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Toberaie is a traditional detached highland cottage located in a secluded position not far from the village of Nethy Bridge, in the Cairngorm National Park. The property, located on the Dorback Sporting Estate, enjoys unrivalled panoramic views of the Cairngorm Mountains and Strathspey. Its position makes it an ideal base from which to explore the National Park further.
On entering the property, a central hallway leads to the lounge at one end and the dining room at the other, both rooms benefit from having wood-burning stoves. In the dining room, this is housed in the original fireplace, a particularly striking feature. Off the dining room, the small kitchen can be found, traditional in style, but having all the usual kitchen appliances that you would expect. From here, access can be obtained to the garden.
The lounge is tastefully furnished and features a wood-burning stove, making it an inviting space to sit and relax in after a day of exploring. From the hall, the stairs lead upstairs to the three bedrooms: a master with a double, and two others, both with twin beds. The bedrooms feature traditional corniced ceilings, and the front ones enjoy amazing views of the Braes of Abernethy. A bathroom on the ground floor completes the facilities.
The National Park has something for everybody, no matter what your outdoor pursuit. It offers extreme sports, sailing areas, castles, and many areas for walking, mountain biking, and climbing. It is also home to a diverse range of rare wildlife and one of the largest tracts of woodland in the UK. A couple of particularly popular choices for days out are the Cairngorm Mountain Railway or the activities at Rothiemurchus Estate near Aviemore. For bird watching, the RSPB reserve is located eight miles away at Loch Garten, where the Ospreys breed, and for rail enthusiasts, step back in time and enjoy a trip on the Strathspey Railway that runs from Broomhill Station to Aviemore.
Further afield, the whisky country of Strathspey, famous as the home of many of Scotland’s top distilleries, can be found. Take the Whisky Trail and visit six of the region's distilleries and the Speyside Cooperage, where you can actually see the barrels being made. Guided tours are available, and many offer the chance to sample Scotland’s “Water of Life”. This makes for a memorable day out for the whole family, just ensure that you don't have to do the driving.
Access to the Property in Winter Months
Toberaie is a superb place for a Wilderness Cottage holiday throughout the year. However, situated at 1200 feet above sea level, snow conditions in winter can be extreme. Access to the property is sometimes convenient only for visitors in a 4x4 type of vehicle. If visiting in winter, please bear in mind that the track up to the house has been known to become inaccessible for ordinary vehicles.
Facilities - Ground Floor
Facilities - Upstairs
Included in the rent
Other Facilities
Good Housekeeping Deposit
A Good Housekeeping Deposit of £75.00 is required at this property.
Access to the Property in Winter Months
Toberaie is a superb place for a Wilderness Cottage holiday throughout the year. However, situated at 1200 feet above sea level, snow conditions in winter can be extreme. Access to the property is sometimes convenient only for visitors in a 4 x 4 type of vehicle. If visiting in winter, please bear in mind that the track up to the house has been known to become inaccessible for ordinary vehicles.
Best Features
STL Licence Application no - 23/04619/CLE EPC Rating - Pending
Guests rate Toberaie: Excellent from 34 reviews About Reviews
Enjoyed a great week in Toberaie. A quiet & peaceful location with stunning views towards Cairngorm Mountain. Warn with sunshine & showers, nothing that stopped play.
A real treat to see Roe deer every morning & numerous species of bird seen or heard.
Able to put our boots on & walk from the door.
Warm, comfy & well equipped. Had everything we needed to support our outdoor activities.
Good local shops & eateries close by in Nethy Bridge & Boat of Garten.
Would love to stay again.
Beautiful cottage in a stunning location. Everything you needed, spotlessly clean. The one downside was the fact that the sofa and chairs in the living room were uncomfortable, in the evenings we retired early, the beds were very comfy.
I would like to start with a bit of background about us the reviewer, for the last 18 years we have had a week in Scotland in March staying in cottages form the west of the highlands, mid Scotland and over to the East coast, consequently we have a lot of experience staying in these places so we know what to expect.
1. The views.
This is without doubt the best views we have seen from a cottage and with a good set of binoculars you can see the snow caped Ptarmigan Restaurant at the ski resort on the side of the cairngorms mountain range which is 10 miles as the crow flies.
2. Location .
Amazingly quiet location due to the dead end road. You only see work parties or local home owners passing by at the bottom of the drive now and then. No ambient light so the night skies are just breath-taking.
This is a deer stalking area with a zeroing range about 500m away so you may hear rifle fire at some point but it wont last long (not that it bothered us one bit) you sit at about 380m above sea level and your exposed to the elements so in stormy conditions you are going to feel the full force so keep your fingers crossed for good weather.
3. Wildlife
You will see Roe deer in the garden nearly every night. Keep and eye on the small wood to the left as you go up the drive towards the cottage and the open fields to the right.
We could also see the resident common buzzard in the trees and shrubs near the pond trying to find dinner
4. Local area
Great location, it takes about 25 minutes to drive to Aviemore there are so many walks and activities for you to do in just a short drive and a few from the door step. The location is close enough to be entertained near Rothiemurchus and far enough away to be on your own. Perfect.
5. Inside the cottage upstairs
Comfy beds and the double has an electric blanket, no issues upstairs, All good.
6. Ground floor
The most disappointing part of the stay. I don't mind rustic old fashion and well worn, In fact we like that, but this was a very uncomfortable the living room, the fire does not work and from past reviews hasn't for a very long time, we were informed that this was due to be replaced or fixed the week after we left. The furniture in the living room is not comfy, very small chairs very low to the ground and seriously needs replacing. If you want to chill out in the living room with the fire on, feet up and catch up on the news after a days walking your not going to be able to do that as even the TV needs you to log in with your own account to watch it and if you don't know your passwords you are not watching TV either. I certainly could not get this to work... it could just be me!
Kitchen/ Dining Room.
The kitchen is functionable for sure you have everything you need, old tired but everything works just fine, we did not have a problem with this.
The dining room fire is great and chucks out the heat. Note you are told that wood is supplied, yes it is but be warned, what you see in the pictures is what you get and no more logs are available. It wont last long so in the colder months you will need to buy more. The website should state "some logs are supplied" there is no log shed for you to restock.
Furniture in the dining room is rickety at best and again most of it needs replacing or fixing. Fortunately, we had brought two camping chairs with us and we had to sit on them for the best comfort
7. End on a high
Toberaie could have easily taken the top cottage we have stayed in over the years but was seriously let down by the ground floor comfort factor, it just wasn't comfortable for us at all.
If they get rid and replace the living room furniture, fix repair the dining room furniture, fix or replace the fire in the living room it would be so much better easily being one of the best. what a shame.
Wilderness Cottages Replied...
Thank you for taking the time to review and send us your feedback on Toberaie. We thank you for your comments on the location and we are delighted that your got to experience the wildlife first hand. We are liaising with the owners regarding your comments about the downstairs of the cottage and we are sorry to learn of your disappointment. The cottage furniture has undergone a full inspection; The owners have asked us to convey their sincere apologises that the furnishings tainted your experience during your stay and arrangements are being made for the dining chairs to be replaced immediately. In addition, modifications are being made to the suite in the lounge area to raise their height with these changes we trust this will provide the comfort you were after and just as we would have hoped.
Fabulous week, in an amazing house that had everything we needed for a family Christmas, there was even a decorated tree put up for us. After a long day in the hills we returned to lovely log fires and deep hot baths, hope to return. Also a brilliant place for dogs and free from noise and traffic.
What an amazing holiday we have had. Peace, outstanding beauty and wildlife. Our 8 year old boy wanted to live there FOREVER and our dog lived his best life.
We will definitely be returning!
We stayed at Toberaie during a very mild and clear week at the end of October. The weather meant we made the most of the national park and further afield, and enjoyed magnificent sun sets from the cottage most days - the cottage is in the most amazing location for views over the Cairngorm. The cottage is very charming as it is quite rustic and v traditional, more spacious than we expected. The stove in dining room works well, we didn't use the other one. The electric heaters warm rooms up quickly but there isn't any central heating. Loads of hot water using immersion. The only improvements would be more comfortable seating options and I would suggest supplying extra wool blankets for beds as it was cool overnight so mid-winter they would definitely be needed - we used blankets we had brought ourselves - surprising there aren't any wool blankets in wardrobes but Covid may explain that as I know lots of places had to clear out soft furnishings. Many thanks for a wonderful week, we will definitely be back.
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