Balnagowan Cottage

‘Home away from home’ takes on a whole new meaning if you’re travelling here as a family! The versatile sleeping arrangements feature 5 bedrooms, including a full-size cot and toddler bed. Stair gates (up and down) mean you can relax while your little ones explore their new surroundings. Meanwhile, black-out window coverings (essential for the long summer nights) and white noise in every bedroom maximise the possibility of rest and relaxation for all. Other children’s items include two high chairs, a bottle brush/steriliser, silicone bibs, children’s tableware, Bumbo, baby pod, baby swing, bath seat, non-slip bath mat, changing mat and two nappy bins.

These arrangements are discreetly stowed when not in use, presenting Balnagowan Cottage as a stylish and modern basecamp for anyone exploring the Cairngorm National Park and its attractions. A cosy living room with views across the Spey Valley is the perfect spot to light a log fire and retire after a long day of hiking. The open concept kitchen/dining area plus breakfast bar is a convivial space for preparing meals, made easier by a suite of appliances including an air fryer, waffle maker and food processor. High-speed fibre internet (65/15 mbps) and reliable cellular/data service is available throughout the home. If you must bring work with you, make yourself comfortable in the downstairs office with a daybed and double patio doors that open onto the quiet, wooded garden.

Outside is half an acre for you to enjoy as you please: a BBQ on the patio, a sun-dappled snooze in the hammock or some toasted marshmallows around the fire pit. The garden is planted with herbs and native wildflowers, which attract rare species such as Bombus Monticola (the blaeberry bumblebee). There are dens to be built in the sycamore grove – that’s if the children get bored of the slide, the tree swings, the 13’ in-ground trampoline and the mini mountain bike pump track … big kids or small, your Highland playground awaits!

FLOORPLAN

Family-friendly self-catering home in the heart of Nethy Bridge

5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms

Sleeps 6 (+3)

Bedroom 1
King with en suite with shower

Bedroom 2
Single plus full-size cot

Bedroom 3
Single plus full-size toddler bed

Bedroom 4
Single-over-double bunkbed

Bedroom 5/Office
Single daybed

Family bathroom with shower

Family bathroom with bath

Living room with smart TV

Kitchen/dining room

Utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer

Private garden on half an acre with patio, outdoor furniture, BBQ grill, fire pit, in-ground 13’ trampoline, tree swings, slide and mountain bike pump track

Bedroom and laundry
Washing machine
Dryer
Drying rack (inside)
Drying line (outside)
Bed linens
Towels
Iron
Ironing board
Hair dryer x2
Hot water bottles

Entertainment
Smart TV
Board games
Children’s toys and books

Family
Full size cot
Toddler bed
High chair x2
Stair gates (top and bottom)

Heating and cooling
Central heating
Electric fan
Electric heater
Log fire and accessories

Home safety
Smoke alarm
Carbon monoxide alarm
Fire guard
First aid kit


Internet and office
High-speed wifi (65mbps down/15 mpbs up)
Dedicated workspace
Wifi printer

Kitchen and dining
Space where guests can cook their own meals
Refrigerator
Microwave
Freezer
Dishwasher
Oven
Kettle
Coffee maker
Toaster
Food processor
Waffle maker
Air fryer
Digital scales

Location features
Private entrance
Separate street or building entrance
Wheelchair access to ground floor via a ramp at the back door

Outdoor
Garden
Fire pit
Patio
An open space on the property usually covered in grass
Outdoor furniture
BBQ grill
Trampoline
Slide
Swings
MTB pump track
Hammock

Parking and facilities
Free off-street parking for four cars

Services
Long-term stays allowed
Allow stays of 28 days or more

Not included
Security cameras on property
Air conditioning
Toiletries
Beach towels
Garage access
Infant sleepwear (only fitted sheet is provided)
Logs/coal
Charcoal

Availability
Balnagowan Cottage is available for weeks and short breaks arriving and departing on Mondays and Fridays. Please contact us if you require anything else. We are delighted to welcome you from 4pm and departure is 10am.

What’s included
Heating and electricity
Bed linens and towels
Hand wash
Cleaning products, toilet roll, kitchen roll
Salt, pepper, spices
Tin foil, cling film
Welcome gift
Visit Scotland Welcome Scheme Information
Parking for 4 cars outside the property
Smart TV
65 mbps Wi-Fi internet (suitable for video streaming)
24-hour help service

The neighbourhood
Tucked away among the trees, this house feels like a private retreat. And yet it is located right in the heart of Nethy Bridge, barely a few hundred yards from the village cafe, farm shop and hotel with bar/restaurant. The Dell of Abernethy hosts regular events at their fireside tipi, including supper clubs, craft fairs and yoga. Additionally, the village hall has a schedule of ceilidhs and concerts. A short walk takes you down to the Nethy riverwalk, the Balnagowan Woods for blaeberry picking (July to October) and the Dell Woods to catch glimpses of Cairngorm through the ancient pine trees (and, if you look carefully among the undergrowth, the fairy houses!). The Speyside Way passes right by the house for off-road hiking and biking to nearby lochs and villages.

Nethy Bridge itself is a popular destination for wildlife lovers since the filming of BBC Springwatch, with ospreys and white-tailed eagles nesting nearby. An assortment of nature walks and guided hikes to destinations throughout the Cairngorm National Park depart from the village. But if your version of ‘wildlife’ involves watching from the window as roe deer graze and barn owls hunt, then grab the popcorn: it’s all happening right outside the living room!

Carter’s Traditional Fish and Chip Van visits Nethy on a Monday evening with the catch of the day fresh from Peterhead. The Dell Grocer supplies meal kits and Black Isle beer by pre-order, delivered within the village for free. Some of the best eateries around are on the Nethy side of Grantown: Anderson’s Wood-Fired Pizza has hand-stretched doughs and seasonal toppings to go; and KJ’s Bothy Bakery (formerly the Mountain Café in Aviemore) serves a sensational selection of sweet treats and barista-made coffee. All major supermarkets deliver to this location (e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda) and there is a well-stocked Co-op in Grantown. Bikes, skis, paddle boards, kayaks and hot tubs are available for hire locally.

Accessibility - there is a ramp to access the property at the back door. Two bedrooms, a shower room and social areas are on the ground floor.