Mar House

Families and larger groups will find Mar House works well as a base for exploring the Cairngorms and central Highlands. The detached stone property has four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and can sleep up to eight people. The main living spaces include a drawing room with an open fire, useful whatever the season. Bed linen, towels and wifi are provided; there's plenty of parking on the grounds. One dog is welcome to join you.

The location offers both outdoor pursuits and quieter days out. Serious walkers and climbers have the Cairngorm mountains nearby; skiing at Glenshee is a 20-minute drive. Gentler alternatives include pony trekking at Balmoral Castle and golf at Braemar, just four miles away. Crathes Castle and its gardens lie 40 miles south near Banchory, with a children's playground among the topiary and yew hedges. Inverness, about an hour away, has Inverness Castle and the Kiltmaker Centre if you want to venture further. A shop and pub are three miles from the property. The river valley attracts red deer in the evening, and the whole area falls within the Cairngorm National Park's protected landscape. No smoking indoors.