A Former Farmhouse on the Gairnshiel Estate in the Cairngorms National Park
Inverenzie is the smallest of the Gairnshiel cottages, a farmhouse in quiet country near the Lodge, deep in the Cairngorms National Park and about 15 minutes from Balmoral. The Belgian family behind the estate renovated it in 2016 with a light hand, keeping the focus on what's outside the windows.
The interiors, by Maarten Van Meerbeeck, are the sparest on the estate. Walls are finished in tadelakt, the polished Moroccan lime plaster, warm and smooth under the hand, and a wood-burning fire holds the living room. The best view in the house belongs to the upstairs bath, which was positioned to look at the hills. Run it deep, get in, and watch the weather cross the valley.
Outside there's a fully fenced garden with a patio and a barbecue, the water close by, and sheep grazing up to the fence. After dark, the sky takes over.
The other homes on this estate (Gairnshiel Lodge, Laggan Cottage, The Old School, and Faunoran House) are all available to book via Boutique.
Layout
This vacation home for rent in Ballater sleeps up to four guests in two bedrooms over two floors. Downstairs there is a living room with an open kitchen, a separate guest WC, and an en-suite bedroom set up as twins that convert to a double. Upstairs is a double bedroom, which cannot be twinned, with a bathroom holding a shower and a separate bath positioned to look out at the hills. It suits one or two couples, or a small family.
• Bedroom 1 (downstairs) — Two singles, en suite (double on request)
• Bedroom 2 (upstairs) — Double, cannot be twinned, bathroom with shower and separate bath with a view
• 1 guest WC (downstairs)
Good to know
Inverenzie is self-catered, with self check-in by lockbox. The last four miles are an unpaved track not suitable for low cars, and you will need a car, though Ballater is close by. One small or medium dog is welcome, kept downstairs and off the beds and sofas, and the cottage is suitable for children. There is plenty of free parking. Shoes come off at the door, and there is no smoking inside. It closes each year from December to February.
Amenities & services
Heating, wood-burning fireplace, free wifi, pocket wifi, ethernet, Bluetooth sound system, kitchen with dishwasher, compact combi oven, stove, microwave, fridge and freezer, Nespresso coffee maker, kettle, toaster, wine glasses, dining table, cooking basics, bathtub, hair dryer, toiletries, room-darkening shades, bed linens and towels, extra pillows and blankets, iron, clothing storage, fireplace guards, smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, fully fenced garden, patio, outdoor furniture, barbecue grill, barbecue utensils, free parking on premises and street, private entrance, one small or medium dog welcome, self check-in by lockbox
Around
Inverenzie sits in quiet country across the river from Gairnshiel Lodge, deep in the Cairngorms National Park and about 15 minutes from Balmoral. Ballater, the local village, has an acclaimed restaurant, traditional pubs, a deli, the royal butcher and a Co-op. Braemar is roughly 25 minutes on, with the Fife Arms and its 16,000-piece art collection and the Highland Games each September. The owners point guests to the Linn of Dee walk and a picnic at the Punch Bowl on the River Quoich. Hill walking, salmon fishing and cycling start at the door, several golf courses lie within reach, and three of Scotland’s five ski resorts are close.
Location
Lary, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. Nearest airport: Aberdeen (ABZ, 70km).
Best time to visit
Spring to autumn, for green hills and long light, purple heather in August, and the best of the color in autumn. It closes each year from December to February.
Photography: Fran Mart
