If you haven’t switched off from regular life in the short, scenic drive up the forest track to stunning Glencarnie sleeping 8, never fear: it won’t be much longer. As you wind through Scots pine woodland, breaks in the trees reveal glimpses of Cairngorm foothills and the lush farmland that lines the River Spey below. The lodge is an unexpected – and delightful – find, with its painted wood cladding, broad outdoor porch, exposed chunky beams and huge Georgian-style windows inspired by Louisiana plantation houses.
On entering the front door, you get an immediate sense of Glencarnie’s unique and eclectic decor. Hand painted Oriental furniture rubs shoulders with vintage pieces; modern art sits alongside family portraits. There’s a stag’s head mounted high on the wall, a walking stick collection, a 19th-century French conversation sofa, stairgates handmade from birch branches, and a secret games cupboard – can you find it? And books, everywhere, just waiting to be delved into.
The expansive double-storey living and dining space is flooded with light. Sliding Crittal doors mean the kitchen, with its Everhot range cooker and second dining table, can be part of this room or not, depending on your preferences. The ground-floor library is the perfect place for an afternoon nap by the wood burner – or some desk work, if you must.
Upstairs, which is just as light and bright, are the four bedrooms. One has an ensuite bathroom, while the other three share the remaining two bathrooms. The views across the valley from the front-facing windows are spectacular, and the rear windows look onto pine woodland, where red squirrels play and roe and red deer roam, undisturbed save for the occasional dog walker.
Outside, the south-facing garden bench is perfectly positioned to take in the unique views from Glencarnie. Sit here with your preferred choice of brew and plan the day’s adventures. You may hear the faint rumble of traffic in the strath below, or the toot-tooting of the steam train on Strathspey railway, but always birdsong and the relaxing rustling of wind through the trees.
Walkers and cyclists will enjoy outings from the doorstep along deserted forest tracks. These link the local villages of Carrbridge, Nethy Bridge, Dulnain Bridge and Boat of Garten.
Despite this lodge’s remote feel and lack of neighbouring properties, you can be in Boat of Garten’s village shop and pub in under ten minutes. Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey are also nearby, making for easy day trips in the Cairngorms National Park and beyond.
