Braemar Lodge Hotel

Braemar is the highest village of Royal Deeside, a stone-built place at the foot of the Cairngorms that is famous for the Braemar Gathering and for some of the coldest winter weather in Britain. The Braemar Lodge Hotel sits on its edge, a traditional Highland lodge with a bar, restaurant and comfortable rooms, and views toward the hills. It is a favourite with walkers, climbers and skiers, because the high Cairngorms, the Linn of Dee and the Glenshee ski area are all close. Staying here puts you in a wilder landscape than Ballater, with long glens, deer on the hillsides and the sense of being at the end of the road. In the evenings, a log fire and a hot meal are the standard rewards after a day outdoors.

Braemar's setting is dramatic. The village lies at around 340 metres, ringed by mountains, and the road south over the Cairnwell Pass reaches one of the highest points on a British main road. To the west, the road continues to Inverey and the Linn of Dee, a spectacular series of rock channels on the River Dee, and beyond there start the long walks into the heart of the Cairngorms, including the Lairig Ghru and the approaches to Ben Macdui from the south. In winter, Glenshee is a short drive away for skiing, though conditions vary.

The hotel is a good-value way to enjoy this landscape. Rooms are straightforward, with some offering hill views, and the bar and restaurant provide hearty food. Check room descriptions and ask about drying space if you plan to walk in wet weather. Staff are familiar with local conditions and can advise on routes, road closures and weather. Book ahead for the Braemar Gathering in early September, when the village is full, and for school holidays.

Braemar's attractions are compact. The castle, a few shops, an outdoor store, a bakery and a couple of pubs make up the village, and the surrounding hills provide everything else. Walkers can climb nearby hills such as Morrone, which has views over the village, or follow forest tracks. Wildlife is plentiful, with red deer, grouse and sometimes golden eagles, and the night sky can be dramatic on clear evenings.

Think of this hotel as a base for exploring the southern and eastern Cairngorms. It works well for travellers continuing between Deeside and Strathspey or Perthshire, and for people who prefer remote surroundings over a busy resort. Pair it with a visit to Balmoral, a drive over the Cairnwell and a day on the hill, and you will see a different, wilder face of the national park.