Stylish modern house in historic village of Braemar hits the market

A sleek and modern house within the charming village of Braemar has hit the market.
Roy Cottage is located on Kindrochit Drive in the Aberdeenshire village, which has deep links to royalty thanks to the nearby Balmoral Castle.
Braemar is a historic settlement but Roy Cottage is a newly built house designed to be net zero.
The house's excellent energy-efficiency is one of the highlights of the house along with its peaceful location and mountain views.
Roy Cottage is currently listed with Strutt & Parker for £795,000.
Inside the house, you immediately enter the open plan living room, kitchen and dining room.
This spacious room has a double-height vaulted ceiling and galleried landing above.
The sitting area has a woodburning stove and double-height arched windows, while French doors open out onto the patio area.
From the sitting room you can marvel at views west towards Ben Macdui.
The kitchen features sleek fitted units with plenty of storage, a breakfast bar and integrated appliances.
Opposite the kitchen is the guest toilet and useful utility room for further home storage and appliances.
Also on the ground floor is the third bedroom/family room with outdoor access via sliding doors.
There is also an office space for at-home working.
The first floor has two bedrooms, including the master bedroom, which has its own ensuite shower room and balcony overlooking the back garden.
In addition, there is a family shower room and large storage room on this floor.
The upstairs galleried landing has space for seating, offering elevated views out over the surrounding mountains.
Roy Cottage was built to be a net zero house with low running costs and has achieved a rare Band A EPC rating.
The house has 16 solar panels and a GivEnergy storage battery, with the electric underfloor heating running off the solar panels and an air source heat pump.
Roy Cottage sits within a peaceful residential area, fenced in by woodland.
At the front of the house there is a gravel parking area with space for two vehicles and access to the timber-framed shed, which could be used as a garage.
The front gardens have a lawn and a patio seating area for alfresco dining.
The back gardens are partially landscaped and include a further patio and gravel terracing.
Braemar is a popular destination for tourists due to its proximity to Balmoral Castle and the annual Braemar Gathering.

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Wales Online

10 hours ago

• Wales Online

This laid-back harbour town has dolphin views and lush seafood worth the drive

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Just down the road, their Ocean Lab visitor centre, near Fishguard and Goodwick station, lets you observe native sea creatures in a capture-and-release aquarium. ‌ If you fancy swapping your binoculars for a boat trip, there are regular wildlife-watching excursions along the coast, offering front-row seats to seabird colonies, playful dolphins, and dramatic cliffs. Between the marine life, epic views, and a small-town food scene that punches well above its weight, Fishguard isn't just a stop on the way to somewhere else. It's the destination. Here's how to make the most of a long weekend in Fishguard. Article continues below Wildlife watching trip There's so much wildlife here Fishguard, Wales, offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly marine life. According to Visit Pembrokeshire, common and bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted in Fishguard Bay, sometimes even popping into the harbour, much to the delight of residents and tourists. 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This local haunt is famous for its Sunday lunches and traditional Welsh cawl. Their homemade soups and generously filled sandwiches are excellent options if you're looking for something lighter. Mannings Ffres With a welcoming ambience and a creative menu, Mannings Ffres is always a good breakfast choice. This café-greengrocer hybrid is a firm favourite with locals and uses quality ingredients sourced from Pembrokeshire's best producers. ‌ Their new breakfast stack is loaded with sausage patty, crispy bacon, black pudding, flat mushroom, and a perfectly cooked Trebover egg. Don't forget to try their locally roasted coffee—it's strong, smooth, and the perfect way to wake up before a day of exploring. Mannings Ffres is always a good breakfast choice (Image: Independent Coffee Guide ) The Gourmet Pig ‌ If you're looking for a quick yet high-quality breakfast, head to The Gourmet Pig. This award-winning deli stocks artisan Welsh cheeses, fresh pastries and local produce. 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Traditional Indian kulfi, flavoured with mango or pistachio, is a perfect way to end the meal—refreshing, sweet, and indulgent. JT at the Abergwaun Hotel ‌ JT at the Abergwaun Hotel is a must-visit spot (Image: Portia Jones ) The restaurant at The Abergwaun Hotel offers a contemporary twist on European cuisine, celebrating the finest Welsh produce. Expect carefully crafted dishes that balance bold flavours with fresh, local ingredients. Typical starters include crispy teriyaki pork belly with a zingy yuzu ponzu dressing or sticky king prawn bao buns packed with marinated cucumber and a punchy lime dressing. ‌ Mains are just as impressive, expect perfectly cooked Welsh ribeye, fillet steak with house chips, a rich peppercorn sauce, or teriyaki-glazed salmon with fennel-roasted new potatoes and charred broccoli. Vegetarians will also be well-served, with dishes like the spring vegetable medley featuring crispy nut bites, halloumi, and a fresh herb sauce. Late night drinks and ents The Ship Inn ‌ If you're not ready to call it a night, head to The Ship Inn for a proper old-school pub experience. Tucked away in Lower Town, Fishguard, right by the mouth of the River Gwaun, The Ship Inn is a popular alehouse with roots stretching back to the late 18th century and is brimming with character, sea-faring tales, and a cracking selection of real ales. Inside, walls are decked with old maritime photos, maps, and quirky memorabilia, adding to its wonderfully unspoiled charm. It's a Free House and a proud feature in the Good Beer Guide, so you know you're in for a top-notch pint. ‌ Theatre Gwaun If you're looking for an offbeat venue, Theatre Gwaun is a community-run theatre and cinema that offers indie films, live performances, and occasional comedy nights. It's an unexpected but fantastic way to round off the evening. Stay at the Abergwaun Hotel The Abergwaun Hotel is a boutique bolthole where the food is the real star. (Image: The Abergwaun Hotel ) ‌ The Abergwaun Hotel is a boutique bolthole where the food is the real star. Once a derelict building that stood empty for a decade, local couple Dan and Lois, who both have a background in high-end hospitality, gave it a new lease on life in 2020. The result? A stylish, contemporary 4-star hotel with five luxury en-suite rooms, a two-bedroom apartment, and a restaurant that's putting Fishguard on the foodie map. ‌ The rooms are bright and airy, with simple, elegant décor that uses neutral tones and soft textures. They are where minimalism meets comfort—nothing too fussy, just a relaxing space to crash after a day of eating and epic coastal walks. One of the rooms is even dog-friendly, so your adventure-loving pup doesn't have to miss out. When the hotel appeared on Channel 4's Four in a Bed in 2024, the visiting contestants praised the spotless rooms and cloud-like beds. ‌ One guest flopped onto the mattress and declared, "It's like lying on a cloud", while another couple admitted: 'This is going to be hard to beat.' Dan and Lois, owners of the Abergwaun Hotel in Fishguard. The couple and the hotel featured in an episode of Four in a Bed. (Image: Channel 4 ) The Real Star: The Food ‌ While the rooms are lovely, the real reason to stay here is the food. The hotel's restaurant, JT at The Abergwaun, is run by co-owner Dan, a chef who turns local ingredients into bold, inventive dishes. Here you'll find European flavours with a Pembrokeshire twist, all served in a laid-back, intimate setting. The menu changes with the seasons, and the quality is consistently high, whether you opt for the full-tasting menu or simply stop by for a well-crafted cocktail. The restaurant has received a Good Food Award for Gastro Pubs (Gold Seal) and is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the best places to eat in this part of Wales. Article continues below If you need proof, look no further than the reactions on Four in a Bed. Confident in his breakfast skills, Dan served up a morning feast that left one guest saying: 'I've eaten in restaurants all over the world, and that's probably one of the best breakfasts I've ever had.' High praise, indeed.

Time Out

a day ago

• Time Out

This 100-year-old Bed-Stuy building is now home to a chic oyster bar

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Metro

a day ago

• Metro

Russian tech billionaire Pavel Durov claims to have over 100 children

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