Cairngorms Holiday Cottages Above the River Avon
Balneden Steading is a group of three Cairngorms holiday cottages on the hillside above the River Avon, looking out over the Glenlivet Estate. The old farm steading has been rebuilt in its own stone and turned into The Mill, The Cattle Shed and The Grain Store, each with wide views across the hills and valleys of the Cairngorms National Park.
Every cottage has underfloor heating, a log-burning stove, a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable beds made up with organic cotton bedding. Pets are welcome in all three, and there's a drying room and secure storage for bikes, skis and walking gear.
You'll find us just off the Snow Roads, three miles north of Tomintoul, so walks, bike trails, whisky distilleries and dark skies are all close by.
Choose Your Cottage
The Mill
Our largest cottage sleeps 4 in two bedrooms, with double-height picture windows, a log-burning stove and decking that looks out over the glen.
The Cattle Shed
A cosy cottage for one or two, with a king-size bed, an accessible wet room, a log-burning stove and a patio with long views.
The Grain Store
Sleeps 4 in two bedrooms, with 4-metre gable windows framing the hills, a log-burning stove and a courtyard garden.
Self-Catering in the Cairngorms National Park
Balneden is a base for exploring the Cairngorms National Park in every season. Walks start at the door, across the Glenlivet Estate and the hills around the steading. Across the valley, the Bike Glenlivet mountain bike trails suit beginners and experienced riders alike, and in winter the Lecht Ski Centre is a short drive south.
Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands, has art, craft and whisky shops, and you're on the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail, with distillery tours, castles and the RSPB Osprey Centre all within reach. Royal Deeside, the Moray coast and Loch Ness all make good days out.
The Tomintoul and Glenlivet area is known for its dark skies, so on a clear night you can step outside and see the stars, and sometimes the northern lights. It's also one of the driest corners of Scotland, and midges are rare.
Ask Us About Your Stay
Have a question about the cottages, the area or bringing your dog? Send us a message or call 07733 001080 and we'll be happy to help.
To see live availability and book, use the booking page on our main website, balnedensteading.co.uk.
Pets welcome
Log-burning stoves
EV charging
Book Your Stay
Every booking is made through our main website, where you can see live availability for The Mill, The Cattle Shed and The Grain Store and book online.
Check-in is from 5pm. If you're driving, use Google Maps or the AA route planner rather than the postcode, which takes satnavs about a mile away. Our contact page has directions and winter travel tips.
Want to know what guests think? Read their reviews of Balneden Steading on TripAdvisor.
Questions About the Area
Planning a holiday in the Cairngorms? Here are the questions guests often ask.
Balneden Steading is three miles north of Tomintoul, just off the Snow Roads, on the hillside above the River Avon in the Glenlivet Estate, within the Cairngorms National Park.
Walking from the door, the Bike Glenlivet mountain bike trails, the Lecht Ski Centre in winter, Tomintoul's shops, and the distilleries of the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail. Royal Deeside, the Moray coast and Loch Ness make good days out.
The Tomintoul and Glenlivet area is known for its dark skies. On a clear, dark night you can see the stars from outside your cottage, and sometimes the northern lights.
Balneden is in one of the driest areas of Scotland, and midges are rarely a problem.
Snow gates on some main roads can close in deep winter, so call us for advice on routes. If the access track is icy and you don't have 4WD or winter tyres, park inside the gate and call us to collect you.