Gleann Cottage

The highlights

• With views of the Cairngorms in one direction and fields and woodland in the other, this cottage offers the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle with the family.
• This traditional Highland cottage has recently been renovated to create a cosy, modern holiday home while keeping many of the charming original features.
• Outside, you’ll find plenty of space for enjoying the views, from a morning coffee on the bench at the front of the house to watching the sunset from the hot tub in the rear courtyard.
• There’s plenty of exploring to be done on Alvie Estate and in nearby Aviemore, a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, and the spectacular Cairngorms National Park is on your doorstep.
• Book the cottage next door to sleep an extra four guests.

You should know

• A car is recommended due to the rural location.

The detail

Set in the heart of a traditional Highland estate, just a few miles from Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, this charming cottage is perfect for a rural family escape. With views over fields, woodlands and stretching as far as the snow-capped mountains in the distance, the cottage offers a peaceful spot to slow down the pace and enjoy the outdoors.

This traditional cottage is over 100 years old and has recently been renovated to create a cosy holiday home that shows off the building’s original character. The thick stone walls stand guard against the Highland weather while the fireplaces and the oak beams overhead add to their charm. The cottage provides plenty of modern luxuries, including a wood-fired hot tub tucked away in the private courtyard where you can sit back and enjoy the view.

Step into your cottage and you’ll find a contemporary country-style kitchen and dining area that feels bright and airy with natural light coming in through a cleverly positioned skylight. The breakfast bar offers a bit of extra space for helping the chef out with dinner and then you can move straight through to the dining table. After dinner, snuggle up in the lounge across the hall in front of the log burner with a dram of local whisky and get stuck into a board game.

You’ll find both of the bedrooms upstairs with a family bathroom in between. The main bedroom features a luxurious king size bed below a vaulted ceiling with exposed oak beams. The other bedroom can be set up with a second king size bed or with two singles and all of the upstairs rooms have spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

Outside, the cottage provides plenty of space to soak up the scenery. The bench at the front of the house is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee and enjoy the views of the Cairngorms while to the rear, you’ll find views over the surrounding fields and woodland. On sunny afternoons, head out to the courtyard at the back of the house and get the BBQ going or just relax with a book in one of the chairs. In the evening, enjoy the sunset from the hot tub and on clear nights the stars will put on quite a show.

Gleann Cottage is next door to another beautiful cottage, Beinn Cottage. Depending on availability, you can book these two cottages together to accommodate up to eight guests, making them ideal for a larger group or family gathering.

There’s plenty to do on Alvie Estate and in the surrounding area. Explore the estate and meet some of the local wildlife on a red squirrel and deer photography course or learn some bushcraft skills. Head out on a walk along the gorges or even fly over them at the Zip Trek Park. Activities such as clay pigeon shooting, archery and quad biking are also available. The outdoor activity hub of Aviemore is also just 15 minutes away and this is the starting point for plenty of adventures, from hiking into the Cairngorms in the summer to skiing in the winter. Loch Morlich nearby is a beautiful spot for a walk or to have a go at paddleboarding or kayaking, or if you fancy taking it easy, enjoy the views from the comfort of a vintage train on the Strathspey Steam Railway.

Features

Essential