Kirklands Of Cromar, Aboyne

Kirklands of Cromar was built in 1840, and built by the architects John and William Smith. John Smith was responsible for the sensitive restoration of nearby Craigievar Castle, and William was commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to build the royal residence at Balmoral. Until recently, the house was a Church of Scotland manse (minister's house).

We purchased it in 1993, and have renovated the house and restored the gardens. The house has a large garden and has extensive views towards the Tomnaverie Stone Circle and the hills beyond. Just 150 yards from the centre of the village of Tarland, the house is only a little further from the 1st tee of the golf course and the tennis club.

We provide two bedrooms, one double- and one twin-bedded room. Each room is large enough to take an additional single bed or cot. There is one guest bathroom, which provides a shower, hand basin, and toilet, and the guests share this bathroom. The rooms are bright, airy and comfortably furnished in a simple, elegant style. Accommodation is on a Bed-and-Breakfast basis, and guests have a choice of traditional Scottish cooked breakfast or a light breakfast, and breakfast can be taken at any time (within reason).

Tarland is a small village (pop. 600) located in Mid Deeside, and is ideally located for exploring the "Royal Deeside" (on the river Dee), the Grampian mountains, and the attractions of the North-East of Scotland. Tarland is close to Aberdeen (30 miles), Ballater (12 miles), and Braemar (30 miles). Tarland is centered on a large square, and amenities and shops include: post office, bank, hotels (2), newsagent, grocer, butcher, general store, pharmacy, and hairdresser. The village serves the local farming community and the residents of Tarland. Tarland is famed for its pipers and fiddle players, and you may hear traditional Scottish music at informal "sessions" in the local pubs.