Mitchell's Cottage www.scottishholidaycottage.net has the traditional charm of a 19th century fisherman's cottage with an open fire in the living room, together with a high standard of accommodation for up to 5/6 people in 3 bedrooms. It has just been refurbished and modernised to be a welcoming home-from-home.

The cottage is in a quiet location and has sea views from two of the bedrooms. It has a cosy and romantic, but yet family feel to it.

Gardenstown, or Gamrie as it's known locally, is situated on the north-east coast of Scotland and has big skies, big seas, and it nestles below dramatic red sandstone cliffs. . It has rows of prettily-painted traditional fishermen's cottages, a beach and is one of the most beautiful villages in Scotland. It has a nice old-fashioned family feel to it, with its own butcher and bakers (not a candlestick maker although there used to be a candle-maker).


The local pub, the Garden Arms is 100 yards away from the front door of Mitchell's Cottage and has a roaring fire, no tv, and no mobile phone reception so is the perfect place to get to know the locals. It also does great food at the weekend.

There are gorgeous walks around the village or simply stay at home with a dram in front of the open traditional fire.

The north-east coast of Scotland is one of Scotland’s hidden treasures. Away from the tourist hoards, this gem of an area has big, light filled skies, amazing long sandy beaches, and friendly folk who even have their own dialect! There is also the blessing of relatively no midges....

You are near to the Grampian and Highland mountains and hills for the serious climbers and walkers, but there are hundreds of more leisurely strolls or smaller hills locally for the less adventurous.

Because you are on the coast, the sea and its natural bounty has played a huge part in the fortunes of the area, with deep sea fishing and the oil industry. There are plenty of sea leisure activities to do locally, from a simple boat ride to try and find dolphins or amaze at the birdlife clinging to the cliffs, to kite surfing and diving. Go for a trip to Fraserburgh and look out for the surfers on the beach. Nearby Rosehearty is renowned as a fantastic place to go diving and look at the abundant - and surprisingly colourful - wildlife in the sea.

Gardenstown, or Gamrie (pronounced Game-rie) has rows of prettily-painted traditional fishermen's cottages, and the coast enjoys some of the best weather in Scotland - dry and sunny and does not suffer from midges!

Originally known as Gamrie, Gardenstown was founded in 1720 by Alexander Garden specifically as a fishing village. On the hillside to the west, and visible from most parts of Gardenstown, are the remains of the Church of St John the Evangelist. This predates the village, being built in 1513, and celebrates an even earlier event, the defeat of the Danes here in 1004.

By the 1920s, Gardenstown and the neighbouring village of Crovie together housed around 250 fishermen and 50 fishing boats were based here. This number declined over the following years in the face of competition from the larger and more effective vessels that could operate from other ports.

Gardenstown grew at Crovie's expense after the great storm of 31 January 1953. This washed away the path between the villages together with stretches of Crovie's sea defences, and a number of houses and sheds. Crovie ceased to be viable almost immediately, and many residents moved to Gardenstown.

Gardenstown has tended to grow upwards. The oldest cottages and other buildings are next to the sea, while newer additions are layered up the cliffs, culminating with the new housing and development that has taken place on the level ground above the cliffs. This steady growth has helped ensure a continuity of services and as a result Gardenstown continues to be a living and thriving village.

Prices from £295 to £495 depending on time of year. A £100 deposit will secure a booking.