Lodge E Dinnet

Lodge E is one of seven in the grounds of the Loch Kinord Hotel at Dinnet. It’s semi-detached. You look out onto the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve at the back, which is mostly pine woods and wetland.

The lodge sleeps six. Three bedrooms and one bathroom. It’s got a 4 Star rating, so it’s comfortable and well-equipped. Everything is on the ground floor, so no stairs to worry about.

You’re right in the Cairngorms National Park. The reserve is basically your back garden. The path to the Burn o’ Vat starts from the hotel car park. It’s a short walk. The Vat is a big, bowl-shaped hole in the granite, carved out by a glacier. You can walk in through a crack in the rock. It’s quite something.

You can use the hotel’s facilities. They have a restaurant and a bar. Handy if you don’t want to cook.

Ballater is about a 15-minute drive west. Shops, places to eat, and the old railway station. Aberdeen is roughly 45 minutes east if you need a city. For skiing, the Lecht is 40 minutes and Glenshee is about an hour.

The lodge has parking right outside. There’s a bike store if you bring cycles. One well-behaved dog is allowed. Bedding and towels are included. There's a dishwasher, a TV, and WiFi.

Useful links: Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve and Cairngorms National Park Authority.