The Monaltrie Ballater

The Monaltrie is an apartment on the ground floor of an old coaching inn in Ballater. It's been converted for a while now. You sleep four, in two bedrooms. There are two bathrooms. It's got a 4 Star rating.

The main thing is the space. The rooms are big with high ceilings. The living room has a bay window and doors that go straight out onto the lawn. The garden leads right down to the River Dee. You can sit out there.

Ballater is a good base. It's a proper village with shops, a few tearooms, and places to eat. The River Dee runs alongside it. You can walk along the bank there easily.

It's known for the royal connection because of Balmoral. The castle is about seven miles west. You can visit the grounds and gardens when they're open. Balmoral Castle.

If you like walking, you're in the right place. You can drive to the car park for Lochnagar, the mountain, in about 25 minutes. Loch Muick is a similar distance. You might see deer there. For castles, Crathes is about 40 minutes' drive east, and its gardens are good. Crathes Castle, Gardens & Estate.

The local golf course is just over the river. If you want a distillery tour, Royal Lochnagar is at the Crathie end of Ballater, a few minutes in the car.

For facilities, it's got what you'd need. Washing machine, dishwasher, WiFi. Parking is on site. There's a cot and a highchair if you need them. Bedding and towels are included. No pets, I'm afraid.

Useful links for planning: Cairngorms National Park and Visit Aberdeenshire.