Guests say
The Larches, set in the stunning Northern Highlands, offers a picturesque retreat with ample activities nearby. Guests appreciate the well-stocked kitchen, spacious garden, and the cosy charm of the property. While some maintenance issues are noted, the unique character and beautiful location are consistently praised.
Cleanliness has been a concern for some guests, with reports of unclean conditions upon arrival, including blood-stained bedding and unwashed utensils. However, one review mentions the property being 'absolutely spotless', indicating inconsistency in this area.
The location is highly praised for its beauty and the variety of activities available, such as mountain climbing, paddleboarding, and wildlife parks. The serene setting and proximity to nature contribute to a positive experience.
Comfort is generally well-regarded, with guests enjoying the property's charm and character. However, some concerns about the suitability of bunk beds for adults and low sofas for older guests slightly detract from the overall comfort.
Facilities are appreciated, especially the well-equipped kitchen and the conservatory's double-sided fire. Maintenance issues, such as a wobbly toilet, faulty plugs, and a broken spindle on the stairs, have been flagged, suggesting room for improvement.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the property owner or rental company. Therefore, this category cannot be scored.
About this property
Kingussie 1.9 miles. Perched in the small village of Lynchat near Kingussie, Highland, is this stunning detached Victorian villa, The Larches. Enjoying a superb location in the Cairngorms National Park, with walking paths and outdoor pursuits available right from your front door and views out towards the Cairngorm Mountain ranges, The Larches is a fantastic pet-friendly choice for a group or family of ten. The property benefits from off-road parking for four, and a large wrap around garden with lawn, patio and furniture, perfect for alfresco dining with a view! Step inside to discover a fully-equipped kitchen where you can conjure up your best dishes, ready to savour at the breakfast table or in the dining room at the table for ten as you recount the day's adventures. After dinner, enjoy evening drinks in the conservatory which benefits from the warmth of the double-sided stove, or head through to the sitting room, complete with plush seating, a woodburning stove, and a TV, ideal for relaxing evenings with loved ones after an adventure-filled day. Completing the ground-floor is a well-appointed shower room where you can freshen up after exploring your exceptional surroundings, along with a spacious king-size bedroom, well-suited to those with limited mobility. Upstairs, four more beautifully presented bedrooms await, along with a sleek bathroom for indulgent soaks with your favourite book. Your local amenities can be found in nearby Kingussie, where you can treat your loved ones to a delicious meal at The Cross and Café Bistro, ordering fresh fish and chips from the takeaway, stocking up on essentials at the convenience store, embark on a pony trek with Highland Horse Fun, test out your swing at the excellent Kingussie Golf Club, or head to the outskirts where you can explore the RSPB Insh Marshes and sample local ales at the Speyside Distillery. Next stop is Newtonmore, where you can wander the Clan Macpherson and Highland Folk Museum, hike with the Cairngorm Alpacas, spend an afternoon at the Wildcat Centre, and sample the delights of Newtonmore Grill. Continue onto Aviemore, where you can dine at the Scottish Steakhouse, The Balavoulin, and Cheese and Tomatin, spot the local wildlife at Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, get your skates on at the Aviemore Ice Rink, or embark on a Highland Wildlife and Birdwatch Safari. All this and more awaits at The Larches. EPC Rating: Band E
Tourists flock to Kingussie all year because of its location in the stunning Cairngorms National Park. The town is home to one of the most stunning golf courses in all of Scotland and also boasts a wide variety of high-quality hotels, shops, and restaurants. During the summer, you can visit the Highland Folk Museum, located only 2 miles from Kingussie, and see demonstrations of traditional crafts being done in the'streets' of the museum's mock-village grounds. Located only 12 miles south of Aviemore, it rivals the Lecht as a popular winter destination for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Travel to Dalwhinnie, Scotland's highest distillery, to learn about the process of manufacturing whisky (and buy a bottle), or check out the Highland Wildlife Park to see wolves in their natural habitat and a wide variety of Highland animals up close. An ideal base from which to explore the Central Highlands, as many of the region's best-known sights are within easy driving distance.
Accommodation
Five bedrooms: 2 x king-size, 1 x ground-floor king-size, 1 x double, 1 x child's bunk.
Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Bathroom with bath, handheld shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Dining room.
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Conservatory with double-sided woodburning stove
Oil central heating.
Electric oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher.
TV, WiFi.
Fuel, power and starter pack for woodburning stove included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for 4 cars.
Large garden with lawn, patio and furniture.
One well-behaved pet welcome with an additional charge of £30.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 1.8 miles, pub 2 miles.
Please note: minimum night stay of 3 nights.
Please note: property only accepts a Friday changeover.
Please note: only seven night bookings are accepted between July and September, Christmas, New Years and all half-term holidays.
Reviews (9)
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Jane
Our stay at the house was fantastic x we had the most amazing time x The house is a few minutes drive from shops, cafes etc and 3 minutes from the wildlife park x everything you need is in the house and there is an amazing large garden x our dog loved it x we will definitely return x thank you it was fabulous
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David
The kids 3 kids all had a great time they loved the garden the space and the toys left for them to play with especially the little kitchen. There are a few maintenance issues that require attention the plugs in sinks are all faulty and don't come out the chain is missing of the bath plug which is equally hard to come out. The broken spindle on the stairs is a hazard for the young children going up and down stairs. The sofas and bed downstairs are all too low and not suitable for older members of group who couldn't get up and down from them the sofas are due to age and wear but the downstairs bed is a very low type which doesn't make it ideal as it is perfect for people stating in groups to locate those who can't use the stairs. The kitchen was very well equipped had everything we could possibly need and more. However again first impressions was the loose door falling off on the most used cupboard for the plates and bowls etc. We were very unlucky with the weather however it did not ruin our stay and the house property was very good overall the lack of a TV expect the small one in living room was good for encouraging the family to sit around the large dining table and in the conservatory which is where we spent most of our time in the house with the double sided fire keeping everyone warm and relaxing to watch. The location is quiet and away from main roads to really relax but yet only a five minute drive from a kingussie coop if odds and ends needed and ideally placed to explore Aviemore and the surrounding area. We would definetly consider staying again and looking at other sykes cottages properties
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Donna
My only complaint would be the size of the fridge. With having 10 of is staying it made it difficult to have a lot of fresh food stored in the fridge and we had to go shopping most days but apart from that everything was great. I would definitely recommend this house for friends and family if they wanted to book somewhere. We had a family trip for my mums 70th birthday and had family from Glasgow, Ireland, Dundee and the Orkney Islands inuding 2 children and a dog. The garden was very spacious and had a tree house and Swing which the kids loved.