Rooms

There are 6 cottages sleeping from 2 to 9 people. Handsome Dell Lodge (sleeps 8-9) has 4 bedrooms. Two are on the first floor - think floor-length velvet drapes, wooden shutters, brass beds with good linen, a vintage rocking chair and mid-century sofa, fireplaces and dreamy views over sheep-pricked fields to the mountains; two are in the eaves. The staircase is lined with ancient keys, the bathroom has a painted floor and romantic clawfoot tub, the wet room sleek and timber-lined. We loved curling up in front of the fire on the retro leather sofas listening to Billie Holiday on the record player.

Moving down in size, West Dell (sleeps 6-7), with its axe-cut beams, was an old crofter's cottage. South Dell (sleeps 6) was once the lodge's original kitchen; it comes with its own piano. Both of these have a master double on the ground floor, and two cosy twin bedrooms in the eaves: ample for a family. East Dell (sleeps 4-5) is more secluded, with a pretty garden and a 'sit-ootery': a bench beneath an ancient oak. It would suit a couple or smaller family.

For a cute couple's hideaway, Dell Cottage and Little Dell - or the 'Packham Suite' as it's been nicknamed since Springwatch's Chris Packham bedded down here - are romantic 1-bedroom cottages with private gardens and cosy woodburners to cuddle up in front of.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

The hub of Dell Lodge is the lovely kitchen-diner: think soaring rafters, an old carpenter's bench (Grandpa John was an expert craftsman), long table and artfully mismatched chairs - but modern where it counts (fancy range cooker and Smeg fridge). In the cottages, smart new kitchens come with vintage Ercol tables and chairs. Utensils and pans are in good order. Tea, coffee, sugar, olive oil, salt & pepper are provided; breakfast items can be sourced from the Dell Grocer and the mountain cafe.

The Dell Grocer is their range of curated catering options from hampers of local artisan produce to homemade dishes to throw in the oven along with DIY meal kits and plenty of veggie options. We tucked into a heavenly Dell venison, juniper and gremolata pie and whipped up a smoked salmon and leek risotto following the fool-proof instructions. To wash it all down there's a cellar list featuring hand-picked wines, beers from artisan Black Isle Brewery, and Inshriach gin from their friend Walter down the road.

In the village (a 15-minute walk), the Balliefurth Farm Shop stocks beef and lamb from their own farm, venison from nearby estates, and pies and sausages made on site. There's pub grub at Nethy Bridge Hotel and light lunches at Nethy House café too.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Dinner by arrangement
• Dishwasher
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Lunch by arrangement
• Oven
• Toaster
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• There are 3 acres of communal gardens, hammocks to snooze in, picnics to plan, forest trails to tramp and riverside ambles to the village. Paddle or play Poohsticks in the River Nethy
  
• Cycle through the forest to Loch Garten – a good wild swimming and stone skimming spot; bikes can be hired and delivered
  
• The Dell has teamed up with local Instinct Guides for Springwatch-style wildlife safaris by 4x4, as well as guided nature walks from your door, and wilderness skills (don't you want to learn how to throw a tomahawk, or cook venison on an open fire?)
  
• For the DIY version, head to famed RSPB reserve at Loch Garten where breeding ospreys nest each spring
  
• Hop aboard the Strathspey Steam Railway for an old-fashioned journey to outdoors capital, Aviemore
  
• The Malt Whisky Trail is a bucolic route through Speyside's rolling hills linking eight distilleries (for tours and tastings) and the Speyside Cooperage

  Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Birdwatching
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Historical sites
  • Mountain biking
  • Plantlife / flora
  • Private guided tours
  • Snowsports
  • Swimming

Kids

The Dell is all about old-school adventure. There are 3 acres of gardens to explore, a Faery Wood, hammocks, and a zip line through the trees. It's the kind of place where kids can get mucky, roam free, climb trees and toast marshmallows over the fire. There's also a back-to-nature kids club (for children age 5-11), operational all year on demand.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All of the cottages (bar one-bed romantic bolthole Little Dell) are geared towards families, with twin beds in the eaves.

Distances:

• Airport: 40 mins (Inverness)
• Hospital: 40 mins (Inverness)
• Shops: 5 mins (Nethy Bridge)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Dell is a few minutes down the lane from the sleepy little village of Nethy Bridge on the edge of Abernethy Forest in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. It's a secluded spot surrounded by farmland and forest.

By Air: Inverness airport is an hour's drive north with flights from around the UK.

By Train: Aviemore station is 20 minutes away. The Caledonian Sleeper from London stops here.

By Car: It's easiest to arrive by car, and there's plenty of parking. Edinburgh and Glasgow are a 3-hour drive south; Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is 1 hour north.

Detailed directions will be sent to you once you book through i-escape.