The Stables Lumsden

The Stables is in Lumsden, up in Aberdeenshire. It's a conversion, part of an old steading. Everything's on one level, no steps inside or out, so it's fairly straightforward to get around.

It sleeps four. Two bedrooms, and they both have their own shower room. One room has a big bed that can split into two singles if you need it. The other is a standard double. The living space is all one room: kitchen, dining table, sofas. You look out over the fields.

It's well insulated, with underfloor heating you can control room by room. There's also a wood burner. Outside there's a patio bit and a small lawn. You'll see farm animals and wildlife.

The village has a small shop and a garage. There's a decent playpark for kids and a sculpture trail you can walk.

Alford is the nearest proper town, about a ten-minute drive. It's got a supermarket and some local shops. The Grampian Transport Museum is there, and the Alford Heritage Museum if that's your sort of thing.

You're right between the Castle Trail and the Whisky Trail. The nearest castle is about five miles. The closest distillery is maybe thirteen miles, with several more within a twenty-minute drive.

The Cairngorms National Park is roughly twenty minutes by car. For skiing in winter, the Lecht and Aviemore are within an hour. The coast is about forty-five minutes to an hour away. Places like Portsoy and Cullen are good for a trip out.

Facilities: it has the things you'd expect. Washing machine, dishwasher, WiFi. Bedding and towels are included. There's a cot and highchair if required. Parking on site, and an electric vehicle charger. One well-behaved dog is welcome.

It can be booked with the property next door, The Byre, if you're a bigger group.

Useful links: Cairngorms National Park, National Trust for Scotland, and The Malt Whisky Trail.