East Lodge - Crathes Castle
ID: S282699
- Bedrooms 2
- ・ Sleeps 4
- ・ Pets 2
Snaptrip says
Guests appreciate the historic charm and beautiful setting of East Lodge - Crathes Castle, with its proximity to woodland walks and the castle. The estate's tranquility and the property's cleanliness are commended, though some guests suggest improvements in heating, draught-proofing, and maintenance. The location is ideal for exploring Deeside and the grounds offer delightful experiences.
Guests that stayed at this property said
The property generally receives positive remarks for cleanliness, with guests noting it as clean and well-presented. However, a few guests mentioned a damp smell and a lingering odour of dogs, slightly affecting the overall perception.
The location is highly praised for its beauty, access to local attractions, and the ability to walk in the castle grounds. Its proximity to Aberdeen and the Cairngorms National Park is also appreciated.
While the lodge's historic charm is liked, guests report issues with draughts, heating, and bed size, suggesting the need for more comfortable furnishings and better temperature control.
Facilities are seen as adequate but several guests have reported maintenance issues such as problems with the shower, heating, and lighting. The lack of Wi-Fi and unclear instructions for appliance use are noted drawbacks.
There are mixed comments regarding the thoughtfulness of provisions. Some guests were pleased with the basic items provided, while others expected more, such as a welcome note or additional treats. As there is no consistent mention of gifts, it is polite to note that such gestures are not guaranteed.
About this property
Banchory 3.6 miles. Set against the dramatic backdrop of rugged hills and within historic grounds is East Lodge, a charming ground floor cottage found on the Crathes Castle estate. Choose this impressive National Trust for Scotland lodge as your astounding base, entering the gothic estate through grand Victorian gates, amongst acres of the castle's extensive grounds. Spend an evening of relaxation in the living/dining room, beautifully decorated with original arch latticed windows and neutral furnishings, before gathering at the dining table to enjoy a homemade meal. Make use of the contemporary kitchen as a base to cook all your self-catered meals, equipped with all the necessary amenities, as well as a handy breakfast bar for more casual dining for two. The beautiful bedrooms provide a tranquil place to rest your head; choose between a double and a twin, both with matching décor, bright and airy windows and ample storage. Revel in a warming shower on a brisk autumn morning, the shower room preparing you for an action-packed day out with your loved ones. Enjoy alfresco dining at the picnic table in the summer months.Spend a relaxing afternoon strolling around the Crathes Castle estate; dating back to 1323 when King Robert the Bruce yielded the lands of Leys to the Burnett family, there’s plenty of history to discover while meandering through the impressive gardens, home to yew hedges which were planted in 1702, and finding a unique range of wildlife around the 240 hectare estate via six marked trails, spotting buzzards, bats, roe deer and herons along the way. See the wonder of Crathes Castle from its interior, with this extravagant property home to intricate mazes, tall towers, ancient turrets and antique paintings, being sure to watch out for the trip steps, made to confuse running attackers! Thrill seekers will adore this corner of Scotland, where you can spend a day swinging through high ropes courses at Go Ape Aberdeen, found within the castle grounds, or take smaller children to the fun-filled Wild Wood Adventure Play. Banchory town centre is just a car ride away, providing all the necessities you'll need, including a choice of shops, pubs, restaurants and takeaways, as well as a large golf course, parks and peaceful riverside walks. Other attractions in the area range from steam train rides next to the River Dee at the Royal Deeside Railway, to coastal resorts found further afield at Cove Bay, Portlethen and Stonehaven. Travel over to the city of Aberdeen for a vibrant day of cosmopolitan wonders, discovering the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, an Aberdeen Ghost Walk, plus vibrant bars and shopping experiences. Further afield you can find the spectacular Craigievar Castle, also owned by the National Trust for Scotland, where you can find a wealth of history, armour and art immersed in the castle said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella, while Leith Hall, Haddo House and Pitmedden Garden also lie just a short scenic drive away. The royal holiday of your dreams awaits at the historic East Lodge.
Banchory is a quaint town nestled within Aberdeenshire with the River Dee flowing through, home to a plethora of shops, pubs, restaurants, a golf course, fishing at the river as well as famous attractions such as the Crathes Castle and the bustling city of Aberdeen. Other destinations nearby include the coastal resorts of Cove Bay, Portlethen and Stonehaven.
Accommodation
All ground floor.
Two bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x twin.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Living/dining room
Oil-fired central heating.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher.
TV.
WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for 2 cars.
Garden with picnic table.
Two well-behaved pets welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 2.5 miles, pub 2.7 miles.
Note: Access is via the front door which has a step, also at the rear door to the property.
Note: The charging of electric vehicles is not permitted.
Note: Dogs are not allowed on beds or any of the furniture, you may like to bring an old towel to wipe muddy paws.
Note: The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here
Nearby points of interest
- Robert Gordon University (RGU) Aberdeen
- Dunnottar Castle
- Gordon Highlanders Museum
- Aberdeen Art Gallery
- Aberdeen Maritime Museum
- Aberdeen Arts Centre
Reviews (31)
-
Alison
Comfortable and clean. I would say that itâs not really suitable for people with young children. The single bedroom is a long way from the main bedroom. You have to go past the front door are, through the lounge up a long hall, before you get there. That side of the house is also draughty and cold. The road up to the Castle that the house is on is busy day and night. Very busy and the cars fly up and down there. We even had lads racing up and down there one night at 11.30 for a good hour. If you had dogs or children, you wouldnât want to let them go. It is pitch black outside at night. There was a torch provided but could have done with an outside light. Saying that, we had a lovely stay and the area was beautiful, fabulous places to visit and the locals were very friendly. The bins also werenât collected, so they were all completely full when we got there. We had to take our rubbish to the local tip on several occasions.
-
Harriet
We've stayed at other National Trust cottages in Aberdeenshire and Angus which have been much better. We are familiar with living in rural Scotland in the winter having lived in Highland for years. The cottage was cold. There were instructions not to touch the heating dials offering us electric fires as an alternative , which we could not find. The shower had a very slow run off and had clearly not been attended to for a while. The dishwasher filter needed cleaning. The bedside light was faulty. We changed it round for the bedroom we weren't using. The lighting was terrible - in the kitchen with only a central ceiling light, we were always in our own shadows. The sitting room side lights were dim. There was no working outside light at the back door which, given the season, meant that we were juggling torches and keys after about 5 pm and before 7 am. The garden was not private and certainly not secure. The estate road beside which the cottage sits was very busy, so no secure garden meant additional hazards for the dog. The condensation in the cottage was noticeable with very wet windows. This gave the feel of damp which was thoroughly unpleasant. On the plus side, the grounds of Crathes Castle were, of course, quite beautiful and we enjoyed some delightful walks in the grounds. We came up to visit a variety of family and friends and would have left early had it not been for prior arrangements. We think you should readjust your descriptions of this cottage and its surroundings to reflect the reality of the situation. We wonder if anybody from Sykes has actually visited it. Although the national trust cottages are bound to be slightly quirky, charging as much as you do requires the quirks to be charming rather than annoying and likely to spoil the visit. In good faith. Harriet and Donald Mowat.
-
Michael
2. A lingering smell of dogs all week - especially in our front bedroom - ventilation didn't help much 3. As instructed on Sunday we placed the black bin at the perimeter of the property to be collected by your staff and taken to the roadside for collection. Nor collected by your staff - despite two telephoned reminders to them - on Wednesday we moved the bin back as it was being used by opportunistic dog walkers to dispose of dog poo 4. An unnecessary visit by Open Reach to check the FTTP line as the problem is an incorrectly programmed - faulty - or incompatible router In spite of the above matters, we enjoyed our visit