.

    Thank you very much for your feedback. We have ordered a new front panel for the cooker in Bynack. The check in and check out times were adjusted when we reopened after the lockdown. This extra time allows the property to be properly aired before the housekeeping staff enter the apartment to clean. This procedure was put in place to protect our staff and customers, and is part of the guidance given to selfcatering properties from the Scottish Government. Property Owner

    Reviewed by A4.7Oct 2021

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Summary

  • Over two floors
  • Eight bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor double with en-suite wet room, basin and WC, located at entrance of apartment, 2 x king size beds, one is a zip and link and can be made into two singles on request, 1 x family room with a zip and link king size bed and a single, 4 x twin, within apartment
  • 2 x bathrooms with roll top bath, separate shower, basin and WC
  • 2 x Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
  • Cloakroom with basin and WC
  • Kitchen/diner
  • Living/dining room.
  • Biomass central heating
  • Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher
  • TV, DVD player, WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Travel cot and highchair available on request
  • Off-road parking in rear car park
  • Access to Mar Lodge Estate
  • Private water supply
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking or vaping
  • Shop and pub 4.1 miles
  • Holiday guests have access to the estate grounds outside of the regular opening hours
  • Electric vehicle charging is available on site with prior arrangement via donation to NTS
  • The stag ballroom, grand dining room, library and drawing room at Mar Lodge can be hired separately for private events – please contact the lodge for further details on +44 (0)13397 41276
  • Mar Lodge Ranger service runs a number of scheduled walks and events throughout the year- information on these can be found by visiting here
  • 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

Situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park is the beautiful eight-bedroom apartment, Bynack, found within 29,000 hectares of the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate.

This dwelling is perfect for a large family celebration, surrounded by striking landscapes of rugged moorland, 15 Munros and a Caledonian pine forest.

Find comfort in this grand home, making use of the spacious kitchen, fitted with all of the essentials for a week-long trip, as well as a quaint table where you can enjoy your morning coffee accompanied by a hearty breakfast.

Evenings can be spent amidst the splendour of the living/dining room, decorated with period furniture and features, alongside an elegant formal dining table with seating for 17, settled before an inviting lounge space with a selection of plush seating and a large TV.

The ground floor also holds a convenient cloakroom and a lovely double bedroom with its very own en-suite wet room.

Further bedrooms rest on the first floor, comprising two king size beds, of which one can be split into twin beds, four twins and a family room with a zip and link king size bed and single, all featuring quirky décor, ample storage and wonderful views of the impressive grounds.

The first floor bedrooms have access to two stunning bathrooms, each with a roll top bath and a shower, or utilise the two shower rooms, boasting a large walk-in shower.

During your stay, wander around over 29,000 hectares of estate at Mar Lodge, taking your pick from a wealth of adventurous walking trails among scenic Scottish landscapes, wetlands and wildlife.

Bring the family along for an amazing stay in this charming apartment at Bynack, tucked away in the exceptional grounds of Mar Lodge Estate.

This property can be booked alongside Refs. 1060439, 1060442, 1060443, 1060444, 1060494, 1060500, together sleeping up to 55 guests.

Exempt from needing a Scottish Licence to Short Term Let

EPC Rating: Band D

Mar Lodge Estate

Resting within the heart of the Cairngorms National Park is Mar Lodge, a beautiful Victorian sporting lodge that has been carefully restored by the National Trust for Scotland to offer wonderful holiday accommodation amidst one of the country's most iconic landscapes. With eight properties in total across the estate, Mar Lodge is ideal for large family gatherings or celebrations, providing couples and small groups with a perfect country retreat too. The picturesque lodge itself has been split into five luxuriously furnished apartments, including Dalvorar, Macdui, Braeriach, Derry and Bynack, whilst the remaining three, Claybokie, Garage Cottage and Creag Bhalg rest within a high-walled garden facing onto the river within the estate's pine woods. The main lodge is a true delight, with high ceilings, grand hallways and a fabulous billiards room, open to all apartments within the lodge at a small extra cost, the perfect space for socialising with your loved ones. This prime Highland estate has been visited by nobility since the medieval period and is now recognised as one of Scotland's most important conservation sites, with ongoing preservation work to maintain the beauty of the ancient Caledonian pine forest and to protect the native wildlife. If you're seeking a holiday rich in breath-taking scenery and outdoor adventures, then Mar Lodge Estate is a superb choice. Take walks through wooded glens, stroll alongside crystal clear burns and soak up the marvellous mountain scenery, with this estate being home to four of Britain's five highest mountains. Plenty of excitement can be had on a holiday here, with thrilling mountain-biking routes being perfect for adrenaline-seekers, the River Dee offering some of the best salmon fishing in the world, and classic sports like shooting and stalking being popular too. Head into the nearby village of Braemar for all your self-catering needs, home to a highly recommended local butcher, alongside some delightful cafés, shops and pubs to enjoy throughout your stay. Attractions nearby include the Queen's Balmoral Castle and Estate, with royalty often visiting the area since the estate was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, you can now visit too and attend a fascinating guided tour. Less than fifteen miles away is the Glenshee Ski Centre offering 40km of pistes for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months, so you can find excitement here all-year-round! History lovers will delight at the ease in which an array of wondrous NTS castles can be reached, including the fairytale delight of Craigievar Castle, Crathes Castle, home to diverse wildlife and an impressive interior, and Drum Castle, one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, all just a scenic drive away. Enjoy the wonders of this location from the luxury and comfort of Mar Lodge Estate.

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About the location

BRAEMAR

Ballater 17 miles; Aberdeen 59 miles.

The village of Braemar in Royal Deeside sits amongst some of the most beautiful scenery Scotland has to offer. Nestling in the River Dee valley within the Cairngorms National Park, Braemar and the area around it are a treasure trove for the outdoor enthusiast, boasting 24 Munros, the highest 18-hole golf course in the country and close proximity to the Glenshee Ski Centre. The village offers plentiful opportunities for relaxation as well in the many cafes, shops and restaurants. The famous Highland Gathering in September, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, is a spectacular feast of highland games, music and dancing. Inverness, Aberdeen and Perth are a great day out, are accessed through great scenery, and are well worth a visit. Royal Deeside boasts many rare wildlife and plant species such as capercaillie, roe deer, red squirrels and golden eagles. With Braemar and Balmoral Castles and the Royal Lochnagar Distillery in this area, there is indeed something for everyone in this delightful part of Scotland.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas