In the dark month of January, the chance to have a little break and be surrounded by forests came at the perfect time. Nestled in a secluded and sheltered area of the Cairngorms lies the homely and inspiring accommodation of the Dell of Abernethy just a stone’s throw away from Nethy Bridge. This was the ideal location for us to be based to explore not only the area around the accommodation which is full of surprises but the wider area of the Glenmore Forest Park too.

Our accommodation for the few days we spent there was the beautifully renovated property of West Dell. Dell of Abernethy has 5 properties which offer the perfect escape for romantic getaways, family holidays, retreats and events. West Dell, East Dell, Little Dell, South Dell and Dell Lodge all have a unique feel and are original in their character and presence. It is the perfect location to get out and about or simply unwind, slow down, connect to nature and sit by the fire. There is no other properties nearby so it sits within a shelter of the trees with inspiring views as far as the eye can see.



The property has been renovated to a very high standard: retaining all of the unique features from the beginning with a cosy eclectic twist. The grounds around the cottage beckon you to have a wander and admire the wood carvings, the sculptures and the lanterns that dot around the trees (I loved this feature) it really brightened the place up in the evening.



We arrived late on the Saturday afternoon after a long and snowy drive from the Outer Hebrides. It was already getting dark and we were excited to just settle into the cottage, sit by the fire and unwind. It was also an added bonus when we were met with homemade brownies! The place beckons you to simply relax and be mindful of the surroundings around you, we tend not to give ourselves much time to read, think or simply do nothing but enjoy the moment in where you are so it was refreshing having no obligations, nothing we really had to do but enjoy the cottage.



We embarked early from Dell on the Sunday morning to make the most of the bright winters sun (a welcome in the depths of winter) and made our way for the Glenmore Forest Park. We parked up behind Glenmore Lodge and took off for the walk that would take us up past Lochan Uaine, (The Green Lochan) Ryvoan Bothy and then up and over Mealla a’ Bhuachaille standing proud with incredible views over the Cairngorm Mountain Range and further North.



I have to say there is so much to do in this area around Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten, Aviemore and Glenmore. As we only had a couple of days to spend in the area, instead of being overwhelmed at the abundance of walks to do, we picked the one that would cover a large area and spent time really getting to know that place, hence the reason we chose this one. We passed the unique vibrant waters of the Green Lochan and popped our heads into Ryvoan Bothy, (this is on my list for the summer) and then headed straight up the steep but impressive path which goes straight to the summit of Meall a’ Buachaille. We were very lucky with the weather, the light doesn’t last very long at this time of the year in Scotland so we were eager to make the most of the sun as it shone on us towards the ascent of the mountain. The climb itself is relatively easy (13 miles return loop) and is paved most of the way with rocks and a stony staircase all the way to the cairn at the summit.



We left feeling impressed with the area and more of a knowledge of the panoramic vistas that the mountain climb offered us. It was then onto the infamous Aviemore Mountain Café after exhausting most of our energy on the climb, also cake is always deserved after a hike right? The café offers up a hearty lunch with a unique menu, brilliant coffee and even more delicious cake, a warm welcome after being in the cold for the better part of the day. We then took a spin around the Glenmore Forest Park stopping at our favourite Loch Morlich for views over to the snowy dramatic mountains. By this time it was dark and there was only one thing to do and that was to spend the evening in the warm and lively Old Bridge Inn situated just outside of Aviemore. This was recommended to us by the brilliant team at Dell of Abernethy and it definitely didn’t disappoint! The Old Bridge inn served us hearty delicious food, it has a fine range of malts and local ales, hosts some varied music nights and has such a vibrant atmosphere!



On Monday morning we left early once again to head over to Inshriach where I had booked us onto a Nordic Woodcraft Course with Wooden Tom. The location itself is incredible, Tom Banks who calls himself Wooden Tom has a base where he has built a shelter/ cabin and workshop area in the middle of the forest on the Inshriach Farm Grounds. We spent the day with him learning about various techniques on how to carve from wood, the difference in working with certain wood, carving spoons and having a wonderful time learning a new skill which we will definitely be incorporating into life back on North Uist, (that is if we can find enough trees!) If you would like to book onto a workshop with wooden tom and learn a new skill which is completely environmentally friendly and highly recommended please head on over to the website. Courses are for solo learners or groups.



We spent the rest of our break enjoying our peaceful cottage at Dell of Abernethy and giving ourselves some time to relax and just enjoy the environment and atmosphere of the place. The Dell not only offers unique accommodation but is also available as a wedding venue and runs retreats and events throughout the year! 

If you would like to book in for a stay at this wonderful place (which I can highly recommend) please follow this link: Dell of Abernethy and pick one of these cottages to escape to, I know I’ll be going back as soon as I can! Thanks again to the lovely team of Wendy, Polly and Ross for hosting us in your beautiful corner of the Country and providing us with many spot on recommendations of places to eat, places to see and walks to venture on in the area! We had such a lovely stay slowing down and connecting to nature, thanks again for reminding us what is important!

To follow along on social media head on over to their instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/dellofabernethy/ and facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DellofAbernethy 

Whether you are looking for an extravagant adventure, or you just want to immerse yourself in Scotland’s history, we’ve got a castle stay that you’ll be talking about for years to come. There are even chances to camp in the grounds of some castles, if you’re looking for a more affordable option. Many castles offer great backdrops for life’s memorable moments, with parties, weddings and special events held in their grounds – always check their websites for specific details. 

Here’s a snapshot of just a few castles you can stay in: 

Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae, Ayrshire
 

This graceful 5-star luxury hotel comprises 17 extravagant bedrooms complete with Baronial architecture, an award-winning restaurant serving delicious Scottish produce and afternoon tea, and a picturesque location that overlooks the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig. The property is also suitable for weddings and exclusive use events. 

Dornoch Castle, Sutherland, the Highlands 

Tasteful décor, inspiring legends and hundreds of years of history combine to bring you a unforgettable stay in the north Highlands. Dornoch Castle is directly opposite the 12th century Dornoch Cathedral, and offers guests a decadent Highlands experience, complete with whisky tastings and the nearby Dornoch Golf Club, which celebrates 400 years of golf in 2016.  

Hoddom Castle, near Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway 

If you can’t stay in the castle, you can always stay next door to it! Hoddom Castle is an uninhabited tower, which today offers a delightful backdrop for glampers and campers with ‘chill pods’. Or you can always pitch your tent or park your caravan in amongst the surrounding lush woodlands. There’s plenty to do with mountain biking trails and fishing nearby in the River Annan.  

Balvaird Apartment,  Scone Palace, Perth
 

Scone Palace has lived through some pivotal moments in Scotland’s history. Nowadays, you can stay over in this beautiful self-catering apartment, which sleeps up to six people, and enjoys views over the palace’s grounds, the crowning place of generations of Scottish kings and queens.  

What about staying in a magnificent, fortified 16th century tower? Fenton Tower is located just 20 miles east of Edinburgh between Gullane and North Berwick. It has been lovingly restored to provide luxury accommodation for up to 12 people, with country sports and golf on offer to guests. 

Glengorm Castle, Isle of Mull 

Perched blissfully on the edge of Mull, the striking grounds of Glengorm Castle offers guests many unique accommodation options, including bed and breakfast rooms with stunning views, a night in the castle’s turrets, or a self-catering flat which sleeps six. With its cosy family feel, you’ll feel right at home. 

Ackergill Tower, Wick, the Highlands 

Looming over the northern coastline, Ackergill Tower is a far-flung gem of the Highlands. Enjoy roaring fires, beach wanders and perhaps some paddles in the ocean, before settling down for an amazing night’s sleep. 

Have you stayed in a castle in Scotland? Post your experiences, pictures and recommendations here.

Behind the church is a walkway up to Creag an Tuirc, which was a rallying place of the MacLaren clan, and has absolutely stunning views over the village of Balquhidder and Loch Voil. The walk was quite steep, not too challenging, and took us about 30 mins to get to the top, but the steep climb was worth it for the views! I would recommend some hiking boots for this walk though. I also saw a cheeky wee red squirrel which I was delighted about (am I the only one to get so excited about red squirrels?).

After a few hours enjoying Balquidder we jumped in the car again and off we went up to Comrie where we took a wander through the village and popped in and out of the many wee local independent shops before heading off to check into the yurt and meet Melanie. On Melanie's recommendation we went back to Balquhidder for dinner to Mhor84, run by her brother, chef Tom Lewis. The food was absolutely amazing; we enjoyed fresh oysters, local lamb and a delicious dessert and the restaurant had a lovely, laid back atmosphere. 

So after a busy day in the Highlands we settled down for the evening in the yurt with some music and a roaring fire courtesy of the wood burning stove, for once I as delighted that it had started to rain outside (although it was dry all day - score!), the sound of the rain outside with the fire inside made it all the more cosy. The next morning after a delicious breakfast of whisky porridge (yum) and freshly laid (that morning, by Mel's hens) poached eggs we set off to do it all again. 

A weekend to remember!