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Brodie Castle at Garden House, Forres

Guest Rating
Rating
4.0
out of 5
Guest Rating
Rating
4.0
out of 5
FORRES » Brodie Castle, Brodie
Sleeps up to 6
Pets 1
Bedrooms: 3

Garden House is a detached three-bedroom cottage and the former Head Gardener's residence on the historic Brodie Castle Estate, just outside Forres in Moray, Scotland. Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, this is one of five cottages on the estate and staying here gives you exclusive access to Brodie Castle's grounds outside regular opening hours, plus a complimentary castle tour.

The estate itself is extraordinary. You have the Playful Garden, a walled garden, duck pond, bird hides and estate trails right on your doorstep.

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About Brodie Castle at Garden House

Garden House is a detached three-bedroom cottage and the former Head Gardener's residence on the historic Brodie Castle Estate, just outside Forres in Moray, Scotland. Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, this is one of five cottages on the estate and staying here gives you exclusive access to Brodie Castle's grounds outside regular opening hours, plus a complimentary castle tour.

The estate itself is extraordinary. You have the Playful Garden, a walled garden, duck pond, bird hides and estate trails right on your doorstep. The Moray Firth coast is within easy reach, with Findhorn Bay just six miles away and Nairn's beaches ten miles out.

The cottage sleeps six across three bedrooms: a double and a twin on the first floor, plus a bunk room accessed via the twin room ideal for children. There's one bathroom on the ground floor with a bath and walk-in shower. Oil central heating and a woodburning stove keep things cosy year-round.

Culloden Battlefield is 30 miles away, Loch Ness around 40 miles, Sueno's Stone is in Forres itself and Findhorn Bay is just 15 minutes by car. Three off-road parking spaces and two dogs welcome make this a brilliant base.

Brodie Castle at Garden House suits families and dog owners who want a peaceful, well-equipped base with genuine estate access. It's a repeat-visit favourite for good reason.

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What Guests Love

Discover why our guests keep coming back to Brodie Castle at Garden House

Estate access after hours

Cottage guests can explore Brodie Castle Estate outside public opening hours a genuinely special perk you won't get anywhere else.

Complimentary castle tour

A free guided tour of Brodie Castle is included with your stay. Book at the Welcome Centre on arrival and make the most of it.

Enclosed gardens for dogs

Both the front and rear gardens are fully enclosed with lawn and gravel. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome and the estate grounds are perfect for daily walks.

Woodburning stove

The sitting room has a highly praised woodburning stove with a starter pack included. Guests consistently rate it as efficient and effective perfect for Scottish evenings.

Warm and well-equipped throughout

Oil central heating keeps the cottage warm on arrival. The kitchen has a dishwasher, washing machine, oven, hob and more everything you need for a full week away.

Fantastic location for day trips

Findhorn Bay is six miles away, Nairn is ten miles and Inverness is 27 miles. You're perfectly placed to explore the best of Moray and the Highlands.

Getting To Brodie Castle at Garden House

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

Garden House at Brodie Castle Estate is best reached by car via the A96, turning off towards Brodie near Forres. The estate entrance is well signposted and the cottage has off-road parking for three cars directly outside.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Forres, served by ScotRail on the Inverness to Aberdeen line and just over three miles from the estate. From Forres station a short taxi ride will take you directly to the Brodie Castle Estate.

Off-road parking for three cars
Forres railway station (approx. 3.5 miles)
Accessible via the A96 near Forres, Moray IV36 2TE

Attractions & More Nearby

Everything you need within easy reach

Brodie Castle (16th century)
Distance: On-site
IV36 2TE
Sueno's Stone (Pictish monument)
Distance: 3.5 miles
IV36 1QN
Findhorn Bay
Distance: 6 miles
IV36 3YG
Brodie Castle Estate Trails & Bird Hides
Distance: On-site
IV36 2TE
Findhorn Beach Walk
Distance: 6 miles
IV36 3YG
Califer Hill Viewpoint
Distance: 5 miles
IV36 2SH
Forres Town Centre
Distance: 3.5 miles
IV36 1AB
Brodie Castle Shop (NTS)
Distance: On-site
IV36 2TE
Elgin Town Centre
Distance: 12.5 miles
IV30 1BX
Forres (nearest town)
Distance: 3.5 miles
IV36 1AB
Nairn
Distance: 10 miles
IV12 4EH
Inverness
Distance: 27 miles
IV1 1JN
Brodie Castle (16th century)
Distance: On-site
IV36 2TE
Sueno's Stone (Pictish monument)
Distance: 3.5 miles
IV36 1QN
Findhorn Bay
Distance: 6 miles
IV36 3YG
Brodie Castle Estate Trails & Bird Hides
Distance: On-site
IV36 2TE
Findhorn Beach Walk
Distance: 6 miles
IV36 3YG
Califer Hill Viewpoint
Distance: 5 miles
IV36 2SH
Forres Town Centre
Distance: 3.5 miles
IV36 1AB
Brodie Castle Shop (NTS)
Distance: On-site
IV36 2TE
Elgin Town Centre
Distance: 12.5 miles
IV30 1BX
Forres (nearest town)
Distance: 3.5 miles
IV36 1AB
Nairn
Distance: 10 miles
IV12 4EH
Inverness
Distance: 27 miles
IV1 1JN

Is Brodie Castle at Garden House Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families
The Playful Garden at Brodie Castle features Scotland's biggest bunny sculpture and the National Collection of Daffodils. There's also an adventure playground and duck pond on the estate. The bunk room is perfect for younger children and a travel cot and highchair are available on request.
For Couples
Garden House is spacious for two but many couples have loved it. The woodburning stove, peaceful estate setting and easy access to the Moray Firth coast make for a genuinely restorative break. Findhorn Bay is six miles away and Nairn's beaches are just ten miles out perfect for long coastal walks together.
Pet Friendly
Two well-behaved dogs are welcome at Garden House. Both the front and rear gardens are fully enclosed with lawn and gravel. The Brodie Castle Estate grounds offer excellent daily walks and multiple guests have specifically praised the property as ideal for dogs.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Brodie Castle at Garden House

Brodie Castle Café (NTS)

Located On-site from your accommodation.

Postcode: IV36 2TE

The Brodie Countryfare Restaurant

Located 0.7 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: IV36 2TD

The Red Lion Inn, Forres

Located 3.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: IV36 1BP

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Brodie Castle at Garden House

Does this cottage have a hot tub?
No, Garden House does not have a hot tub. The cottage does however have a woodburning stove in the sitting room and oil central heating throughout, which guests consistently praise for keeping the property warm and cosy.
Is it pet friendly?
Yes, two well-behaved dogs are welcome at Garden House. Both the front and rear gardens are fully enclosed with lawn and gravel and the Brodie Castle Estate grounds are excellent for daily dog walks.
How many does the cottage sleep and what are the bedrooms?
The cottage sleeps six across three bedrooms. There is one double bedroom and one twin bedroom on the first floor, plus a bunk room that is accessed via the twin room with no door between them best suited to children.
Is there parking at the property?
Yes, there is off-road parking for three cars directly at the cottage. Electric vehicle charging points are also available on-site in the main castle car park, open seven days a week between 9am and 5pm.
What access do guests get to Brodie Castle?
Cottage guests can access the Brodie Castle Estate outside of regular public opening hours, which is a real bonus. A complimentary castle tour is also included booking is essential and can be arranged at the Welcome Centre.
How far is the nearest shop and pub?
The nearest pub is just 0.7 miles from the cottage an easy walk. The nearest shop is 3.2 miles away in Forres and the castle's own café and shop are on the estate during opening hours.
Is the cottage suitable for elderly guests or those with mobility issues?
The cottage has stairs to all three bedrooms and the only bathroom is on the ground floor. Several guests have noted the stairs are steep, so the property may not be ideal for guests with limited mobility.
What is the WiFi situation at the cottage?
WiFi is available at the cottage, but the property is in a rural location and a reliable connection cannot be guaranteed. Some guests have reported outages during their stay, so it is worth having a backup plan if connectivity is essential.

Brodie Castle at Garden House Reviews