self catering accommodation aviemore

Achnahatnich House

3 Bedrooms | 6 Guests | Dogs Welcome

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a luxury family experience

This spacious self catering family accommodation in Aviemore is perfectly situated in the heart of Cairngorms National Park, making it the perfect destination for families seeking a truly unforgettable holiday in Scotland. Enjoy the views and the variety of family friendly activities on Rothiemurchus Estate.

  • 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 6 Guests | Dogs Welcome
  • Breathtaking mountain views
  • Family friendly
  • Free Wifi
  • Doorstep access to family activities
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Thank you for your interest in our luxury cottages in Aviemore. We offer check in/out days on Mondays and Fridays, allowing you to plan your stay with convenience and ease. We require a minimum stay of 3 nights to ensure that you have ample time to fully enjoy your Highland getaway.

Short breaks – weekend and mid-week stays are available throughout the year!

We understand that each guest may have unique preferences and scheduling needs, and we are committed to providing exceptional service to ensure your stay is tailored to your requirements. Whether you have specific date preferences or any other requests, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to assisting you in planning your memorable stay at our luxury cottage +44 (0)1479 436100.

‘The house is lovely, home from home. We enjoyed the views, walks and peace and quiet. Would recommend and will be back!’ Thanks The JacksonsJune 2021

3 Bedroom | 6 Guests | 3 bathrooms/3 showers | Dogs Welcome

  • Perfect size family accommodation
  • Panoramic views of  The Cairngorms
  • Private and secluded location
  • 2 Wood burning fireplaces
  • Less than 10 minute drive to Aviemore and Cairngorm Mountain

At the end of your own private road in the Rothiemurchus Forest, the self catering Achnahatnich House sits in a secluded and elevated position looking out to the mountains as it has done since the 1900s.  It has been beautifully renovated to provide the ultimate family break in Aviemore.

LIVING

On entering Achnahatnich House, you’ll find a light, bright and spacious atmosphere. The interiors are in a more Scandinavian style, welcoming, practical and pretty. You’ll first be met with the open plan kitchen, dining area and snug – an incredible social area for families or friends that features a wood burning fireplace. The dining table sits in front of a large window so you all can gaze out towards the mountains as you eat. The kitchen provides everything you desire if you’re looking to cook some family style meals. It is fully stocked with all the cooking essentials, plus oils and herbs. You’ll find an electric hob, cooker, fridge, freezer, wine cooler, Lavazza coffee maker and dishwasher.

As you wander down the long corridor, you’ll discover a spacious ensuite bedroom, offering a tranquil retreat. With a window overlooking the beautiful back garden, you can wake up to the soothing sight of nature and feel instantly refreshed. Continuing your journey, you’ll be welcomed into the gorgeous sitting room, where the entire family can relax. Sink into the plush sofas and chairs, designed for ultimate comfort, and let the stresses of the day melt away. The room boasts yet another wood-burning fireplace, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance. Feel the warmth of the crackling fire as you unwind and enjoy post-dinner conversations, the ultimate luxury family experience.

As you ascend the stairs, you’ll be greeted by two more simply gorgeous bedrooms, including the magnificent primary bedroom. These bedrooms have been designed with utmost care and attention to detail. Connected to the primary bedroom is the grand bathroom, a true masterpiece of relaxation. The centerpiece of this exquisite space is the freestanding tub, strategically positioned to offer breathtaking views of the ever-changing skies through the window. Picture yourself reclining in the tub, surrounded by tranquility, and embracing the natural beauty that unfolds outside.

Each of the 3 bedrooms have all been furnished with supremely comfortable beds and linens – mattresses from Cocketts and luxury 600 thread count bed linens – for the best night’s sleep you will have had in years. With such cosy and inviting sleeping arrangements, you may find it hard to resist the temptation of a long lie-in. Bask in the tranquility of your bedroom, surrounded by elegant furnishings and serene ambiance.  Enjoy the underfloor heating in each of the bathrooms, adding a touch of luxury and ensuring your utmost comfort throughout your stay.

OUTSIDE

From the front of the house, you’ll be treated to captivating views of the ever-changing colours and patterns that adorn the majestic mountains of the Cairngorms. Take a seat in the newly build covered patio and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings, as the calls of pheasants, swallows, and curlews echo through the serene countryside.

Your furry companions can roam freely and safely within the large enclosed garden, ensuring they enjoy their holiday in Aviemore just as much as you do!

For an even more awe-inspiring vista, venture to the little seating area located at the top of the hill behind the house. From this elevated vantage point, you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the Lairig Ghru, one of Scotland’s most iconic mountain passes. This historic route leads to the picturesque Deeside and Braemar, offering a glimpse into the rich heritage and natural beauty of the region.

CHILDREN

Cots and highchairs can be provided during your stay, just let us know in advance and we’ll have them in the property for your arrival. Please note, since most little ones prefer their own comforts, we don’t provide linens for the cot.

PETS WELCOME

We love dogs and gladly accept them into our properties – we charge a £25 pet fee to cover the extra cleaning charges to keep everything extremely pristine for you and other guests. Please see our terms and conditions for more information about pets.

PROVIDED

  • Welcome hamper
  • Linen, towels and flannel
  • Luxury soap, hand cream, shampoo, conditioner and body wash products by Noble Isle.
  • Salt and pepper and a selection of herbs and spices
  • Tea, coffee and sugar
  • Coffee capsules
  • Hypo-allergenic pillows and duvets available on request
  • Olive oil
  • Kitchen cleaning materials – Washing up liquid, washing up cloth and brush, dishwasher tablets
  • Laundry essentials: Washing machine liquid and softener
  • Kitchen essentials: Oven gloves, kitchen roll, aluminium foil, baking parchment, cling film, bin bags
  • Bathroom/Kitchen cleaner
  • Firelighters and matches

Short-term Let License Number: FS546862362
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is E.

HISTORY

Achnahatnich House’s Hidden History

Rothiemurchus is a very old human settlement, as the name dates to the 8th Century. The first inhabitants were most likely Picts and Rothiemurchus would have been the centre of the great Caledonian Pine Forest of Scotland. The Parish of Rothiemurchus belonged to the crown until 1226 when Alexander II gave it to Andrew Bishop of Moray as a hereditary thanage. Since the 16th Century it has been under the stewardship of the Grant family. In 1574 Patrick Grant, was designated “of Rothiemurchus” by King James VI and he then moved to The Doune of Rothiemurchus from Muckrach near Dulnain Bridge in 1597.

Achnahatnich House itself was built in 1900, from which time the farm and house were a tenant farm, occupied by Seamus and Belle Smith. A neighbouring tenant farm, Lower Tullochgrue, had been farmed by the Collie family for at least 200 years. During the war, the tenant farmer’s son William Collie was back on leave from fighting in Italy with the Lovat Scouts. He was told that Seamus Smith had died, and so Achnahatnich Farm was now without a tenant. William approached Sheriff Grant (grandfather of the current laird) to ask if there was a possibility of his taking on the tenancy himself. Sheriff Grant responded: “If the war spares you, it will be yours to come home to.”

William was indeed spared, and took up his tenancy in 1946. As was common in those days, he and his family let Achnahatnich House out over the summer season as a self catered holiday house and would move out to in the wooden house which still exists the other side of the farm buildings. The house would be let this way until 1963.

One of the guests was Nigel Tranter OBE, the author of Scottish historical novels, who rented the house over September 1947. Billie remembers his father advising him that there wasn’t much in the way of furniture in the house, as they were only starting out. The writer generously responded that he didn’t mind and would take the house nevertheless.

Billy Collie took over the tenancy from his father and retired to Aviemore in 2018, and work started on preparing the farmhouse to welcome a new generation of guests…

If you would like to book any of these wonderful extras for your stay, please let us know and we’ll have it all arranged for you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars based on 21 customer reviews

Had a fantastic break in the snow - House is perfect!
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03 Jan 2025
We had a lovely stay. Walking from the door for miles was perfect. The Farm shop had everything we needed and the steaks were amazing. The garden is perfect for the dog, she loved it! Thank you - The Goodwins November 2024
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01 Nov 2024
The house is lovely, home from home. We enjoyed the views, walks and peace and quiet. Would recommend and will be back! Thanks The Jacksons January 2024
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04 Jan 2024
Beautiful views and house interiors. Amazing location - rural but still close to everything. Extremely well organised and responsive host (even during Christmas!) with great welcome pack and everything you could need in the house. Laura December 2023
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24 Dec 2023
We have enjoyed a fabulous holiday here. Leaving us feeling all very festive. The house is beautiful and very homly and the surrounding area is incredible. Lots of lovely walks, we will be back next year. The Everards December 2023
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15 Dec 2023
We have had a great stay at Achnahatnich House. We found it very welcoming, well appointed and delightfully decorated. Thank you.
Overall it was brilliant, and we appreciated many of the detailed touches. Thank you. Caroline
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17 Nov 2023

LOCATION

Achnahatnich House is incredibly accessible by road, rail and air. Situated less than 10 minutes’ drive from Aviemore, 35 minutes’ drive from Inverness through stunning Highland scenery and just over an hour’s flight from London, you can be at the heart of the Scottish Highlands quicker than you may think.

BY RAIL

Aviemore Station is 2 miles from Achnahatnich House and taxis are readily available. It is serviced by direct National Express and Caledonian Sleeper services from London and the south, and has links to all major cities (3 hours from Glasgow or Edinburgh). You can pick up a taxi from outside Aviemore Station or you can book a taxi on 01479 812 000 or 01479 811 111. If you aren’t heading straight to the cottages, you can leave your luggage with Aviemore Luggage Storage so you can easily explore without carrying your bags around with you.

Car hire – you can travel to Aviemore by train, and collect your hire car from Aviemore Car & Van Hire right outside the train station. Please see www.aviemorecarhire.co.uk who will meet you off even the earliest or latest trains.

The newly refurbished Caledonian Sleeper is the most luxurious and romantic way to arrive here and pulls in around 7am at Aviemore Station.

BY ROAD

Achnahatnich House is situated about 3 miles from the main A9 road from Perth to Inverness and 10-minutes by car from Aviemore.

BY AIR

Inverness Airport is only a 45-minute drive away, taking you through some stunning landscapes on the fast A9 road. Direct flights take just over an hour from London, with British Airways serving the airport daily from London Heathrow and Easyjet 3-5 times a day from London (Gatwick and Luton). LoganAir fly direct daily from Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast. Daily flights with KLM link Inverness to Amsterdam Schiphol, which then links to another 176 European cities. From Inverness Airport, you can collect a hire car from a number of competitively-priced providers.

We have a safe landing site if you would like to arrive by private helicopter. Please speak to us to arrange landing and onward transport.

Discover a luxury holiday in the Scottish Highlands. Our beautifully restored traditional Scottish accommodation can be hired on a self-catered or fully pampered basis. Discover the Scottish Highlands with Hidden Highland Retreats

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