Keep Glen Dye A Secret

There is nothing better for the soul than a weekend in the countryside - and there is nowhere better than Glen Dye, a stunning 15,000 acre estate in Aberdeenshire, right on the banks of the River Dye. I spent a few days lost in Glen Dye’s fabled wilderness in May last year, taking in the beauty of rural Aberdeenshire. The weather was particularly dreich (a very useful Scottish word to describe grey, wet, rather miserable weather!) but Glen Dye’s warm welcome more than made up for it.

Glen Dye is made up of a small but perfectly formed series of holiday cottages, most of which have wood-fired hot tubs and luxury BBQs. They even have a fully renovated 1950s Airstream! The accommodation is cosy and comfortable and the decor is pitch-perfect - cheery, bright, and just the right amount of eclectic. The estate is watched over by the tor of Clachnaben and in the distance you can make out the Cairn o Mount mountain pass. The scenery is wild and beautiful and the spot couldn’t be more perfect for an unplugged weekend in the wilderness.

My stay with Glen Dye was complimentary— but as always all content and opinions are my own.

The Hay Loft

My home for the weekend was the Hay Loft, a gorgeous (you guessed it) former hay loft renovated by Young Architects of the Year NORD in 2012. It was the perfect weekend hideaway and was more than comfortable enough for a much longer stay. The pièce de résistance is the stunning sitting room window that looks out across the nearby forest. There’s a double bedroom with a private bathroom downstairs while the main bedroom and living area are upstairs (making the most of that stunning view!) We made full use of the BBQ and there’s also a wood-fired sauna available too.

As a guest at Glen Dye you have full access to the estate, including homegrown seasonal vegetables from their garden and freshly-laid eggs from the Glen Dye hens. You’re also able to take advantage of the nearby walks, cycle trails, wild swimming spots and, of course, the Glen Dye Arms, their very own BYOB pub, complete with log fire, wooden bar, and record player. Banchory, Aboyne, Stonehaven, Dunnottar Castle, Balmoral, Braemar and Ballater are all within easy reach of the estate so you’ll never be short of adventure.

I really couldn’t recommend Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages more - in fact, I’m already planning a return in the autumn. My autumnal loving soul needs to see these beautiful wild lands in all their autumnal splendour. If you’re thinking about booking a stay, just do it. You won’t regret it. But just remember… keep Glen Dye a secret.