ABERARDER HOUSE

Available for holiday letting - sleeps 4/8.


Click here for images of Aberarder House from the inside

Aberarder House is a detached, listed, former Free Church set in a glorious, peaceful glen (with beautiful views of Lochnagar) in the heart of unspoilt Royal Deeside. The building, which is converted to a very high standard, dates from the Disruption of 1843 and was used by a population of crofting families who lived and worked in the glen. Initially a mission kirk and schoolhouse, it fell into disrepair as the glen depopulated. It was bought from the Inver Estate in 1997 and gradually converted over a period of four years. It is covered in classic Deeside pink harling and has a small, square granite steeple with a stone thistle on top. It stands in around a third of an acre. There is no graveyard.

Click here for images of Aberarder House from the outside

Situated in Glen Fearder, between Ballater and Braemar, off the A93 in the north-east Highlands of Scotland, Balmoral Castle is less than 2 miles away and the River Dee close by. There is a pub/restaurant (The Inver Hotel) within walking distance (20 mins) and numerous restaurants and cafes in Ballater and Braemar. Aberdeen is an hour to the east with an airport, train station and car-hire facilities.





The kirk is on the edge of the eastern Cairgorm Mountains (within The Cairngorms National Park); it provides an ideal base for walking, mountain biking, climbing, game fishing, golfing, pony-trekking and sight-seeing holidays. Red deer, ptarmigan, black grouse, arctic tern, curlew and red squirrels can all be seen in the area. Woodpeckers, pheasants and siskin feed in the garden.

Click here for images of the surrounding countryside

Aberarder House has private parking for up to six cars. For entertainment there is free use of mountain bikes, a table tennis table and a pool table, plus darts and numerous board games. There is a large TV with digital reception and DVD and another TV connected to a video player; there is also a digital piano, a Kenwood stereo system and a Playstation (Sony PSII) with a selection of games.

Accommodation: Large open-plan kitchen, dining and living room (33 sqm) with a real coal fire and two huge gothic lattice windows. The kitchen includes microwave, dishwasher, ceramic hob, electric oven and washer-dryer. Spacious galleried sitting room (33 sqm) above the living room with roundel window looking down the glen, plus library. Two double bedrooms, both with wash-hand basins, built-in wardrobes and additional recess areas for storage. A further occasional/children's room with twin beds, off the games room in the downstairs area. A large bathroom with spa bath and separate power shower, plus a further shower room with power shower, toilet and wash-hand basin. Downstairs from the main living area is the large games room (27 sqm), which also accommodates a futon sofa-bed. Plus there is a spacious laundry/storage room containing upright freezer, additional tumble-dryer, ironing facilities, cot, rough-terrain pram and high-chair.

Aberarder House is family-owned. We regret that the building has no wheelchair access and point out that it has three internal staircases. Also, there are no windows in the twin room, owing to planning restrictions. Local information, tourist information and places of interest are documented at the kirk and there is further information about the building, accommodation and area available on request. Heating, electricity, coal & logs for the open fire, towels, bedding, laundry facilities, etc are all included in the price. Pets are allowed by prior arrangement, children and single-sex parties are welcome at Aberarder House.

Price varies from £550/week (low season) to £950/week (high season).

For all information and booking enquiries please contact Elaine Craig on:
UK landline: 020 8800 6690
UK mobile: 07968 356088
or email: elaincrg@aol.com


Last updated on 17 February 2005