Darroch Learg

Grand living in Royal Deeside

From its vantage point high above Ballater, you can soak up views across royal Deeside from the windows of baronial Darroch Learg – a handsome turreted Victorian mansion.

Know It All

Hit the Spot
High above the Highland town of Ballater.

Come here for...
● Feeling royal by association (Balmoral's close by). ● Polished Highland plush. ● The chance to land a salmon or bag some pheasants.

Amenities
There's a grand drawing room for sipping a local dram, and an excellent conservatory restaurant. 

Good to know
This is Scotland's prime huntin', shootin', fishin' country.

Bedtime...

Bedrooms 
12 rooms and suites

Special features
Two rooms have four-posters and all are very comfortably appointed. There's wi-fi internet downstairs. Oakhill is a separate house next door with a further five bedrooms – tailor made for private parties.

Pillow Talk
Master rooms are the plushest. Try the four-poster and Dee Valley views of Invercauld, or the romantic charms of Lochnagar.

Eat & Drink

Dining in
The restaurant – candlelit at night – opens out into a sunny conservatory with modern art and linen-dressed tables, capturing the evening sun on long summer nights. Come here for modern Scottish cooking: chef David Mutter's menus include a wood pigeon, shallot and foie gras pie, Royal Deeside venison served with summer greens, goat's cheese and gnocchi, and warm white and dark chocolate cake with crème fraiche.

Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9.30am (weekdays) and 10am (Sundays). Try local smoked haddock or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.

Room service
Available morning and evening.

Activities

See & Do
You're within reach of Balmoral Castle, nine Scottish National Trust properties, walking and cycling in the Cairngorms national park, and a choice of whisky distilleries. There's an 18-hole golf course in Ballater and excellent fishing on the River Dee.

Diary Dates
May
Join in Royal Deeside walking week. There's a programme catering for all grades of walkers, from gentle strollers to gung-ho  "Munro-baggers."

August
Ballater's Victoria Week promises that "we shall be amused."