People are drawn to Cairngorms National Park for its breathtaking views, adventurous terrain, and peaceful landscape. The Cairngorms mountains are a must-see destination for anyone’s bucket list. A Ballater accommodation can be hard to choose, but Holiday Cottage Rentals makes it easy with two fully self-catered, beautiful cottages, central to the heart of the Royal Deeside. You can spend your next holiday in solitude, relaxation, and adventure!

Your Ballater Bucket-List

Your holiday would not be complete without a visit to Balmoral Cairns, built by Queen Victoria to commemorate the lives of the royal family, at the Balmoral Estate. The 15th-century castle and grounds are impressive in their own right, but the Balmoral Cairns is truly a sight to behold. The largest, and most famous, of the eleven pyramid-like structures, is the Prince Albert Cairn; you will not be disappointed after spending a day roaming the Balmoral Cairns.

If you’re seeking the superb wildlife and landscapes of the Royal Deeside, CambusO’May is a short ten-minute drive from both Riverside and Dormie Cottage. The three trails offer sweeping views of majestic dragonflies, Scots pines, and shallow lochans. With its bountiful wildflowers, bird watching opportunities, and picturesque suspension bridge overseeing the River Dee, CambusO’May is a location you’ll want to visit again and again, in any season.

Whether you’re craving a short hike in the fresh air, or a day-long trek through the Scotland woodlands, the Muir of Dinnet can satisfy your taste for adventure. Explore the birch trees and observe damselflies and local wildlife in their natural habitats. Or, trek through the Burn O’Vat, a magnificent miracle of nature featuring an entrance of water carved rock and emerging in the pinewoods. Holidays spent in a Ballater accommodation guarantee convenient access to all of the sites and scenery that the Cairngorms mountains have to offer.

Quaint Cafésin Ballater, Scotland

The Bothy Ballater on Bridge Street offers a wide selection of specialty teas, herbs, and coffees. It’s a cozy café that caters to most diets with its extensive breakfast, brunch, and lunch menus, with all of the food prepared on the premises. Only a five-minute walk from your Ballater accommodation, this is a beautiful gem in the heart of downtown.

Bridge House Café is a dog-friendly coffee shop that serves delicious, fresh food until 5 pm, perfect for grabbing an evening tea and strolling through Ballater. For a breakfast to go, try one of their breakfast croissants, stacked high with eggs, cheese, and a meat of your choice! Bridge House Café has an array of hot meals that are sure to warm you from the inside out after a long day of adventuring in the Cairngorms mountains.

If you’re craving temptation, Shorty’s Ice Cream Parlor is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with its homemade ice cream, hot desserts, and decadent sundaes. With so many options to choose from, you are bound to become a repeat customer! Their wide array of juices, smoothies, and revolving ice cream flavors ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Shorty’s also serves hot desserts that are simply scrumptious, like Nutella Hot Waffles and donuts doused in raspberry sauce, all within walking distance of your Ballater accommodation.

Riverside Cottage: A Quiet Refuge in the Royal Deeside

This Ballater accommodation is an excellent option for a holiday lodge in the historic Royal Deeside. With its spacious kitchen, heated floors, and a sublime first-floor bathroom, you’ll be tempted to move right in, and Holiday Cottage Rentals invites you to do just that! Riverside Cottage is a fully self-catered holiday home that provides a secluded refuge during your adventures in the Cairngorms National Park.

Enjoy a meal under the festoon lights in your private outdoor courtyard, fully closed off to keep in any four-legged family members. Here, you’ll find a Swedish wood-fired hot tub with plenty of complimentary wood to keep you relaxed after a long day of exploring everything Ballater has to offer. Visit the herb garden and help yourself with any fresh ingredients you’ll need to prepare a satisfying homemade meal.

Riverside Cottage can house up to six guests between two first-floor rooms and a sofa bed located in the quaint sunroom, that doubles as a dining area. You’ll find everything you need in this Ballater accommodation, including cooking utensils, a cozy living room, and a wood-burning stove for an experience reminiscent of home.

Dormie Cottage: A Quaint Holiday Home

Nestled farther away from the busting Bridge Street is a quaint Ballater accommodation that will make you feel right at home. The flat-screen TV with Sky and Netflix streaming capabilities is perfect for movie nights and relaxing mornings alike. Furthermore, the accessible layout of this Ballater accommodation makes it perfectly suited to any disabled or elderly guest.

Upon entering your holiday home, you’ll be greeted by a spacious living area with a comfortable couch that converts into a sofa bed to accommodate a total of six guests throughout the lodge. Dormie Cottage also includes a private courtyard with a darling dining area that is perfect for entertaining guests with a night-cap, or a lovely brunch in the refreshing mountain air. The kitchen comes fully stocked with any cooking and eating utensils you may require during your stay, making sure your holiday is hassle-free, as well as independent.

The master bedroom includes a large bed, plenty of storage options, and a private, master bathroom. The guest room comes with two twin beds that can be converted into a double upon request, and black-out curtains that are perfect for any exhausted guests wishing to snooze in the morning. This Ballater accommodation is a pet-friendly lodge because Holiday Cottage Rentals understands how hard it is to leave any family member behind!

Riverside and Dormie Cottages exemplify all of the qualities you wish for in a Ballater accommodation. You are sure to find a home away from home with Holiday Cottage Rentals in the Royal Deeside.