Candacraig
9.3Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Exclusive Use
You can have the venue to yourself, sleeps 20 guests in 12 rooms.
Enquire
17th-century exclusive-use retreat, steeped in history
Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, close to Queen’s estate at Balmoral and part of the Cairngorms National Park, 17th-century Candacraig is an inspiring, exclusive-use retreat, steeped in history.
Guests have private use of the house, including 12 bedrooms sleeping up to 20 people. Staff will be on-hand 24 hours per day, including House Manager and Butler, if required.
Whether you spend your time indulging in the luxurious comforts of the house or exploring the lush grounds, serene and stunning Candacraig is sure to captivate you!
Stay
This breath-taking Baronial mansion will be exclusively yours throughout the duration of your stay.
The house sleeps up to 20 guests in 12 individually-styled bedrooms. Each guest room has a private bathroom; 10 ensuites and 2 with exclusive use of an adjacent bathroom.
The impressive formal Dining Room seats 24 guests for dinner, with the comfortable Drawing Room (with large open fireplace) accommodating 24 guests for a buffet or up to 50 guests for drinks reception.
The Games Room incorporates a full-size snooker table.
Guests’ favourite, the Whisky Library, offers a leading selection of single malts collected over many years.
Candacraig’s resident House Manager will be on hand to assist throughout your stay, along with a full housekeeping and catering staff. A butler service for larger events adds a classic touch. Candacraig's private chef creates the finest cuisine, sourced from the freshest ingredients from across Scotland.
Considerable investment has recently been made to the interior of the property, including a wood-fired biomass heating system, magnificent chef’s kitchen, improved connectivity and upgraded bathrooms with powerful state-of-the-art showers.
The Estate
The mansion is surrounded by 18 acres of pristine private gardens, lawns and woodland.
Highlights include a large Victorian walled garden with beautiful flowers and mature trees, a lochan fed by the celebrated River Don and an outdoor firepit and barbeque area, a very special spot to enjoy a drink by the fire.
Exploring the lavish grounds you will find one magical setting after another – exclusively yours to enjoy during your stay!
Activities
For an immersive Scottish Highlands experience, the in-house events team can assist in arranging a wonderful array of activities on and close to the estate, along with recommending places and attractions to visit locally.
Some suggestions include:
- Onsite laser clay shooting
- Archery
- Falconry display
- Highland games on the lawn
- Over 50 golf courses within easy reach
- Whisky or gin tasting from an experienced tutor
- Whisky or gin distillery tours
- Fishing with a local ghillie
- Cycling and mountain biking, including e-bikes
- Castle and history tours
- Balmoral Castle and grounds visit (from April to July)
- Victorian walled-garden tour with the gardeners
- Massage and beauty treatments
- 4x4 off-road safari
- Personal photographer
- Hikes and hill-walks into the national park
- Foraging
- Horse riding
- Farm tours to experience majestic, tame Highland cattle up close
- Bespoke tartan or tweed design consultation
- Cookery classes with local produce and whisky pairing
History
The Lairdship of Candacraig was first granted to the Anderson family in 1620 and the estate remained with that family for 10 generations until it was sold in 1866 to Sir Charles Forbes.
In the 19th century, Candacraig was enlarged by architect ‘Tudor Johnny’ Smith, who also worked on Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s favourite holiday home.
The current owners, Lynne & Marc Lino, bought the property in 2014 from Sir Billy Connolly, a famous Scottish comedian and actor. Prior to this, Candacraig was owned by the iconic founders of the Body Shop chain, Anita and Gordon Roddick.
Prices
Prices Include
- Fully staffed, including overnight butler.
- Full concierge services, including transport, itinerary and activity planning.
- Tea, coffee, bottled water, soft drinks, and fresh fruit.
- Complimentary selection of pre/post dinner drinks in the Whisky Library.
- Flowers in all public rooms and throughout the house.
Exclusive Hire
Candacraig is one of Scotland's finest exclusive-use venues. Experience incredible Highland hospitality set amongst magnificent, rugged landscapes.
12 bedrooms and 12 private bath and shower rooms sleeping up to 20 guests, from £10,000 per night, including VAT. Minimum 2-night stay.
A personal chef will provide a bespoke menu plan using only the best ingredients available from the abundant Scottish larder; locally sourced whenever possible. All menus are tailored to each client and can include full Scottish breakfast, light lunch, afternoon tea or picnic on the hill, family style or formal dinner from £150 per person per day. A fine wine and champagne list is available by pre-order only or guests can arrange their own with no corkage fee.
Candacraig’s team will arrange a wonderful array of activities on, and close to the Estate, along with places to visit and local attractions to offer an immersive Scottish Highland experience.
Location
Candacraig is surrounded by the rugged, breath-taking Highland beauty of the Cairngorms National Park and offers easy access to some of Scotland’s most remarkable sights and experiences.
To the west lies the Queen's Highland retreat at Balmoral, while the stunning route north leads to the promise of whisky in the picturesque Spey Valley. The local area also boasts access to some of the finest fishing, golf and outdoor pursuits in Scotland.
Candacraig is just an hour from Aberdeen Airport and the city’s railway station and less than 3 hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Reviews
9.3