Most people looking for a wilderness holiday tend to look beyond the UK. That's a mistake: parts of England may be full but vast swathes of Wales and Scotland still boast some of Europe's most remote and untouched landscapes – for example, the UK's largest national park – the Cairngorms – in the northeast of the country. If you want to lose yourself to nature and wildlife and have literally thousands of acres almost to yourself, this is just the place...
Deep in the heart of this natural paradise, about a mile into a 100-year-old forest of Scots Pines, the 12 cabins of Cairngorm Bothies provide the ultimate off-grid experience in the centre of the Cairngorms National Park, not far from the lovely Deeside town of Ballater. A sister business to the very popular
Cairngorm Lodges, they're not only very comfortable but eco-friendly too, with power provided by a solar farm and purified water from a local spring. Each has an outside deck and entrance hall and a main living and cooking area that gives way to a bathroom on one side and a bedroom on the other. The living area has a wood-burning stove fuelled by locally sourced logs to cook on and keep things warm and cosy – half oven and half hot plate, with a back boiler that doubles as a heating system and also heats the water for the shower, the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Lighting is provided by the same solar energy that powers the fridge and shower, and each bothy comfortably sleeps a couple up to a family of three to four across the living area and bedroom that house a UK standard-sized double bed and a trundle single bed (two mattresses 76 cm by 155cm) that's typically suitable for children of 10 and under.
The dictionary definition of a 'Bothy' is a hut used by farmworkers or as a refuge for walkers or climbers, and true to their name these bothies provide a real sense of peace and seclusion. Carefully constructed with the aim of creating as little disturbance to the forest as possible, each is elevated from the ground and positioned to give the best possible views of your location while not imposing on the landscape at all. The estate is primarily used for forestry so the roads in and out are decent, making it a relatively easy place to access by car, although once here you might want to lock your car keys away and spend your time exploring this remarkable location on foot, or even just breathing in the surrounding peace from your deck.
The bothies are all dog-friendly, and the forest has a multitude of paths, plus there are plenty of hill and mountain walks beyond. It's also a fabulous area for horse riding and in particular mountain biking, with some great routes through the forest. And it's not far from the two mountain-biking centres at Tarland Trails, and bike hire is available at Cycle Highland in Ballater, a great Royal Deeside village offering lots of independent shopping, restaurants and coffee shops. Whatever you decide to do, waking up here, surrounded by the sound of the forest, or going to sleep to the same rhythms of the natural world that surrounds you, is pure heaven.
Reviews
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Rated ★★★★★ over 6 reviews
★★★★★
Can't wait to return
Beautiful place, ideal location for a quiet peaceful getaway, lovely walks all around especially if you have a dog. Couldn't fault the place very clean everything you need, shower was brill and the log fire/cooker brings a lovely cozy feel. Can't wait to return and bring the kids this time, if your kids love to explore nature then they will love it here. Not a complaint but I found the mattress could have been a bit better. But everyone has their own preferred firmness. We only went for 2 nights and forgot a few kitchen musts, like tea! Maybe a nice touch if some teabags and suger where there for anyone coming from a long drive. (Just a suggestion) :) But overall we had the best 2 days.
★★★★★
Amazing location
Absolutely amazing location quiet and peaceful and lots of wildlife and wild birds. Lodge is spot on and warm and cosy everything you need.
★★★★★
Amazing escape
This was our 3rd trip to the bothies in 2 years which speaks volumes. The staff have always been tremendous, Sarah in particular. I love the fact that you're are left to your own, plenty of wood etc. It's just amazing to escape from a busy lifestyle.
★★★★★
Magical definitely worth every penny
Booked for a weekend to celebrate my birthday. Easy to find_ good directions. Absolutely stunning place bothie was spotless. Plenty of towels and blankets really friendly apld helpful staff, nothing was a bother. Small touches like a heater being on for our arrival, electric stove (in case we couldn't get the woodburner to work), kettle, plenty of toilet roll and kitchen roll hand wash really added to the stay. Shower was amazing good temperature and very easy to work and clean. Fab information book with everything you would need to know. Plenty of information on the surrounding area. Books and games a lovely touch too. Stove instructions were good. Plenty of wood firelighters etc and plenty of pans oven dishes good sized frying pan. Fridge was a fab size. Fold-away table and chairs was so handy for meals. Bed were very comfortable kids loved theirs. Decking was a nice area to sit bench was comfortable. Everything was so well kept. Good-sized parking area. Definitely recommend staying here all the family loved it. One of the best places I have stayed - will definitely be back.
★★★★★
Such a great place
Staff were very friendly and helpful. The location was stunning and there were plenty of places to visit. Very peaceful and quiet. You have lots of walks on your doorstep and wildlife/ Balmoral is not too far where there is an abundance of places to explore. We visited Loch Muick where we saw so many red deer and an eagle. We visited Balmoral Castle where we saw the red squirrels. Prince Albert's pyramid and so many stone circles and nature reserves were visited too. Would definitely go back to the Cairngorms Bothies. It's such a great place. It is basic but comfortable so don't go expecting all the home comforts. It is off-grid and back to basics. For us, there was nothing that we didn't like.
★★★★★
Would go again!
Bothy is lovely and the location amazing. Contacted Louisa about a wee question she got back straight away and was very helpful. So much to do in the surrounding areas - beautiful places. Take bird seed - had beautiful woodpecker chomping away.
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