These two stellar properties in Aberdeenshire, Scotland offer so many eclectic outdoor experiences that you’ll have difficulty choosing what activity to do first.
Once you’ve checked into The Sawmill at Glen Dye, a luxe accommodation that’s unusual (in all the best ways), you’ll be enwrapped in a vast sylvan environment. This self-catering property is one of soon-to-be eight different guest options snuggled on a private estate — it’s been in the family since 1845 — that’s blanketed with tens of thousands of acres of conifer woodland (Scotts pine, Sika spruce, larch, Norway spruce, lodgepole pine) and heather moorland. (Its former life was as an agricultural and forestry estate but it’s still a working farm.) The midnight black River Dye — dark from the soil’s peat content — courses beside The Sawmill at Glen Dye that consists of five unique structures, each with a completely different function and personality but, together, they’re designed to provide a comfortable, relaxing and bucolic escape that offers surprises galore. Here’s what you’ll find at The Sawmill at Glen Dye:
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Airstream
Think of the circa 1955 Airstream as the master bedroom. After all, the bed takes up half of the floor space. The Airstream, which had been completely stripped down, is designed with timber flooring. (The wood was sourced from the property’s trees.) The furnishings were carefully chosen. Owner Charlie Gladstone supports British craft, including furnishings and other accessories that are either bespoke or mostly purchased from small British companies. A pair of Charles Eames chairs are positioned beside a vintage dressing table. Atop is a vintage jeweler’s light.
But, why an Airstream, you may ask? According to Gladstone, the idea is that having structures on wheels shakes things up a bit. (It can be shifted to another spot in the same area.) Expect the unexpected here, something that will delightfully take you out of your comfort zone. And this is a thread that runs through The Sawmill of Glen Dye.
All the other facilities of this accommodation are within 10 to 20 yards away.
Cabin
Your stylish dining room, kitchen and living room is housed in a replica of a 100-year-old building that once served as a seed storage facility for the tree nursery, and a lounge space for the foresters and bobbin workers. The entire building is timber, constructed without using a single nail. You’ll find tweed cushions and blankets. (Like every estate in Scotland that commissions its own tweed, here Glen Dye’s tweed reflects the colors of the area’s flora and fauna.) Other blankets are Scottish tartan.
Given that Gladstone is an art and print collector, the walls are hung with a series of black and white photos of the 19th century Forth Rail Bridge, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Interestingly, these images were taken by Gladstone’s great, great grandfather, William Gladstone, who was prime minister at the time.)
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The lounge space is complete with a refurbished 1960s phonograph and plenty of curated vinyl by artists that include Max Richter, Bon Iver and Fleetwood Mac. You’ll also find a collection of books on nature and the great outdoors, including “The Family Guide to the Great Outdoors” that Gladstone wrote with his wife. According to Gladstone, “We’re trying to select music for the countryside and books that create a sense of place.” Gladstone has certainly succeeded in immersing the guest in the soul of this place.
Step out of the Cabin, and you’ll find a lean-to housing an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor shower — of course, there’s also a lovely indoor shower in the luxe washroom — and a hot tub.
Hot Tub
Constructed of aluminum, steel and cedar, your private hot tub was made in Sweden and, like everything here, it’s well built, good looking and functional. After you fill the tub and light the fire, just wait an hour and steaming water awaits for luxurious soaking.
After you’ve warmed up, why not jump into the shiver-worthy outdoor shower?
Outdoor Rain Shower
The barebones 18th century sawmill has a new life as an atmospheric shower. The water from a mill stream (diverted from the River Dye) once ran to the sawmill that was part of a bobbin factory, and also cut timber for planks and fence posts. Now, rather than powering a mill, the water running over it produces an invigorating outdoor rain shower.
Luxe Washroom Facilities
Step into this wood-panelled washroom and you’ll find a spacious layout with floor heating, boldly-hued walls, a Hollywood mirror and a contemporary ceramic vanity. Indulge in the environmentally-friendly shampoo, bodywash and other amenities by Nature’s Friend when you’re showering. (With the high-pressure shower head, you may not want to leave.)
Keeper’s Hut
This black painted hut on wheels is a mobile bedroom decked out with a king size bed. It takes its inspiration both from a shepherd’s hut and a Victorian shed that the property’s gamekeepers had used to protect woodland birds.
Activities and Experiences
Check-in — You’ll receive Gladstone’s field guide to Glen Dye that includes recommendations of where to hike; recipes you can make, including jam from the berries you foraged; and information on how to identify different bird species.
Climb Clachnaben, a 2,000-foot-high hill watching over Glen Dye and one that’s topped with a 100-foot-tall granite boulder.
Swim in the River Dye.
Hang Out At The Pub — Despite having to bring your own wine, beer or whiskey, this pub is designed to be your dream British pub. Set in a building dating from the late 1700s, the pub welcomes guests with a roaring log fire, family portraits hung on the walls as well as vintage furniture, a dart board and other items and ephemera from pubs all over Britain.
Book The Sauna — This custom, wood-heated sauna was manufactured in North Wales. Sign up for an hour or so of sauna time where you’ll luxuriate while gazing through the glass front at the serene woodlands.
Barbecue — Your private ceramic bbq — referred to as the Big Green Egg —allows you to efficiently either grill or smoke food.
Pick Your Veggies — If you crave a veggie omelette, you have the opportunity to stroll to the vegetable garden where you can pick your produce — such as tomatoes, kale and carrots — or the staff can do it for you. They can also gather eggs from their hens.
Even after a short stay, you’ll understand the meaning of the property’s tagline: “Home of the Brave.” This refers to guests having the opportunity to engage in myriad challenging and invigorating activities, such as swimming in a cold river, climbing a hill or chopping wood. Though you might not have ever seen yourself doing any of these, once you have, you may want to savor these experiences again and again.
The Fife Arms
The Fife Arms is a nexus for multi-sensory experiences, both inside and in the surrounding environs. This renovated, many gabled landmark is set in Braemar, a fairy tale village (near Balmoral Castle) renowned as the home of the annual Highland Games that the British royal family regularly attends.
Lay your head in any of the richly furnished, individually decorated guest rooms, or sip whiskey in the Flying Stag (the restored oak-hewn public bar) and you’ll immediately be transported to the mid-19th century when this Victorian edifice served as a coaching estate.
Yet, despite the appealing Victorian architecture and rooms fit for royalty, it’s the contemporary and avant-garde art that may be the most surprising. Art gallerists Iwan and Manuela Wirth recently gave this luxe hotel a contemporary twist, installing an impressive array of works from local and international artists. For example, a Louise Bourgeois spider is poised in a courtyard. Tiffin lunch boxes, Indian thali trays and other items are part of a whimsical Subouh Gupta-designed chandelier dangling over a dining table.
Beyond the stellar art, this sumptuous hotel is also an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. But, that’s actually not so surprising, given that The Fife Arms is surrounded by the rugged mountains and ancient woodlands of Cairngorms National Park. Here are 10 bespoke activities available for nature lovers. Each experience can be easily arranged with one of The Fife Arms’ ghillies, an old Scottish term referring to an attendant or a concierge, of sorts.
Murmuring Forest
Over the course of two-some hours, you’ll be involved in a deep exploration of the Caledonian pine forest: learning how forests grow; how the crossbill’s asymmetric beak allows it to easily strip pine cones for the seeds; and how squirrels can be distinguished as either right or left handed, depending on which direction they rotate a pine cone when they’re trying to access the seeds. In the spring, you’ll likely spy an array of other birds, such as coal tits, tree creepers or nut hatchers. You and other members of your family will also have the opportunity to construct a bird feeder to bring home with you.
A good idea might be signing up for the two-hour Murmuring Forest experience followed by two hours of the Time Travel adventure.
Time Travel
As you walk to the ruins of the abandoned village of Auchtavan, you’ll find out how the locals worked, farmed and constructed their homes in the remote glens. Only the remains of stone foundations can be found in this former village. You’ll also notice rowan trees that were typically planted to bring good fortune to the home.
Fishing
Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or a novice, you’ll want to book a fishing excursion right after breakfast. The Fife Arms arranges instruction for everyone, from beginners to advanced fishermen. Anyone can benefit from instruction, especially in Scotland where salmon fishing can be quite challenging. The River Dee is renowned for its salmon fishing from February to October; the River Ericht also has exceptional salmon fishing. Trout fishermen may want to consider the River Don, which is especially good for brown trout. If you want more of an adventure element, choose an excursion to one of the remote lochs that you can either hike to or have a Land Rover drop you off nearby. There you may hook trout or arctic char.
Foraging
On a two-hour foraging excursion with Natasha, you may find wild strawberries and raspberries that the area is famous for as well as rose hips, and maybe lady’s bedstraw, which has a sweet aroma. Of course, what you discover depends on the time of the year. But, no matter what you gather, you’ll be able to spend another two hours (if you choose to participate in Natasha’s workshop at The Fife Arms) concocting cocktails, condiments or even cosmetics with what you found.
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Cross-Country Skiing
If there’s good snow, you’ll want to head to Ballochbuie, a wild area for stellar backcountry skiing. Equipment rental (either cross country skis or snowshoes) is available in Braemar at the Mountain Sports Shop. (Ballochbuie is just two miles away.) There you’ll be skiing on untracked, unmarked trails in the woodlands of the Balmoral Estate. You’ll likely spot evidence of the British royal family, including picnic huts that the Queen has used; an immense granite pyramid that Queen Victoria build to commemorate the death of her husband, Prince Albert; and the Falls of Glas Allt with a bridge spanning it. (Queen Victoria was quite enamored with this nature scape and frequently took walking excursions where she sketched the scenery.)
Guided Hiking In Cairngorms National Park
One especially delightful hike for a picnic is a two- to three-hour loop trail to Keiloch Crag. You’ll walk past a field populated by fluffy ginger Highland cows. Then you’ll notice the grand Invercauld House that resembles Balmoral Castle. Nearby, the Fog House, which is essentially a posh Victorian bush shelter, makes for an atmospheric picnic venue. You can’t beat the quintessential Scottish views of Braemar and the River Dee. Of course, The Fife Arms will tailor the hike to your needs: it can be longer or much shorter. But, either way, your guide will offer plenty of historical context.
Cycling
The Fife Arms works with a guide who hires e-bikes, customizing the ride from a leisurely two-hour trek to a heart-pumping eight-hour adventure. (The e-bike lets you get farther and faster than with a traditional bicycle.) The options are many: you can cycle to a loch or a forest, pedal to remote areas in the mountains or on well-kept trails on estates. But, wherever you travel, it’ll be off-road. One excursion wanders through a Caledonian pine forest, then through Glen Derry up to the abandoned Derry Lodge, a former hunting lodge. You’ll find yourself in the middle of the wilderness, though this forest isn’t a dense one.
Guided Native Flora Walk
There’s a variety of different venues to choose from, but one of the best is in the Mar Forest Estate. On your walk, you’ll emerge on the moorland that’s coated with bell heather. In fact, in August, the landscape is so abundant with heather that it seems to be blanketed with purple-colored snow. The sweet aroma is intoxicating. You’ll also pass large bogs containing bog cotton that resembles white cotton balls.
Highland Picnic
Hop in a Land Rover that will take you 10-minutes away to a heather-strewn field along the River Dee. The location at the site of an abandoned village has all the ingredients for a romantic picnic, including a babbling brook and mountain views. The picnic basket contains a cornucopia of delights, such as a smoked salmon tasting platter or a salmon and whiskey pairing platter. If you opt for the latter, your choices may include hot smoked salmon, dunkeld smoked salmon (similar to gravlax) and smoked trout. The Fife Arms can arrange the tasting with a single whiskey that pairs well with all three fish items, or a different whiskey selected for each. (If you prefer, they could instead select several fine wines.) Afterward, you can either walk back — it takes over an hour — or they can pick you up in the Land Rover.
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Helicopter Sunrise Picnic Breakfast
Taking off from the Braemar helipad, the chopper brings you to a remote mountain area. There, the staff meets you in a Land Rover, driving you to a high ridge to watch the sunrise. Then, you’ll motor to Culardoch Shieling, a rustic wooden cottage, for an enormous breakfast. The chef and waiter will be at your disposal for one to two hours, if you choose, serving pastries, raw oysters, caviar and blinis, seafood platter with salmon and trout, and lobster benedict.
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