Derrywood

New listing 6/7/16 Derrywood is situated on the lower slopes of the Morrone hill, just outside the Highland village of Braemar. It provides beautiful views of the surrounding hills from all rooms. The main house sleeps 6. On request up to 3 additional guests can be accommodated in the 2 bedrooms in Derrywood cottage behind the main house. We no longer allow additional guests in the main house. The cottage may not always be available, especially in winter, so please make enquiries first. Derrywood house sleeps 6 people. It has retained its traditional features since it was built in 1913, but some modern additions have been made over the years including in modern electric heating and in the kitchen. With beautiful views, birds and red squirrels in the garden, hectic modern-day life seems far away. The house is facing the river Clunie, with views towards the hills of Creag Choinnich and other hills surrounding Braemar. It has a large, sunny front garden with a romantic summerhouse that catches the sun from sunrise to sunset on summer days. The lounge has a smart tv, a working fireplace (firewood is provided for the duration of your stay), and houses a cabinet with many boardgames. It has a beautiful view from the bay window. The porch has space to store boots and shoes. The spacious dining room has a dining table in the bay window, a writing desk with information about the area and a bookcase with a wide selection of books, including books about Scotland and a range of cookery books. Children's books and games can be provided. There is a good Ibach piano for use by guests. The kitchen is fully fitted with an electric cooker, two ovens, microwave, toaster, and stocked with coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, olive oil, spices, and a wide range of pots, pans and kitchen equipment. Adjacent to the kitchen is a utility room with fridge, small freezer, and dryer (the washing machine is in the downstairs bathroom). There is a storage space behind the utility room that can be used for larger items such as skis or pushchairs. There is a second entrance into the house via the utility room. The downstairs bathroom is large with a bathtub, toilet, basin, and houses the washing machine. All 3 bedrooms are upstairs. Bedroom one has a king size double bed, dressing table, and a wardrobe with hanging space. It has beautiful views from the bay window over the front garden towards the countryside. Bedroom two has three single beds. It has a wardrobe with hanging space and shelving. Again it provides a stunning view from the bay window over the front garden. Bedroom three is the smallest with a single bed, a dressing table with drawers and space for hanging clothes. The view is over the back garden towards Derrywood cottage. The small upstairs bathroom has a toilet, basin, and an electric shower. There is shelving to store toiletries. The landing upstairs houses two drawer units with spare bedding and towels. The house has recently been insulated and upgraded with modern electric radiators in all rooms, the hallway, landing and utility room. New windows have been installed upstairs and all bay windows downstairs are refurbished. This makes the house easy to ventilate and to heat and comfortable for use all year round. Outside, there are two benches in front of the house to relax under the overhanging roof and enjoy the views. The summerhouse houses garden furniture that can be used inside or moved outside in the garden. The back garden has a swing chair and a grassed area where a table tennis table can be placed during the summer months (table is available). There is an area for drying clothes beside the kitchen entrance. Guests have access to a garage at the back of the house to store their own bikes or motorcycles. Mountain bikes, a folding bike to pop to the village, and 2 electric mountain bikes are available for use. If you want to use the garage for your bikes, or use the bikes available, please liaise with us beforehand. We do not have children’s bikes. An outdoor fire pit is available on request. It also allows for outdoor cooking. Guests are advised that the house is not suitable for wheelchair users. The access to the house itself is rather steep either via stone steps, which may be slippery in winter, or via a gradual climbing path through the garden. The main entrance involves going up two steps into the porch. The side entrance is almost level. All three bedrooms are upstairs. Outdoor lights help to navigate the access. Braemar golf course, famous for its spectacular location, is down the road from Derrywood, just a few minutes walk away. Braemar village is a five minute walk, and offers a medium-sized COOP supermarket (open 7 days a week from 8 am to 10 pm), a pharmacy, and an award-winning butcher. A high-quality mountain shop and several shops specialising in Highland products give the village a special edge. There is an art gallery, a number of nice coffee houses and several restaurants. During the summer months there are regular displays of pipe bands and there is a wide range of social and cultural activities in the village including in St. Margaret's Church, the Village Hall and the Art Gallery. Details can be found on the Braemar community site. Braemar Castle is as original as Scottish castles come. Currently closed, the ground remain accessible. Glenshee ski resort is nine miles to the south; for skiing in winter, and walking in summer. Then there are the beautiful walks that can be made in the immediate surroundings of Braemar village with views from the surrounding hill tops over the entire area. The village gives access to the Cairngorms national park, the biggest national park in Scotland. We stay in a cottage a short walk away from Derrywood house and cottage. We give our guests as much privacy as they wish. We welcome our guests personally, help them on their way, and assist directly with any queries they have. During the summer months we will be around to maintain the garden. We will try to do this while guests are away or during changeovers, but we may on occasion need to be there while guests are staying in the house. We will discuss with guests what is most suitable. The cottage behind Derrywood is a studio and Miep may be working there. On occasion relatives or artists stay there. You will find there is plenty of garden for all and most of the time you will have it all to yourself. When you are on a walk in Braemar area, the hills are truly yours. The golf course is two minutes walk away and welcomes guest players. The area is great for walking, mountain biking as well as road cycling. The A93 to the east leads to Balmoral Castle (15 minutes drive), Ballater (30 minutes), Aboyne (45 minutes) and Aberdeen (90 minutes). The road to the south leads to Pitlochry (45 minutes), and Perth (60 minutes). Towards the west, the road ends after nine miles at Lynn of Dee, starting point for numerous walks in the Cairngorms nature reserve. There is a regular bus service to Aberdeen. Please liaise before your stay if you need a cot, children's toys or children's books. Also let us know if you want to use the mountain bikes, or want to store bikes or motorbikes in the garage.