Cottar House is ideal for that "staycation". It is a three-bedroom farm cottage at the heart of Breda Estate, a small Highland Estate with Mansion House (Breda House), farmland, commercial & amenity woodland, heather moor and the River Don which borders on, and runs the length of, the Estate. The 2000 acre Estate has been in the ownership of the McLean of Breda family for four generations.

Cottar House's ambient décor has been created by an Interior Designer with a feel for space & light. The house is functionally comfortable for the guest with a dishwasher, washer/dryer, Nespresso coffee machine and Freeview TV. There is a cot available for babies but guests must bring their own cot linen with them.

Subject to Social Distancing, guests will be greeted on arrival and shown around the property. Children are welcome but we cannot accommodate pets due to us having an allergy-free policy for the cottage. We also have a no smoking rule in Cottar House.

On the rare occasion that it will not be possible to meet them there will be a wall-mounted key lock box adjacent to the front door that the key will be left in. Guests will be given the combination for the key lock prior to arrival. As the Hosts live close to the Cottar House they are at hand to assist if required.

Cottar House's quiet location belies its accessibility for Breda Estate is just 3 hours drive from Edinburgh/Glasgow, 40 minutes from Aberdeen City & railway station, some 25 minutes from Aberdeen (Dyce) Airport. The Estate is 3 miles/5 km west of the country town of Alford and 20 minutes from the Cairngorm National Park. Alford itself has a full range of shops Transport Museum, Heritage Museum and Dry Ski Slope (open daily during the season) and boasts a life-size bronze statue of an Aberdeen Angus bull, a breed which originated in Alford c.1824.

Through sustainability management of both habitat and wildlife, the current Laird and his wife have encouraged diversity on Breda Estate. Schedule 1 and Schedule 5 protected species and songbirds abound. The opportunities to observe, be inspired or just be at one with the environment of the estate are as myriad as those provided by it. Vistas along the River Don, panoramas from heather-clad Breda Hill, intimate moments in the 'Narnia of the North' Breda's Caledonian Pine wood c/w 10'6" London lamppost or reflections in the designed landscapes of Breda Estate, all this is easily accessible to our guests for creative inspiration, contemplation or just enjoyment.

The recreational walker has footpaths at their doorstep and there is easy access to a maintained walk along the banks of the River Don.

Breda Estate is close to 'Royal Deeside', on both Visit Scotland routes for the Whisky Trail and the Castle Trail, in easy reach of the Lecht & Glenshee ski centres, with the Cairngorm Massif nearby for those who seek the challenges of the wilderness experience. The North Coast 500 route is accessible for those who wish to explore Scotland in a more leisurely manner!

Our holiday cottage can be booked through lorna@breda.co.uk - 07762 202 852. Rental charges are seasonal and start from £136 per day. Please also note that the cottage and the fishing can be booked together.