Douneside House in Tarland: Photos and Reviews

The hotel's restaurant holds three AA rosettes and offers seasonal tasting menus served in a library setting. Lunch, afternoon tea, and table d'hote menus are available, with most dishes using local produce. Fruit and vegetables are grown organically in the hotel's kitchen garden.

Each of the 19 rooms is individually designed, with some offering private gardens and patio areas. Guests can also choose from self-contained apartments and holiday cottages, including Morven Cottage with a log burner. Dogs are welcome in the self-catering apartments and cottages.

The on-site Health Club has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and a fully-equipped gym. Fitness classes are available but should be booked in advance. Guests can also use a hot tub, yoga classes, and personal trainer sessions as part of the facilities.

The hotel offers tennis and mini-golf on site, plus complimentary access to the 9-hole Tarland Golf Club. Guests can play croquet, use the putting green, and explore fishing, hiking, and cycling routes directly from the grounds. The gardens are RHS partner gardens with a walled vegetable garden, arboretum, and cutting garden.

Douneside House is 50 km from Aberdeen in the village of Tarland, within the Cairngorms National Park. Craigievar Castle and Balmoral are short drives away. Stonehaven is 44 km from the property, and Aberdeen Airport is 40 km away.

Awards: AA Hotel of the Year (Scotland) 2017/18

Dining: Three AA rosettes, library tasting menus, organic kitchen garden

Wellness: Indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym, fitness classes

Activities: Tennis, mini-golf, complimentary 9-hole golf, croquet, fishing

Gardens: RHS partner gardens with walled vegetable and cutting gardens

Pet Policy: Dogs welcome in self-contained apartments and cottages