South Mains Cottage - Craigievar Castle
ID: S282697
- Bedrooms 3
- ・ Sleeps 6
- ・ Pets 2
Guests say
South Mains Cottage, nestled in the grounds of Craigievar Castle, is praised for its stunning location and cosy, characterful ambiance. Guests enjoyed the peaceful setting, wildlife, and walks, despite some maintenance issues. The property's cleanliness and comfort are well-regarded, making it a recommended choice for a tranquil retreat.
The cottage is generally described as very clean, with specific mentions of a spotless fridge and bathroom. There are minor comments about tired-looking kitchen flooring and the need for a scrub on cupboard doors, but overall, guests found the property well-maintained in terms of cleanliness.
The location is highly praised for its beauty, tranquility, and proximity to nature and historical sites. Guests enjoyed the exclusive feel of the grounds and the convenience for exploring Aberdeenshire. The scenic setting and wildlife sightings added to the charm of the cottage's location.
The cottage is described as cosy and welcoming, with comfortable beds and a homely feel. Some guests mentioned issues with seating arrangements for larger groups and the need for a handrail for accessibility. However, the overall sentiment is that the cottage provides a comfortable stay.
Facilities and maintenance received mixed reviews. Positive comments were made about the well-equipped property, but several guests reported maintenance issues such as non-working electric fires, potholes on the access road, and a high-pressure kitchen tap. Suggestions for improvement include better parking, outdoor seating, and minor repairs.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a score for this category.
About this property
Alford 5.4 miles. Set amidst the stunning scenery of National Trust for Scotland’s Craigievar Castle and its beautiful estate grounds, is this historic semi-detached dwelling, South Mains Cottage, offering six guests a home from home in Aberdeenshire. Originally built for the workers on the estate, the cottage is furnished in a classic country style, echoing the history of the building in its interior, offering everything you need for a fantastic break in Scotland. Discover a lovely furniture arrangement within the sitting room after a long day of walking, with a feature fireplace adding a traditional feel to the décor and a TV to enjoy on a quiet evening. The country farmhouse kitchen is a true delight; prepare your meals here and admire the quaint features, like the large Belfast sink, with a dining table and chairs to gather around at mealtimes. A spacious ground floor bathroom offers a bath and an overhead shower attachment, so you can enjoy either a refreshing rinse or a hot soak. The second bathroom is a shower room also situated on the ground floor. Head upstairs to find the three bedrooms, consisting of a double room with dual aspect windows and another original fireplace, along with two twin bedrooms, both with plenty of storage for your personal belongings. Spend time out in your own private garden as you sip your morning coffee before heading out on a morning stroll about the grounds, taking in the picturesque views of the unique, pink castle. Let South Mains Cottage be your haven to return to after each Aberdeenshire adventure. This property can be booked with Refs. 1060436, 1060432, together sleeping 14 guests.
Lying next to the River Don in the region of Aberdeenshire is the lovely town of Alford, offering a great base for a host of outdoor adventures in Scotland. Within easy reach of the Cairngorms National Park and the shores of the 'Granite City' of Aberdeen, Aldford has all you need for a self-catered stay including shops, pubs and local businesses like butchers, a fish van every week and a fish and chip van each week too. Visit the wondrous Craigievar Castle just outside the town for a great day out.
Accommodation
Over two floors.
Three bedrooms: 1 x double, 2 x twins.
Ground-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC.
Ground-floor shower room with basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Sitting room
Electric central heating.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher.
TV and DVD player.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair available.
Off-road parking for 3 cars close to the cottage.
Garden.
Two well-behaved dogs welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop ad pub 5.3 miles.
Holiday guests have access to the estate grounds outside of the regular opening hours.
There is no WiFi at this property and mobile phone reception can be poor.
There are 3 steps up to the path leading to the entrance of the cottage, Internally there is a staircase to the first floor and all the bedrooms.
The charging of electric vehicles is not permitted.
If the Accommodation becomes inaccessible due to bad weather the National Trust for Scotland will take all reasonable steps to inform you and to offer an alternative National Trust for Scotland property.
The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here
Nearby points of interest
- Grampian Transport Museum
- Ballater VisitScotland iCentre
- Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve
Reviews (20)
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Vanessa
Unfortunately no internet but that's life. Only concern which I raised in the visitors book was that the three steps into property were a bit awkward for me and perhaps a hand rail would be useful.I suffer with back problems. However this will not deter me. We are seriously considering rebooking.
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Susan
I thought the steps to the property were uneven and dangerous, we would have liked a parking spot and an outside light. I know the sensory garden was open which was lovely but not signposted at all. An outside bench would have been appreciated and although we booked it knowing it didnât have internet, every other National Trust property we have stayed at did have the net and we really missed it.
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Helen
The windows were old and not double glazed - they would benefit from being cleaned on the insides - we found the bedroom windows to be especially dirty. There were no bath mats provided which was a problem, and bath towels were a bit on the skimpy side, larger ones would be better. I personally found the large heavy quilt on my single bed very cumbersome. We experienced a power cut on our last night for a few hours. Only one torch was provided, and no other forms of emergency lighting. This could definitely be improved. There was a lack of lighting above the cooker in the kitchen. As we chose not to use the dishwasher, further dish-draining provision would have helped. Overall the cottage was well furnished and comfortable, with good modern bathroom facilities and a well stocked kitchen.