Dell of Abernethy Cottages

We had our wedding (over a weekend) at The Dell of Abernethy and to say it was magical just doesn't cover it. We had the absolute time of our lives and all our guests keep saying how much they enjoyed it. Polly, Ross and Dawn were all superstars throughout the weekend making sure everything was set up as needed for each activity and were absolute gems on the wedding day itself, making sure that every person (guest and vendor) had what they needed and knew what was happening but without feeling overbearing. The cottages are gorgeous, really thoughtfully decorated and well equipped. The adjoining doors between cottages were ideal for everyone being able to mingle throughout the weekend but also allowing for privacy at night. The tipi was perfect for our reception, both the meal and dancing, as well as being used the following day for a creative workshop. Overall, The Dell and their staff are fab and we'd highly recommend - thanks folks!

We recently spent a fantastic week at Dell Lodge in what is easily the best large self-catering accommodation we’ve stayed in within the Cairngorms (and we have stayed in many!). Beautiful house, immaculately clean, cosy and welcoming, and perfectly equipped with everything we needed. It made an ideal base for exploring the area and endless walks from the door. What really stood out was the customer service,  which was outstanding from start to finish. It’s clear this is a family-run, independent business, as the team were incredibly helpful and accommodating throughout our stay. A truly special place, and we can’t wait to return.

Just home from a magical stay at the Dell of Abernethy. What a place to welcome in a new year! Ross, Polly and the whole team could not have been more hospitable and helpful (even helping to dig our cars out of the snow on the day we sadly had to leave). We stayed in the West Dell cottage which was beautiful and cosy. As frequent visitors to self catered properties in the Cairngorms (often managed by third parties) The Dell was a breath of fresh air offering comfort, charm, style and personality in abundance whilst feeling like a home from home. The location is perfect with epic trails to explore on the doorstep. The Dell Grocer on site is a lovely addition with a gorgeous selection of quality, local produce on offer. Cannot recommend more highly and can’t wait to return!

Not long home from a brilliant week staying at the Dell of Abernethy. We stayed in Dell lodge which was very homely, cosy and full of charm. We enjoyed a very comfortable stay with everything we could need in the well stocked kitchen and it was also nice to have the dell grocer on site to treat ourselves to some home made granola or a bottle of wine! The staff were all very friendly and eager to help, constantly filling up busy bird feeders, keeping log piles stacked and even helping us to dig our cars out of the snow. The location is perfect for beautiful walks in Nethy forest and further straight from the door and the scenery is stunning. You truly feel away from it all. Can’t wait to return, thanks for a brilliant week!

Great New Year break at Dell of Abernethy stayed in Dell Cottage as part of family group Have stayed in many large houses as a family but this experience was unique as in we had our own cottages but with interconnecting doors therefore worked really well across the ages ranging from 7-70 years. Was nice to be in accommodation owned and managed by family Ross Polly and Dawn and all staff we encountered could not have been more helpful. The Dell is in the perfect location for anyone who enjoys the outdoor life with nature on your doorstep plus peace and tranquility. Enjoyed it so much have already booked to return

Update: The venue has since emailed us and apologised sincerely for any errors made with regards to communication and expectation management. Whilst we are saddened that our wedding will be very different to what we’d originally hoped, we do thank The Dell for their apology and wish them, and any prospective couples, the very best for 2026. —— We came to visit the property in the first few months of 2025, so blown away by the set up we wished to hire the venue for our wedding at the end of 2027, (we were in the process of moving to the western isles, so tried to get a viewing in before travel became a little more challenging!) The initial meeting was great, and we were assured that if we waited and booked at the end of 2025, they could officially secure the date. Having previously worked in events and wedding venue hire myself, I know that it isn’t unusual for bookings to open two years in advance, with allowance for inflation changes etc, so a grey pencil in the meantime sounded perfect. We waited until the last week of November and emailed to ask if we could put a deposit down in December. Several days went by and we heard nothing, and received no out of hours email etc from the events manager we had been in contact with. Conscious that they may have moved on or be on holiday, after a week I messaged the main email address, forwarding the original email but saying ‘no pressure if it was already in hand’, we just wanted to be sure it’d been received. We heard nothing back from the main email address. A day or so later we received an email from the events manager explaining that they hadn’t replied due to personal circumstances, that the business had made the decision to downsize their capacity for weddings over a month ago, and that this is why they didn’t encourage people to book far in advance as they were no longer able to host our wedding. I replied saying how sorry I was to hear of their news and that we understood, though obviously disappointed, would consider our options. Truthfully we were heartbroken, and a bit deflated that we were made to feel like it was our fault for being prepared, when it isn’t unusual to book a wedding two years in advance, and we we’re given no heads up about even the possibility of a downsize, (which as a grey pencil, I would expect to at least be informed of). We were also offered no support or local know-how on maybe how to repair our circumstances, which felt quite impersonal. The week they told us they couldn’t host our wedding, many businesses were releasing their 2027 brochures and hosting fairs, and so we were busying ourselves looking for something in the area that could compare and accommodate our wishes, party and budget etc, before they were snapped up. Whilst searching on the internet I stumbled across a link to another brochure for The Dell, which I then emailed over to them hopefully, to ask if perhaps we had had a misunderstanding - had they assumed either budget or party size would be inappropriate for us, that sort of thing. The email I got in return was abrupt and defensive, being asked where I had found it and how I’d got a hold of it. I sent them the link, apologising for the confusion as it was freely available on google search under “Scottish wild weddings” (or similar), to which I received no reply at all. What could have been solved with a few kind words or a more sympathetic approach really threw us off course. Ironically instead of a wedding, are now going to elope anyway as we couldn’t find an equivalent alternative (which does speak to the beauty of the set-up). My partner and I have worked in customer service facing roles our whole lives, and so we understand what can happen, but to be treated like a burden for trying to promptly organise our wedding, was just really disheartening. We’re sure that we’re probably just an anomaly situation. But we hope that they can learn from this review and be kinder in the future.

Managed to book a short notice break here at the end of August and what a brilliant place. Stayed in Little Dell which was perfect for us as a couple with a dog. Has it's own little garden which was better than we thought from the details on the website. Location is perfect for getting out for walks in to the forests surrounding it, so peaceful and ideal for relacing. Ross/Polly/Dawn and the whole team are really friendly and helpful, the on site deli and coffee's are great. Will definitely be back for another stay when possible!!

The Dell of Abernethy hosted our daughter's wedding and did a truly fantastic job. We booked out the entire venue and the feedback from family and friends was so positive throughout our 4 night stay. The setting is idyllic, with the best of the Cairngorms on the doorstep. The Lodge and cottages are extremely comfortable, with beautiful, quirky decor and everything you need for a great stay and and an even better house party. Ross, Polly and their team were so professional, helpful and supportive at all times, even moving our drinks reception indoors at very short notice when the rain appeared. We made great use of the on site teepee for the wedding reception, which followed a beautiful outdoors ceremony under an old tree. We have no hesitation in recommending The Dell of Abernethy for any special occasion or just a relaxing holiday in the Scottish Highlands.