Greenwood
Ballater, Royal Deeside
Beautifully situated in a quiet residential area of the picturesque Highland village of Ballater, in the heart of Royal Deeside and around 40 miles west of Aberdeen, Greenwood is a substantial and superbly well-equipped property offering luxury accommodation for up to eight people in four comfortable bedrooms.
Quick Info
Sleeps: 8 | Bedrooms: 4 |
Changeover Day: Fri | Pets Allowed: Yes (2) |
No smoking | Bathrooms: 3 |
Licence No: AS01029F |
Originally constructed around 30 years ago, Greenwood has recently benefited from a comprehensive refurbishment and has been upgraded to the highest standard with the very best furniture and fittings. Entirely on one level, the house is surrounded by lovely, mature gardens that provide privacy for guests and security for pets. There is ample parking in a private driveway, and even an EV charging point.
Greenwood’s generous proportions make it the ideal destination for a large family or group of friends. The heart of the house is the spacious lounge, a bright and welcoming space with windows on three sides, yet also a cosy retreat in the evenings thanks to its wood-burning stove and large smart TV. This room has plenty of comfortable seating, stylish craft-made occasional furniture, and a desk.
The kitchen/dining room leads off from the main entrance hall, again featuring large windows that flood the space with natural light. The substantial dining table seats eight with ease, while a breakfast bar provides an option for more casual meals and smaller groups. Major kitchen appliances are all of the highest quality, including a large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, oven, combi microwave, and induction hob. A full range of smaller appliances is also provided, as well as a wall-mounted television. A wine fridge adds another luxurious touch. The adjacent utility/laundry/cloakroom offers a washing machine, dryer, sink, and plenty of storage space for outdoor clothing and footwear.
All four bedrooms are lovely. Two feature super-king-size beds, one of which can be split into two singles if preferred. Two bedrooms are en-suite, while the other two bedrooms share the family bathroom. All beds have vi-sprung mattresses and bases, guaranteeing comfort.
Outside, there is a large double garage, one side of which is available for storing bikes and other equipment. The garage also contains barbecue equipment available for guests. The fully enclosed rear garden is mostly lawned and features several seating areas, including one ideal for family dining when the weather permits. Additionally, there is an attractive sunken patio at the front of the house, with direct access via a door from the lounge.
This exceptional property is furnished and finished throughout to the highest standards. Set in an area rich in history, with excellent transport links and surrounded by natural beauty, Greenwood truly ticks all the boxes.
Prince Albert’s purchase of the Balmoral Estate in 1852 led to the area between Braemar and Ballater becoming known as Royal Deeside.
Albert replaced the original house with the imposing Scottish Baronial-style castle standing today, just seven miles from Greenwood. A favoured summer residence of the royal family, parts of the castle and its grounds are open to visitors at certain times of the year.
While Balmoral is renowned globally, there are many other historic sites nearby. The romantic ruin of Knock Castle is just one mile away. Crathes Castle (28 miles), a classic Scottish tower house, is managed by the National Trust for Scotland and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Kindrochit Castle (16 miles), although mostly ruined, was once the hunting seat of King Robert II, overlooking the Clunie Water.
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to explore close to Greenwood. The Cairngorms National Park offers a dramatic landscape of mountains, glens, and cliffs. It is home to red deer, grouse, golden eagles, and, in its woodlands, red squirrels and pine martens.
The park provides many opportunities for cycling, walking, and various water-based activities. Anglers will appreciate Greenwood’s proximity to the River Dee, one of Scotland’s premier salmon rivers—always check permit requirements before fishing. The lesser-known River Don, north of Ballater, is celebrated for specimen-sized brown trout.
Ballater, a picturesque village of around 1,500 residents, offers an impressive range of amenities. The local Co-op covers general grocery needs, while HM Sheridan’s is an award-winning butcher once patronised by Queen Elizabeth II. Shorty's Ice Cream Parlour is not to be missed, especially on warmer days. Deeside Deli stocks quality local produce, cheeses, vegetables, and freshly baked cakes. A pharmacy is also conveniently located in the village.
Dining options in Ballater are exceptional for a village of its size. The Fish Shop Restaurant, winner of a Condé Nast Traveller award in 2023, is essential for seafood lovers. Alternatively, traditional pub fare is available at the Balmoral Arms and Balmoral Bar, while Lochnagar Indian Brasserie is popular for both dining in and takeaways.
Cycle hire is available locally, perfect for exploring forest trails and quiet country roads. Nearby Braemar (16 miles), famed for its annual Highland Games, offers charming gift shops and cafés. A 40-mile journey east takes you to Aberdeen, renowned for oil and fishing, but also home to impressive architecture and an acclaimed art gallery housing one of Scotland’s finest municipal collections.
Local Events and Attractions
Please note: while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, the actual position of the cottage indicated on the map above and the proximity of the amenities in the Local Info section cannot be guaranteed to be precise and should be used as a guide only.
Accommodation
Single Storey
Open plan living area with wood-burning stove, Smart TV, electric oven, induction hob, fridge/freezer, wine fridge, dishwasher, coffee machine and microwave
Utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and air fryer
Double bedroom (super-king size) with en suite shower room with WC and wash basin
Double bedroom (king-size) with en suite shower room with WC and wash basin
Double bedroom (super-king size, can be converted to twin beds)
Double bedroom (king-size)
Shower room with WC and wash basin.
What's included
- Linen (King-size Double Bed)
- Free
- Highchair
- Free
- Linen (Single Bed)
- Free
- Linen (Super King)
- Free
- Sets of towels (per person)
- Free
- Travel Cot (excluding linen)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
Available Extras
- Pet
- £20.00
Services
Bed linen and towels INCLUDED. Electricity is INCLUDED. Heating is by electric central heating (INCLUDED) and wood-burning stove (logs INCLUDED). WiFi is INCLUDED. A maximum of 2 dogs are welcome (2 large, 2 medium or 2 small). If you wish to bring any other pets please contact us and we will see what we can do. No smoking.
Guest Comments
'Thank you for a fabulous holiday-you have an amazing home in Ballater and it is exquisitely furnished and really well-equipped. We were delighted to see the red squirrel in the garden!'
'Greenwood is a stunning house - beautifully furnished and extremely well equipped. The location is excellent - just a short walk into Ballater where we enjoyed lovely meals at The Fish Shop and Balmoral Arms. Ideally situated for exploring further afield, we visited Braemar, Balmoral and Crathes Castle - all worth taking the time to visit. There was even the added bonus of a daily visitor to the garden in the form of a red squirrel! Greenwood is the best house we have visited, by far, and we would be happy to recommend it whilst hoping to revisit ourselves.'
Guest Comments
'Thank you for a fabulous holiday-you have an amazing home in Ballater and it is exquisitely furnished and really well-equipped. We were delighted to see the red squirrel in the garden!'
'Greenwood is a stunning house - beautifully furnished and extremely well equipped. The location is excellent - just a short walk into Ballater where we enjoyed lovely meals at The Fish Shop and Balmoral Arms. Ideally situated for exploring further afield, we visited Braemar, Balmoral and Crathes Castle - all worth taking the time to visit. There was even the added bonus of a daily visitor to the garden in the form of a red squirrel! Greenwood is the best house we have visited, by far, and we would be happy to recommend it whilst hoping to revisit ourselves.'