So much to see & do…

A stay at Smiddy Cottage offers you the perfect base to relax and recharge yet has easy and direct access to many fun activities, historical venues, iconic castles, nature trails. Dip in and out as you please or tailor make a week of mini- adventures with something to occupy everyone in the family during their stay.

There is excellent mountain biking, walking and pony trekking taking you into the local woods, with a direct route from Smiddy Cottage. Fetterosso Forest is highly rated on the MTB Circuit with three natural trails to choose from, Three Stones, Feterosso Forest and The Mongour.

Choose to visit Dunottar Castle steeped in history, this romantic and haunting ruin is a photographer’s paradise, a history lover’s dream and an iconic tourist destination for visitors the world over. An impregnable fortress that holds many rich secrets of Scotland’s colourful past. Stonehaven swimming pool offers the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in one of Scotland’s few remaining outdoor sea water swimming pools.  Huge Olympic-sized, 50m long pool and lido with clean sea water @ 29^oC – that’s 84^oF  and with Sheltered sun terraces and cafe, often warmer than the Med!

Take a stroll through the traditional small fishing port of Stonehaven harbour, this semi circular harbour was built in the 1600’s and destroyed twice by fierce storms before being rebuilt in the 1800’s. A popular place for a stroll, fish and chips by the pier and watch the boats bob while traditional music spills from the local hostelries. The Tolbooth museum displays Stonehaven’s heritage, linked to the days when it was originally a prison. View an original cell door, the Inverbervie stocks (one of the few seven hole stocks in the UK) and the Crank – a punishment device which was weighted down and had to be turned by prisoners.

Mineralwell Park has picnic tables and a playpark for youngsters being popular with dog walkers and with a circular path suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Look for the model car racing track and walk alongside the River Cowie with lots of wild flowers in summer, fireworks in November and a 5k run every Saturday morning. Seek out St Kiernan’s Well under the railway where the healing waters dripped through the rocks. At the west end of Mineral Well Road, immediately below the Glenury railway viaduct, is an elegant fountain of Peterhead granite into which once ran the water of Chalybeate Spring for many years famous for its health-giving properties. The fountain was built in 1860 on the site of the old holy well of St Kieran.

If you go down to Dunottar Woods aside from offering beautiful natural trails theis pretty treescape also reveals the magical Shell House. A tiny domed building with internal walls decorated and completely covered with different shells. Explore the deciduous woodlands of Dunnottar House and discover its intriguing history at the Shell House, Lady Kennedy’s Bath and Gallow’s Hill.

Riders will be delighted to learn that Smiddy Cottage has partnered up with neighbouring livery Swanley Livery and guests (subject to availability) can bring their mounts with them.

Leaping salmon never fails to impress and you can watch this at Falls of Feugh in season near where you can hear the roar of the Dee. Visit Drum Castle and Crathes Castle or take a day trip to Royal Deeside and Balmoral where the Royalty’s summer residence lies. The area captivated Queen Victoria with its characteristic Scottish blend of moody mountains, lofty crags, tumbling rivers and moors and forests. The rarefied Royal air still pervades the neat chocolate box towns and villages of Deeside, such as Ballater and Braemar famous for its Highland Gathering – one of Scotland’s best. Deeside offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, biking and wildlife watching, and many accommodation options.

Don’t forget to pack your golf clubs as there are a number of great courses to play. Cruden Bay Club, the acclaimed Trump International Course on the dunes, Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, Stonehaven Golf club and a great driving range at Aberdeen links offers plenty of golfing variety.

Aberdeen Beach also has an ice-rink and swimming pool with flumes and wave machines for the little ones with excellent high street shopping, cafes and dining out opportunities for the grownups.

A holiday at Smiddy Cottage can be as relaxed or adventurous as you choose with activities for all ages just a stone’s throw from your front door and perfect luxury hot tub stay.