Claybokie - Mar Lodge Estate | Braemar | Mar Lodge

4.7★

10 Guests
5 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
Pets No

Features

Off road parking
Ground floor accommodation
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Games Room
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

11 Customer Reviews

"Another relaxing week in a lovely property, peaceful, tranquil and exquisitely situated."

Reviewed by Robert5.0★May 2024
"We really enjoyed the cottage."

It was set up to a high standard and a very comfortable stay for a mixed group of winter walkers. My only criticism was the mattress on the double bed. It was extremely uncomfortable. We had to use two duvets as toppers to make it bearable. Can it be changed or at least a decent mattress topper? Also the duvet was a double when the bed is a king-size therefore did not cover the whole bed. Other than that we had an excellent break in a beautiful, well appointed cottage. Thank you

Reviewed by Carolyn4.4★Feb 2024
"We have been visiting this property for many years and have also booked for 2024."

Whilst very comfortable, clean and in a beautiful setting, there is now a fair amount of upgrading required. Mostly decorative, sofa covers very worn, bath surrounds water damaged, bedding worn. The new water system is very problematic, we had no water a few times.

Reviewed by Denise4.7★Oct 2023
"One wee small issue the long step at the end of the property is a potential hazard as there is no defined colour difference between the floor and step down, ultimately an unnoticed drop which could lead to a fall or twist of an ankle."

Maybe needs to be highlighted in some manner.

Thank you very much for highlighting this with us. We will investigate further. Property Owner

Reviewed by Robert5.0★Jun 2023
"Great accommodation for colleagues who were working in the area."

The cottage is clean, comfortable and very well equipped for a month long stay. We would be more than happy to book and stay again.

Reviewed by Luke4.7★Feb 2023
"We had a truly wonderful week at Claybokie."

It is a very special place in a magnificent setting. The house is lovely and it was very warmly furnished and supplied. The large supply of wood was excellent and lasted perfectly for one week. The kitchen (and Aga!) is amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed cooking and eating together in the grand dining room. However there are a couple of things we felt could be looked at. these did not detract at all from our enjoyment of the holiday, but hope they might help as constructive feedback. 1. We found it very difficult to work out where to collect the keys upon arrival. Approaching Mar Lodge is rather intimidating if one has never been there before and there is no signage for how to get around the back to reception. (These details are not listed in the key collection instructions). Equally there are no signs from the lodge to Claybokie itself, and in the dark it took us quite a while just to collect keys and work out where to go. 2. There was only one small (broken) clothes horse in the house for drying clothes. For a house sleeping 10, and no tumble dryer, there should be at least 2 clothes horses available. We did request another which was happily supplied. 3. The mattress on the left bed in the pink rose room could do with being replaced, as the springs are rather worn now. We definitely hope to return again, as claybokie and the Cairngorms have a special place in our heart now.

Reviewed by Mary4.7★Feb 2023
"A beautiful property with lots of space and well equipped."

Can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Susan5.0★Nov 2022
"House was generally "as described" and was of good size with ample space for our party of 4 adults and 6 children."

Some of our party reported that the beds weren't very comfortable. We had a problem with mice / larger rodents in the back door / utility area and the sun room which wasn't very pleasant so we didn't get to use the sun room much during our stay. A minor point would be that the oven trays provided fit the Aga but not the electric oven.... The views are amazing and we did enjoy our stay.

Thank you for your feedback which we passed onto our team at Mar Lodge. They will check the mattresses following your comments. As you know Mar Lodge is in a very rural location and at this time year mice will always try to get into a warm area such as a house or shed. We do have a full contract with a pest control company for the estate. Property Owner

Reviewed by Nigel3.4★Oct 2022
"I was there with my family which consisted, of my daughter her husband twins and my 86 old mother, it was amazing it suited all our needs ."

Thank you very much for your kind comments. We are very pleased that you enjoyed yourselves at Mar Lodge. Property Owner

Reviewed by Yvonne5.0★Jan 2022
"In this property the fixtures, fittings and furniture are of the highest standard, an exceptionally cosy and comfortable house with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the splendid surroundings."

Perfect.

Many thanks for your kind words and we hope to welcome you back at Mar Lodge. Property Owner

Reviewed by Ruth5.0★Dec 2021
"Lovely place."

A couple of things could be improved. A better explanation of where and how to collect the key. There’s no indication of where “reception” is, turns out it’s a small unmanned lobby at the rear of Mar Lodge. we had to search to find the WiFi password - it should really be together with the other welcome info on the kitchen table. The wifi was very unreliable, I see it has been commented on before. I have some experience so managed to get it going again by rebooting the modem and router. I wold strongly suggest that they are replaced asap if you want to provide a reasonably reliable WiFi, it’s my opinion that it’s the router/modem that are at fault rather than the DSL connection itself

Reviewed by David4.7★Sep 2021
There are no reviews featuring this term Show all reviews

Show more Hide all

Summary

Five bedrooms: 1 x double with en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x double, 1 x twin with en-suite bath, handheld shower, basin and WC, 2 x twin
Bathroom with bath, handheld shower, separate walk-in shower, basin and WC
Bathroom with bath, handheld shower, basin and WC
2 x cloakroom with basin and WC
Kitchen
Utility
Dining room
Living/dining room with open fire
Conservatory
Study
Electric central heating with open fire
AGA gas range cooker, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher
TV, DVD player, CD player, radio, WiFi
Fuel, power and starter pack for two fires inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Travel cot and highchair available on request
Private water supply
Off-road parking outside property
Shared garden with lawn, pond and seating
Sorry, no pets and no smoking
Shop and pub 4.1 miles
Note: Children are welcome, although it should be noted that there is an ornamental pond and young children should not be left unattended
Note: Two baskets of logs will be provided for the open fire and thereafter £10.00 per basket for further supplies
Note: The charging of electric vehicles is not permitted
Note: The stag ballroom, grand dining room, library and drawing room at Mar Lodge can be hired separately for private events – please contact the lodge for further details on +44 (0)13397 41276
Note: For larger groups, Garage Cottage 1062344 sleeping four guests, 2 bedrooms can be added to your booking for an additional charge, please call us for further information
Note: Mar Lodge Ranger service runs a number of scheduled walks and events throughout the year- information on these can be found by visiting here
Note: Please be aware there is livestock on the estate
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

The property

Situated amidst the Caledonia pine forest of the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate, Claybokie is an exclusive hideaway in the Highlands, perfect for a family gathering in Scotland.

Furnished in classic antique style, with uninterrupted views across the River Dee and Glen Ey, this quaint lodge offers a quintessential country retreat in the stunning Cairngorms National Park.

Come together within the large dining room for family celebrations, where you can relish time together over a family feast before retiring to the sitting room.

Home to a rustic open fire and a smaller dining table, along with incredible views from the large windows of the river and mountains beyond, the living/dining room is the perfect social space.

Relax in the conservatory with a good book in hand, or make the most of the elegant study for a quiet moment to yourself.

A large kitchen boasts an impressive AGA range cooker, sure to please any cooking enthusiast, with more appliances found in the utility room, while the ground floor is completed by two handy cloakrooms.

Delight in finding a tranquil and opulent sleeping spot in the evening, with one of two double bedrooms enjoying its own en-suite shower room, and one of three twin bedrooms benefitting from an en-suite bathroom, whilst the remaining rooms are served by two spacious bathrooms, offering every guest an elegant space to prepare for the day.

Spend time with your loved ones at Claybokie amidst the beautiful setting of Mar Lodge Estate in Scotland.

Note: This property can be booked with Refs. 1060439, 1060441, 1060443, 1060444, 1060494, 1060500, together sleeping up to 55 guests.

EPC Rating: Band F

Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: AS-00117-F

Mar Lodge Estate

Resting within the heart of the Cairngorms National Park is Mar Lodge, a beautiful Victorian sporting lodge that has been carefully restored by the National Trust for Scotland to offer wonderful holiday accommodation amidst one of the country's most iconic landscapes. With eight properties in total across the estate, Mar Lodge is ideal for large family gatherings or celebrations, providing couples and small groups with a perfect country retreat too. The picturesque lodge itself has been split into five luxuriously furnished apartments, including Dalvorar, Macdui, Braeriach, Derry and Bynack, whilst the remaining three, Claybokie, Garage Cottage and Creag Bhalg rest within a high-walled garden facing onto the river within the estate's pine woods. The main lodge is a true delight, with high ceilings, grand hallways and a fabulous billiards room, open to all apartments within the lodge at a small extra cost, the perfect space for socialising with your loved ones. This prime Highland estate has been visited by nobility since the medieval period and is now recognised as one of Scotland's most important conservation sites, with ongoing preservation work to maintain the beauty of the ancient Caledonian pine forest and to protect the native wildlife. If you're seeking a holiday rich in breath-taking scenery and outdoor adventures, then Mar Lodge Estate is a superb choice. Take walks through wooded glens, stroll alongside crystal clear burns and soak up the marvellous mountain scenery, with this estate being home to four of Britain's five highest mountains. Plenty of excitement can be had on a holiday here, with thrilling mountain-biking routes being perfect for adrenaline-seekers, the River Dee offering some of the best salmon fishing in the world, and classic sports like shooting and stalking being popular too. Head into the nearby village of Braemar for all your self-catering needs, home to a highly recommended local butcher, alongside some delightful cafés, shops and pubs to enjoy throughout your stay. Attractions nearby include the Queen's Balmoral Castle and Estate, with royalty often visiting the area since the estate was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, you can now visit too and attend a fascinating guided tour. Less than fifteen miles away is the Glenshee Ski Centre offering 40km of pistes for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months, so you can find excitement here all-year-round! History lovers will delight at the ease in which an array of wondrous NTS castles can be reached, including the fairytale delight of Craigievar Castle, Crathes Castle, home to diverse wildlife and an impressive interior, and Drum Castle, one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, all just a scenic drive away. Enjoy the wonders of this location from the luxury and comfort of Mar Lodge Estate.

View on map

About the location

BRAEMAR

Ballater 17 miles; Aberdeen 59 miles.

The village of Braemar in Royal Deeside sits amongst some of the most beautiful scenery Scotland has to offer. Nestling in the River Dee valley within the Cairngorms National Park, Braemar and the area around it are a treasure trove for the outdoor enthusiast, boasting 24 Munros, the highest 18-hole golf course in the country and close proximity to the Glenshee Ski Centre. The village offers plentiful opportunities for relaxation as well in the many cafes, shops and restaurants. The famous Highland Gathering in September, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, is a spectacular feast of highland games, music and dancing. Inverness, Aberdeen and Perth are a great day out, are accessed through great scenery, and are well worth a visit. Royal Deeside boasts many rare wildlife and plant species such as capercaillie, roe deer, red squirrels and golden eagles. With Braemar and Balmoral Castles and the Royal Lochnagar Distillery in this area, there is indeed something for everyone in this delightful part of Scotland.

Note: Children are welcome, although it should be noted that there is an ornamental pond and young children should not be left unattended.
Note: Mar Lodge Ranger service runs a number of scheduled walks and events throughout the year- information on these can be found by visiting here.
Note: Please be aware there is livestock on the estate.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Sustainable Property

Features

Reviews & Ratings

"Another relaxing week in a lovely property, peaceful, tranquil and exquisitely situated."

"We really enjoyed the cottage."

"We have been visiting this property for many years and have also booked for 2024."

"One wee small issue the long step at the end of the property is a potential hazard as there is no defined colour difference between the floor and step down, ultimately an unnoticed drop which could lead to a fall or twist of an ankle."

"Great accommodation for colleagues who were working in the area."

"We had a truly wonderful week at Claybokie."

"A beautiful property with lots of space and well equipped."

"House was generally "as described" and was of good size with ample space for our party of 4 adults and 6 children."

"I was there with my family which consisted, of my daughter her husband twins and my 86 old mother, it was amazing it suited all our needs ."

"In this property the fixtures, fittings and furniture are of the highest standard, an exceptionally cosy and comfortable house with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the splendid surroundings."

"Lovely place."