Whitehouse Cottages
Dairy Cottage and Prospect Hill
near Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire

Sleeping 4+1, and 4/5

Right: Dairy Cottage

These two traditional cottages are to be found on an estate farm at the foot of the Grampian Mountains 4 miles south of Alford (pub, shops, swimming pool, golf course) and some 23 miles west of Aberdeen. Peacefully sited far from public roads, with wonderful walking straight from the door in the surrounding hills and woods, they will delight true country lovers (who will also appreciate that the farm roads can be muddy and that wellies should certainly be brought for wet weather!)

There is fishing on local trout lochs, or even the Rivers Don and Dee. In winter, the Lecht ski area is less than an hour by car.

The area is well endowed with historical sites and castles as well as some lovely gardens, with the likes of Craigievar Castle, Leith Hall, Crathes Castle etc. all within a short distance. A drive along Royal Deeside is another must, perhaps stopping at Balmoral on the way to Braemar.

You can join the Whisky Trail at Tomintoul (42m), the highest village in the Highlands and reached by the infamous Cockbridge to Tomintoul road. It is always one of the first roads to close in winter and you can quickly see why! When it is open, however, the views are amazing

To the east, Aberdeen offers every conceivable leisure and shopping facility (the cottages are only 45 minutes from the airport there), and if you explore further up the coast you will find some wonderful sandy beaches.

Accommodation (2 cottages):

Dairy Cottage (Sleeps 4+1)

This charming Victorian cottage was once home to the milkmaid and is comfortable and full of character, with a cosy sitting room and a larger dining room. Both these rooms have open fires and the dining room is well suited to Continental-style evenings chatting round the table over a bottle or two of wine (or a local malt which you may have picked up during the day on a visit to the Whisky Trail!) A simple kitchenette opens off the dining room, and there is a large, bright downstairs bedroom and bathroom. Up the rather steep stairs is a sizeable and very pretty twin bedded room with coombed ceilings, and through that a further small bedroom, ideal for children. The house stands in its own enclosed garden, with parking right at the door.

(While the milkmaid may be long gone, this is still a working farm and the odd tractor may trundle past a couple of times a day. Otherwise it is all very peaceful).

Heating is by open fires and electric heaters. Bed linen and towels may be hired. Well-behaved pets are welcome by arrangement. There is a telephone in the cottage.

Downstairs:

• Sitting room with open fire and TV/DVD.
• Kitchen/Dining room with open fire, microwave, electric-cooker, washing machine, fridge etc.
• Bathroom with bath/shower, WC and wash basin
• Double Bedroom.

Upstairs:

• Twin Bedroom.
• Small single-bed room (suitable for a child) which is accessed through the twin-bed room.

Accommodation availability:

Dairy Cottage:

Prospecthill (Sleeps 4/5)

Prospect Hill is a small traditional farmhouse, which stands detached, on a hillside and in its own large grass garden, with wonderful views over the broad valley before it and with parking right at the door.

Though on a working farm, its situation is a peaceful one, at the end of a track and out of site of the farm itself. With no passing traffic, it is ideal for children and pets.

Inside, it is comfortably furnished with open fires in both sitting and dining rooms. The kitchen, while simple, has all the basics, and upstairs are two charming bedrooms (an extra put-you-up bed is available) which both have excellent views. To the front, there is also a sun room, where you can enjoy the surroundings even at times of the year when it is not warm enough to sit outside. It is also very handy for storing boots and coats.

Heating is by open fire and electric heaters. Bed linen and towels may be hired. Well behaved pets are welcome by arrangement. There is a telephone in the cottage.

Downstairs:

• Sitting room with open fire, TV/DVD.
• Dining room with open fire.
• Kitchen with electric-cooker, microwave, fridge etc.
• Bathroom with bath, shower, WC, basin and washing machine.

Upstairs:

• Twin-bed room.
• Double Bedroom.

Accommodation availability:

Prospecthill: