The Old School, a converted schoolhouse near Balmoral, Ballater, Scotland

Back to School in the Cairngorms National Park

The Old School did real work before the holidays. This was the village school, standing beside the River Gairn a step from Gairnshiel Lodge. When the Belgian family behind the lodge restored the estate, the schoolhouse was converted in the same register as the main house, stripped back rather than dressed up, with interiors by Maarten Van Meerbeeck.

The conversion kept the building simple, with hardwood floors, uncluttered rooms, and a spare and homely feel. Downstairs runs kitchen to dining room to living room, the shape of a family evening, with the three bedrooms split across the two floors.

Outside, the fully fenced garden is great for families. The dog is safe, the children are contained, and there's outdoor dining and a barbecue for the long evenings, which this far north in summer means light past 10PM. The views take in the mountains, and the estate opens straight off the doorstep. The same moor, the same river, the lodge next door, and Balmoral 10 minutes away.

The other homes on this estate (Gairnshiel Lodge, Laggan Cottage, Faunoran House, and Inverenzie Cottage) are all available to book via Boutique.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Ballater sleeps up to seven guests over two floors. Downstairs are the kitchen, a dining room and a living room, plus a double bedroom with an en-suite shower. Upstairs are a second double and a third bedroom with three single beds, which can be reset as a double and a single on request, sharing a bathroom with a shower over the bath. The two doubles cannot be twinned.

• Bedroom 1 (downstairs) — Double, en suite, shower

• Bedroom 2 (upstairs) — Double

• Bedroom 3 (upstairs) — Three singles (a double and a single on request)

• Upstairs bathroom, shower over bath, serving bedrooms 2 and 3

Good to know

The Old School is self-catered, with self check-in by lockbox and a private entrance. A car is recommended, and there is free parking on the premises. One small or medium dog is welcome, and the cottage is suitable for children. There is a washer and dryer on site. Shoes come off at the door, and there is no smoking inside.

Amenities & services

Heating, free wifi, flat-screen TV, sound system, dedicated workspace, fully equipped kitchen, oven, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, kettle, toaster, coffee maker, baking sheet, wine glasses, dining table, drying rack, bed linens and towels, hangers, iron, room-darkening shades, hardwood floors, bathtub and shower, hair dryer, toiletries, private fenced garden, terrace, outdoor furniture and dining, barbecue grill, mountain and garden views, smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, private entrance, free parking on premises, one small or medium dog welcome, self check-in by lockbox

Around

The Old School sits next to Gairnshiel Lodge in Glengairn, deep in the Cairngorms National Park, about 10 minutes from Balmoral. Ballater is six miles away, with 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. 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 enough for a winter day.