Mill of Dess Lodge
20
Sleeps 20 / £POA
Mill of Dess lodge is a stylish farm steading conversion on the banks of the north side of the river Dee with fantastic salmon fishing and uninterrupted views over the valley to the Forest of Birse.
The beat at Lower Dess is 2.25 miles long and includes 16 named pools many of which are against a woodland backdrop. The river bank is well maintained and there are a number of gabions and croys which have been carefully sited to improve the fishing. The beat is fishable at all heights and most of the pools can be covered without wading. This is a four rod beat.
The Lower Dess beat provides sufficient access to pools for fishing from the bank, enabling fishing of pools throughout the whole season. Fishermen and their guests can avail themselves of either or both of the fishing huts on the estate. The award-winning hut at Upper Dess was built in 1998 and provides a feature fireplace, an outside terrace, kitchen and cloakroom.
A truly luxurious 10 double bedroom, 10 en-suite bathroom lodge which is fully staffed. The lodge is available on a full catered basis (dinner, bed & breakfast) using, where possible, the finest locally sources Aberdeenshire produce. Guests are invited to supply their own alcohol. Finished to the highest standards each bedroom is individually designed and named after a pool on the Lower Dess fishing beats of the River Dee.
Even the dogs are provided for with a separate kennel block.
Accommodation
Mill of Dess Lodge is a stylish farm steading conversion that has 10 luxurious bedrooms plus 10 ensuite bathrooms.
Accommodation at the Lodge consists of:
Jock Rae: A spacious ground floor room with full disabled access. With very spacious bathroom with bath and walk in shower
Mill Pool: The largest bedroom, upstairs with coombed ceiling. Large bathroom.
Jetties: A large ground floor room with full disabled access. A large light airy room with a gable end picture window overlooking meadows and hills towards the Dee. Large bathroom with bath and walk in shower.
Hollies: A first floor room with large picture window with a beautiful elevated view towards the Dee and hills beyond over pastureland. Bathroom with bath.
March: A first floor room with coombed ceiling. Bathroom with bath.
Island: A large ground floor room with gable end picture window with a beautiful view looking over pastureland towards the Dee and hills beyond. Bathroom with bath and shower.
Little Quithel: A smaller ground floor room. Decorated in indigo and buff William Yeoward print. Window looking onto green hedge and pastureland beyond. Wardrobe. Bathroom with bath.
Lindys: A beautiful restful ground floor room. Bathroom with bath.
Rossachs: A first floor room to lift the spirits. Gable end picture window looking onto tranquil trees. Bathroom with bath.
Pitslugs: A smaller first floor room, twin only. Tranquil view. Bathroom with bath.
All bedding is allergy and dust mite free and each room has a range of soft and firm pillows to meet those individual “Princess and the Pea” needs.
Limitless supply of white towels with an impossibly high GSM rating and lashings of hot water.
On each landing there is a complimentary hot drinks table where guests can make their beverage of choice at any time of the day or night!
The dining and drawing rooms offer the highest standards of comfort for large parties and guests will find that the small important practical details have been well attended to with the provision of a drying room and secure storage.
Activities
WALKING:
For those of you keen to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of Aberdeenshire, the Walk Highlands website suggests an excellent range of walks around Lower Deeside across a range of distances and difficulties.
Equally of interest is the Deeside Way, an ancient path that runs from Aberdeen to Ballater across 41 miles largely along the route of the Old Royal Deeside Railway. The track is suitable for walkers, cyclists and in some sections horse riders too. There are two sections within striking distance of the Lodge. Banchory to Aboyne is 13 miles and includes a 500m climb (and descent) and takes you past the Falls of Dess and to Kincardine O’Neil, the oldest village on Deeside. The Aboyne to Ballater route is a much flatter 11 miles and gives you views of Lochnagar and the Cambus O’May Suspension Bridge.
SHOOTING:
Some of the best grouse shooting in the UK is available less than 30 miles from the Lodge at the Invercauld Estate. Let days can be arranged with sufficient notice.
GOLF:
Some of the top golf courses in the world are located within an hour’s drive of Mill of Dess. The Lodge provides a perfect base to challenge your Links skills. In particular you may be interested in:-
Aboyne Golf Club – this excellent 18 hole course is friendly, charming and just 3 miles from the Lodge with a challenging mixture of parkland and hill.
The Trump International Golf Links (35 miles, 1 hour)
RIDING:
Only eight miles away from the Lodge you will find the Glentanar Equestrian Centre which offers safe, quality riding along riverside, woodland and mountain trails. A one hour ride can take you round the loch, into the Ancient Wood of Caledon and through the Water of Tanar. The team offers exciting hacks for experienced riders and more gentle treks for the novice.
Sporting
The beat is 2.25 miles long and includes 16 named pools.
The fishing at Lower Dess is on an exceptionally attractive, secluded left bank stretch of the river Dee which can be fished at low, medium and high water. Whilst the Dee’s reputation has traditionally been for prime spring fishing, more recently the summer fishing has been equally productive. The Dess fishings also benefit from a very good sea trout run in late June and July.
When you fish at Lower Dess, you are in the capable hands of their ghillie, Eoin Smith. Eoin has fished the river Dee for the last 35 years so his experience and local knowledge are unparalleled. He is on hand to consult and advise throughout your stay.
Where to find Mill of Dess Lodge
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