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4 Guests
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3 Bedrooms
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1 Bathroom
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Pets Yes
Features
- Ground floor bedroom
- Garden / Patio
- Pub/shop < 1 mile
- Washing machine
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
42 Customer Reviews
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"This is the third time I've stayed here, always have a great time."
Property is as listed and always clean, facilities are good. Lovely village with loads of local walks and access to the rest of the Highlands. Local cafes, shops are very good as well. Will book again when needed with no hesitation.
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"The cottage was used for two ladies working locally and met their needs very well."
Quiet and comfortable nights and the owner of the property was friendly and helpful.
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"Like other reviewers I found the cottage to be tired and some areas dusty and worn, and the kitchen felt old; and I didn't use it other than for hot drinks and food that didn't need cooking, it had everything a family would need."
The double bed was super comfy and but the room was too light as others have noted. As a solo traveller I had no issues with the availability of hot water and the bathroom and shower were good. The back garden is really beautiful but the area around the garage had a substantial amount of building debris and old bathroom fittings. To be fair the listing does not say the garden is for the private use of the cottage and the owner walked through when I was there. She kindly offered me the private parking space she doesn't use but there was plenty of parking in the lane and on the road outside. I asked about the heating and the owner said to knock on her door to ask for it to be turned on. I was uncomfortable with that personally, although appreciate others might not be. On the two sunny days, when the heating did not come on or was so early I missed it, it was uncomfortable for sitting downstairs and I used the electric fire which warmed up the room quickly. Conversely the upstairs bedrooms were very warm. The downstairs bedroom is very very tiny. I couldn't imagine it actually being used as a bedroom. The cottage was fine for me for a short stay as a base for exploring the area and the location is perfect. The upstairs bedrooms are really nice and while other reviewers have commented on the sitting room being small I was very comfortable in there even with the table half set up for papers and maps. It is perfect for a couple or a couple of friends sharing.
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"This is a great cottage, 150 years old in a village that matches."
It is quaint, clean and very homely. My family had a great week there through Feb halfterm with lots of Skiing at The Lecht. It had everything we needed and a very helpful owner next door. We would definitely stay again and recommend.
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"Lovely stay at the cottage, everything we needed was there."
Did struggle with the heating been controlled by the owner in the house next door, but we managed to get the house warm, as the temperature outside dropped to -12 at night, and we did have a lot of snow. It wasn't over clean, with dust and cobwebs and food behind the kitchen bin. Needs a bit of TLC as a bit dated, and carpets a bit worn thin. But the double bed was super comfy, so that was lovely. We didn't pay much, so I surpose you get what you pay for. Shower is a bit steady, and due to me have long thick hair took a while to wash the shampoo out, while hoping the hot water didn't run out. But still had a great stay. And the owner was lovely and chatty. Great location for brilliant walks, and the local pub was great to pop down for food and drinks. And a lovely week away with the dogs.
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"Mrs Greig was very welcoming and was on hand to sort any issues that arose."
There were no problems during our stay. We found the lodgings very cosy and comfortable. Tomintoul is a nice little village in a lovely wild location
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"The cottage was quite cold to start with until the heating kicked in."
The kitchen and bathroom were up to a good standard. Although there was a problem with streetlight coming in at night, nothing that a few blackout blinds couldn't fix. The beds however were comfortable. The living room was tiny and as we had the dinning table up for permanent use there wasn't much room. The overall experience of staying here was ok and it made a good base for exploring the area.
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"The property was very well looked after and tidy, and any equipment we needed was present to ensure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable."
Kathleen is friendly and more than happy to give advice towards local amenities and facilities, especially given that Tomintoul is a remote village and if you are driving your nearest fuel station is up the road in Grantown-on-Spey. This was also made clear before we arrived so there is no danger of you getting stranded through lack of awareness! The two upstairs bedrooms are warm and when we stayed had very comfortable bedding and good mattresses which allowed for much restful sleep. Sometimes you may need to reset the Wi-Fi extender as it can randomly disconnect overnight so if you are for some reason reliant on having internet on holiday be aware of that. However there is plenty of mobile signal available in the village so making phone calls and checking your social media (or the condition of the mountains if you're there in winter!) is still more than possible. Overall I would not hesitate to recommend this property, the location is excellent in the highest village in the Highlands, there is plenty of Scottish history to discover nearby, with places like Culloden less than an hour away by road, and if you like winter sports the warm and cosy nature of the cottage is ideal to come home to after a hard day on the slopes of the Lecht or Cairn Gorm.
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"The location was perfect for us however the cottage itself is very dated."
The heating is rarely on as it is down to the owner and was only put on in the morning to allow for showers. Water ran cold when trying to do dishes etc. The cottage wasn't cleaned to a high standard either. However we didn't spend too much time in the place as we were out every day so for the price (it being a little cheaper than most) it has to be expected.
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"The cottage is basically fine, and Kathleen who runs it, is a lovely lady."
She is very helpful and on hand, living next door, if you need to contact her. First of all, if you need to rely on wifi for anything, it is a bit hit and miss. There is an extender from the owner's system, but it didn't work too well. I have mobility issues so used the downstairs bedroom, but it is very small, and the bed creaks everytime you move. There is also a musty smell, similar to dried tea or herbs from the mattress, which I found a bit unpleasant. but if you open the window you get all the noise of the traffic/people walking by, as the window/front door open onto the pavement. If I were sleeping upstairs I would not really like a child to sleep on its own, in that room, as where your head is whilst in bed, the window is all that is separating you from the pavement outside. The front door is very difficult to lock, so we used the side/back entrance to come and go. Because of my health issues, I personally, found the toilet very low to sit on, and the sofa in the lounge far too low and soft, so I had to sit on one of the two bucket type chairs, which also was uncomfortable, but at least I could get up from unaided. There is no toilet upstairs, the shower room is really nice, but is downstairs. I guess what I am saying is, I wouldn't recommend this cottage if you have problems with stairs or need to get up during the night etc. The kitchen is OK but I would recommend ditching the pointless wooden cupboard by the window and putting a dishwasher in. I'd rather see a dishwasher in holiday accommodation, than a washing machine, but here you could have both. The cooker, microwave and fridge/freezer are very good. I would recommend a good, medium sized wok or saute pan for cooking stir fries/curries etc. otherwise the pans are OK. The linen is good and there is no problem with the TV although a DVD player and a small selection of films would be nice. It is very limited Freeview but we were able to use our own Netflix, which as said above, is fine if the wifi is OK at the time. Tomintoul itself is nice, friendly and there are lots of lovely walks around. There is a fish and chip van comes Tuesdays and we can certainly recommend them! I hope this is helpful and doesn't sound too negative, as with a little tweaking, this would be a lovely cottage. Best wishes.
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"We stayed here in September 2020."
Lovely to come back and see Tomintoul fully open. We love the house. The owner could not be more helpful. The facilities and position of the house are perfect for us and for our dog with the centre of the village 200yds away and walks on the doorstep. We will definitely be back
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"Lovely little cottage in a beautiful village in the Cairngorms."
Nice walks nearby including the spenway. Richmond Hotel does decent pub food and is very friendly.
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"Fantastic stay, well positioned in the village."
All amenities we needed were on hand, great welcome from Kathleen and having use of the garden was a real bonus! Thanks for making us do welcome.
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"If you're looking for a modern chic cottage, then look elsewhere."
However, this beautifully positioned cottage offers most comforts and some nice little touches to enable you to enjoy a stay here! Yes, it could do with some modernisation, but this is reflected in the price to some extent. The bed was comfy and the view of the old Chapel opposite was lovely, as was the large garden, shared with the owner. It was exceptionally cold during our visit when temperatures dropped to below -12° and us not being quite so hardy as the locals struggled a little with the kitchen in particular and the hall as both windows there were not double glazed and we're often frozen on the inside meaning it was difficult to warm those areas! Also, there is no radiator in the lounge, meaning it got very cold before the electric fire had heated it up! One last gripe, is that it states there is a DVD, there isn't! In order to watch a good selection of TV during our holiday, we drove to Elgin to buy a type of Firestick which we used with the aid of the wi-fi. Despite all the above, we enjoyed our week and the atmosphere in the cottage. The owner, who lives next door is a really lovely, helpful lady!
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"A very pleasant stay, fabulous scenery and walking routes."
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"Lovely cottage, great location."
We did lots of walks from the cottage without needing the car.
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"Thank you for such a wonderful week in Tomintoul."
Cottage was well equipped and comfortable. Kitchen was great with everything that we needed. Tomintoul is such a gem of a place with 3 pubs and a shop plus post office. Even a fish and chip van every Tuesday evening with delicious fish. Thank you to Kathleen for bringing our washing in when it rained. A really caring owner.
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"A good base for exploring the lovely surroundings."
The owner who lives next door was very helpful. Would stay again .
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"The owner was very kind en friendly."
Tomintoul is an historical interesting village to stay and the surrounding is beautiful.
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"The cottage was cosy, clean and had everything we needed."
The WiFi was good in all rooms and the garden was great for sitting out in. The cottage is in an ideal location for exploring Tomintoul and the surrounding area. The owners were incredibly friendly, helpful and supportive.
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"Fantastic little cottage in a great location, really enjoyed our weeks holiday thank you"
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"Having stayed in a number of Sykes properties over the years, this one was slightly below par from what we were used too…The overall decor and furnishings were very dated and the place could do with a really good clean, especially the kitchen."
. The carpets could do with a good cleaning and there was dust and cobwebs in most rooms… However the cottage is in a lovely rural location with great views and a big shared garden. The owner was lovely and very helpful.
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"Cottage was in a great location."
unfortunately it was very cold and the heating was controlled by the owner so we couldn't switch the heating up or indeed down as we needed. it also meant the hot water was only luke warm, not great for showering or washing the pots, we had to use kettles of boiling water for the washing up and not shower daily
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"Lovely owner, lovely house, lovely village, beautiful country, great pace of ..."
Lovely owner, lovely house, lovely village, beautiful country, great pace of life, hardly any traffic on the roads, everything you want from a holiday
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"An excellent place to stay, the owner was very friendly and helpful"
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"What a great wee cottage and in a great spot too."
Everything you could possibly need.... dog-friendly, lovely owner, 5 minutes walk from pubs, restaurants, wee shops, a short drive from Royal Deeside, the Speyside Whisky Trail and Cairngorm and brilliant walks from the doorstep. We will definitely be back.
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"We found the cottage to be comfortable and warm, close to the village facilities and plenty of nearby walking routes."
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"The cottage was comfortable and adequately equipped and in an ideal situation for walks/hikes and close to local facilities."
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"The cottage was warm brilliant place to explore and the scenery was brilliant ..."
The cottage was warm brilliant place to explore and the scenery was brilliant very nice place and the owner was very nice to chat with couldn’t fault it I would stay there again very nice love the area
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"Really great location lovely owner and had everything we needed"
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"Really good cottage, just as advertised, great location and good weather all week."
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"Tomintoul is a great location to ecplore the Cairngorms."
The cottage had everythi ng we needed.
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"I suppose its true you get what you pay for."
the house was very drab cold and draughty. The front door didn't fit properly so the wind whistled through, the front room door we had to wedge folded up paper to keep it shut, we left early ( on Thursday) because the weather was bad and the house held no comfort just to sit there. However the beds were clean and comfortable
"Many thanks for your feedback, we have fed your comments back to the owner in order to maintain our property standards. Your views are as valued as your initial booking so that we can keep providing the best UK holiday experience. Your points will also be reviewed to ensure that our property descriptions are accurate and not misleading. If you feel that you'd like to discuss your points further, please don't hesitate to call on the details below. Our lines are open 7 days a week from 9am until 7pm. Property Owner
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"The whole experience was great."
The cottage was brilliant, it was comfortable and warm for a family four plus a big dog. Location was stunning and a lovely big garden. The owner was fantastic, very helpful. Would recommend to anyone thinking of spending time in Scotland.
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"The cottage was warm when we arrive but some parts of the cottage was cold but ..."
The cottage was warm when we arrive but some parts of the cottage was cold but the owner put central heat on timer so we used fire in living room when cold only one shop that sells food & it is also post office if you want a superstore & fuel for your vehicle need to go to Grantown-on-Spey for both the superstore is the coop
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"Owner Kathleen met us on our arrival and showed us around the cottage; happy to answer any questions."
I met her several times after that and on each occasion she was very helpful and friendly. For me, the cottage offered 2 key provisions, both integral to the success of the holiday. My disabled son was able to use the downstairs facilities well and, as our dog was allowed to stay too, our time there was very enjoyable. Overall, lovely owner and well-equipped holiday home.
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"A nice little cottage."
Good location. Kitchen well equipped. Dining table in living room a bit small. Lovely garden.
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"The pretty stone cottage is really nice to stay in, with elegant and comfortable furniture, a well-equipped kitchen, a cosy flame-effect electric fire for chilly evenings, and an absolutely beautiful garden."
We only met the landlady, Kathleen, after a couple of days, as she had to be away on our first day, so the key was handed over by her husband, who is less outgoing. However, when we did meet Kathleen, we liked her very much. She is very warm and friendly, and told us lots of interesting background detail about the area. We had many beautiful walks on the hills round Tomintoul, as well as a stunning "Viewpoints" walk at the nearest slightly larger town, Grantown-on-Spey, and a fantastic visit to the Highland Wildlife Park. We enjoyed eating out in several of the nearby pubs and hotels, and would particularly recommend the Hotel Square. An excellent holiday.
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"The cottage is very comfy and clean and in a perfect location to explore the Cairngorms."
Lovely walks on the doorstep and we got lots of use out of our National Trust membership. The owner is really lovely.
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"Cottage located centrally in village and was a convenient base for exploring surrounding attractions."
Local pubs serve good food at reasonable prices.
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"This is a very good place to use as a base for fantastic drives through the mountains,or hikes on the many clearly signposted walks in the Highlands."
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"A pleasant, well-kept cottage with a warm welcome from the owner."
Summary
- Three bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x twin,1 x ground floor single
- Ground floor shower room with shower, basin and WC
- Kitchen
- Sitting room with dining area and electric fire.
- Oil central heating with electric fire
- Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, TV with Freeview, WiFi
- Fuel and power inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Roadside parking beside cottage
- Lawned garden with furniture (in Spring and Summer months)
- One well-behaved pet welcome
- Sorry, no smoking
- Shop and pub 2 mins walk
- River 10 mins walk.
The property
This lovely traditional end-terrace cottage is ideally situated in the friendly highland village of Tomintoul, Aberdeenshire, with easy access to local services.
The cottage is located on the main street and the owner lives in the adjoining cottage.
The cottage would suit a couple, a small family group or group of friends who will appreciate the location of their holiday home in the scenic Cairngorm National Park.
This delightful cottage provides cosy and comfortable accommodation and the ground floor has a comfortable sitting room with a dining area where a welcoming flame-effect fire ensures cosy nights indoors.
The well-equipped kitchen has everything required to prepare tasty meals.
There are three bedrooms with a single at ground floor level along with the shower room.
To the rear is a large lawned garden available for you to relax in on the warmer days, enjoying a relaxing drink whilst planning exciting days ahead.
It is just a short stroll to the village square and pretty village green where the local hotels, shops and Post Office can be found.
Visitors to the cottage will appreciate the excellent location and perhaps they will choose to follow the rather dramatic road east and visit the lovely villages of Ballater and Braemar in scenic Royal Deeside.
Perhaps a visit into Aviemore with its wonderful opportunities to indulge in outdoor pursuits would be appealing to the more active visitors.
Alternatively, there is always the famous Malt Whisky Trail, which not only provides a wonderful tour but the many distilleries along the route are excellent places to visit.
This beautiful and unspoilt part of Scotland will tick all the boxes and ensure a great holiday base.
This 'wee' cottage will prove to be a home from home.
EPC Rating: Band E
EPC Rating: Band E
About the location
TOMINTOUL
Grantown-On-Spey 14 miles; Elgin 38 miles.
An attractive village nestling on the northern slopes of the Cairngorms National Park, at 1160ft Tomintoul boasts the title of Highest Village in the Highlands. Tomintoul offers several shops, cafes and pubs, a well-stocked local store and post office, a good quality restaurant, and is situated on the main road between Royal Deeside and the Highlands, making it an excellent base for exploring all that the region has to offer. There is stunning scenery, the renowned Whisky and Castle trails, mountain biking at the Glenlivet bike trails, fishing, shooting, walks along the Speyside trail, or ski at nearby Lecht & Aviemore - the choice is yours!
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Christmas