Dairy Cottage is a suprisingly spacious detached Victorian Cottage which at one time housed the (lucky!) milkmaid of a farm situated 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.
The cottage 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 will probably trundle past a couple of times a day. In short, Dairy Cottage will delight true country lovers who will appreciate that the tracks can be muddy and that wellies should certainly be brought for wet weather. There is country walking to be had right from the door, over the hill and through the woods. 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 via the hugely scenic Tomintoul road.
The are is full of historical sites, 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.
To the east, Aberdeen offers every conceivable facility (the cottage is only 45 minutes from the airport there), and if you explore further up the coast you will find some wonderful sandy beaches.
Heating is by open fires and electric storage heaters. Bed linen and towels may be hired. Up to two well-behaved pets are welcome by arrangement. Water is from a private source.
