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Magical Woodland Cottage

Photo gallery for Magical Woodland Cottage

Ballintober
Dining
Sitting Room
Stairs
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Internet access

Explore the area

View map
Ballater
  • Place, Cairngorms National Park
    ‪1 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Magical Woodland Cottage

Ballintober is a pretty cottage in a magical woodland setting in the heart of the Glenmuick Estate and provides the perfect base from which to explore Royal Deeside.

This beautifully renovated cottage has three Double/Twin Bedrooms with a Bathroom, open plan Kitchen/Dining Room, Sitting Room and separate Shower Room. The Sitting Room has a cosy open fireplace, WiFi and a Digital TV with DVD player.

The Kitchen is well equipped with:

electric oven and hob
fridge/freezer
kettle
microwave
dishwasher
washing machine
tumble dryer

All heating, linen, towels and logs are provided. A Cot and High Chair can be provided on request.

EPC Rating - D
Licence number: AS-00479-F

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No booking can be accepted less than 3 days in advance of day of arrival

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number AS-00479-F
Property # 10072564
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Ballater

Ballater is home to this holiday home. Balmoral Castle and Knock Castle are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Ballater Golf Club and Royal Lochnagar Distillery. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding, hiking/biking trails and mountain climbing nearby.
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Map
Ballater

What's nearby

  • Cairngorms National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Keiller Lounge - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Fish Shop - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Bean For Coffee - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Clachan Grill - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Lochnagar Indian Brasserie - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Magical Woodland Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Magical Woodland Cottage ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Magical Woodland Cottage ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Magical Woodland Cottage ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Magical Woodland Cottage located?

Situated in Ballater, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Ballater Golf Club, Knock Castle and Victoria and Albert Halls. Ballater Library is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 26 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 26 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 26 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Conal T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a wonderful stay we had. Perfect location. Beautiful walks from the front door. The cottage had everything we needed. We were sorry to leave.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 17 March 2026
Excellent guests , welcome back anytime , everything left clean and tidy
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Antoinette D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved everything of the house. It was clean, nice bathrooms, good fireplace and enough wood.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 December 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review. It’s kind of you to take the time and very much appreciated. We hope to welcome you back again one day.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a jewel in the Highlands. It was spotless, nicely appointed with quality furniture and prints on the wall. The surroundings really are magical.
Sunset arrival
Woodland surroundings
Views from the windows
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 September 2025
Thank you for your lovely review, it's really appreciated. So pleased you enjoyed your stay with us and we hope you will visit us again some time. Kind regards Carol
Verified

8/10 Good

Anita H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay, thank you. The location is comfortable and so peaceful but still within easy reach of Ballater. Fabulous walking all around. Our one reservation was the track going to the property which was a bit nerve wracking with a low wheelbase.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lutz K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful House in a very nice area

We had fantastic holidays at this lovely place
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 August 2023
We are all so pleased that you enjoyed your stay. You were lovely guests to host a stay for and we all hope that we may see you again, at anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wooyed Cottage

Nice quiet location.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Cottage

We had a great stay at the cottage. Had everything we needed in it. Close to Ballater for shops, cafes and restaurants. Great access to walking and cycle trails.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 April 2024
So pleased you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again at anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Harry S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

First class location. So much to see and do in the area. The house works very well (we were a party of 2 adults, 2 teens and a tween). A great trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 April 2025
Thank you for your lovely review, it was a pleasure to host a stay for you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bruno L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage in the woods near Ballater

We loved our stay in this stunning cottage. Lovely comfortable, welcoming interior. Great views and lovely walks from the house. Walking distance or a short drive from Ballater. Perfect spot to discover the Cairngorms.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 September 2023
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay and we hope that we may see you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful cabin

Just wow! We spent a magical two weeks at Ballentober. The staff were quick to answer questions and to help out when needed. The cottage is exactly as advertised and as beautiful as you are probably imagining. We were so sad to leave and hope to be back again soon!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 27 June 2025
Good morning Elizabeth, Thank you so much for your lovely review. It’s kind of you to take the time and very much appreciated. We hope to welcome you back again one day. Best wishes Carol
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome in every way

Great location and great private cottage for our family to use as a base to explore the area and enjoy family time together. Also loved the access to horseback riding, fly fishing and stalking.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
I am so pleased that you enjoyed your stay with us and found lots to do. I hope that we may see you again at anytime as we would love to host another stay for you. Kind regards
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynn D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cheerful, clean cottage in a beautiful setting.

The home and location were perfect for our adult family of 6. It is quite clean and neat and has wonderful large windows looking out to the beautiful land surrounding the home. We were able to walk to town, ride bikes and hike right from the home. Well equipped kitchen and cozy beds. Hated to leave.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 May 2025
Thank you for your lovely review, it's really appreciated. So pleased you enjoyed your stay with us and we hope you will visit again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Monika P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!

We enjoyed our stay at the cottage very much. We love everything about it! The location is great and the cottage itself is very cosy. We will be back!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Monika - we are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay and that you hope to visit us again - we look forward to hearing from you again, at any time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Keith L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Well equipped cottage in relaxing setting

This is a well equipped, up to date, cosy cottage, ideal for groups of 6 staying in the area and also benefitting from good garden areas. The cottage is in a quiet location (4x4 car preferred) but accessing Ballater is easy. The surroundings are beautiful and ideal for walks etc
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Thank you for your lovely review and so pleased that you liked the cottage and enjoyed your stay with us. We all hope that we may see you again at anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deneka L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfection

We had an incredible time!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
We are all so pleased that you had an incredible stay with us and hope that we may see you again, we would love to host another stay for you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mareike W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfekter Urlaub in Ballintober

We had a wonderful time in Ballintober. The house is very nice and one can see that it is decorated with love and a good sense for the combination between old and new. The neighborhood is beautiful and the weather was fine.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Dear Mareike Thank you for your lovely review, you were lovely guests to host a stay for and we hope that we may see you again, at anytime. Best wishes, Jacqui
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dr. Christian G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome place in scottish highlands

We have very much enjoyed the beautiful house the lovely landscape and all Scottland during our holidays. We were pretty much suprised on the visit of a deer in the garden. It ist a a really good starting point for hiking tours in the highlands.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2024
I am so pleased that you enjoyed your stay and what a lovely surprise to have a deer in the garden. We would love to welcome you back at anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robbin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely

Thank you for sharing this charming spot tucked away in the woods. We had fabulous weather, so the only disappointment was only having one night cool enough for a fire in the adorable fireplace.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ballater Gem

Five adult family members had a superb, bordering on perfect, stay @ Ballintober. Lovely, comfortable home, private, near town, but away, too. Hikes, fishing, biking & the Highlands in springtime…truly hated to leave.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rosie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful setting for a family reunion

It was so good to be able to meet up with family after another lockdown! The house was in a wonderfully peaceful location, but just minutes away from Ballater for shopping and restaurants. The accommodation was spotlessly clean, well furnished and very comfortable. The kitchen had everything you would need for a short or long break. Despite the poor weather, we managed a number of spectacular walks and the house was very cosy to return to afterwards. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Thank you for leaving such a wonderful review. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope that we may welcome you back again at anytime in the future, you were a joy to host.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just wow! Secluded location within 3 mins drive of the centre of Ballater. One, if not the best place we have stayed at. The Host was really helpful and was able to accommodate an additional night when we were snowed in. The house was floor heated down stairs with an open fireplace in the seperate lounge with no shortage of wood. Heating was also great upstairs and the beds were the best we have slept on in our 3 weeks of travel so far in the UK. The Host has thought of everything, but for the coffee lovers out there, there is no coffee machine. The ‘Magical Cottage’ name pretty much sums up the place. We were fortunate to be there when it snowed, picture postcard stuff. Ballater itself was gorgeous, and we loved the Balmoral Bar as the staff and patrons were all so engaging, so too were the pooches that also frequented the Bar. The is a COOP supermarket within 50m of the Balmoral. We have some great memories to take home to Australia!
The cottage
One of the locals!
Outside our bedroom window
We just had to!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 9 January 2026
Hi John, Thank you for your amazing review. We are so pleased that you enjoyed the cottage and the local area. We do believe Glenmuick is quite special and are very appreciative when we receive a review like this one. We sincerely hope that we will see you all again one day. Brest wishes Carol
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mr.

Liked the rustic nature and the serenity of the surroundings. Shooting clay pigeons with David and Dan was awesome and great value. Highly recommend this activity. Fly fishing the River Dee with Ian Murray was also good fun...but the fish were elusive.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 June 2024
Sounds like you had a great time. David and Dan will be pleased that you enjoyed the clay pigeon shooting. I do hope that we will see you again - you need to have another go at those elusive fish !
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teri K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just beautiful

Recently renovated to a high standard. Comfortable and well equipped. Beautiful secluded forest setting (in a sunny patch) with wonderful walks from the house. Short drive or longer walk into Ballater. Wished we had stayed longer. One suggestion - please provide more table/drinks mats - we were worried about marking the lovely furniture.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Dear Teri Thank you for your wonderful review and feedback. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay and we hope that we will see you again at anytime as we would love to welcome you back, you were lovely guests to host.
Verified

8/10 Good

Penny O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Return to Royal Deeside!

We spent a wonderful week in this gorgeous property set in an idyllic setting in peaceful woodland, we were sad to leave and will return to this magical area of Scotland which holds many happy memories! We only have one comment, there is only one bedroom with a mirror, it would be great to have one in the other bedrooms! Thank you !
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
You were lovely guests to host a stay for and communication was very good. I am pleased you enjoyed your stay with us and hope that you will consider returning to visit us again, at anytime. Thank you for leaving the cottage so clean and tidy - it is always appreciated.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Oliver A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family break

Lovely few days, no issues.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2023
Lovely guests to host and the cottage was left beautifully clean and tidy. I would recommend to other hosts.

About the host

Hosted by Carol

Host profile image

Languages:

English

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