Auchintoul a Gem in Aboyne

One of my fondest memories are the months that our family spent in Aboyne. This village founded by Charles Gordon in 1671 has everything that I look for, a lot of greenery, mountains, and walks.

The weather was good during those months and when it was not, I did not bother so much. I was not looking for sunny days, as we were just back in Scotland after some years in the Tropic. On the contrary, a cloudy sky was very welcome as it provided me of some moody pictures.   

We choose to stay in a place called Auchintoul; a summer house that originally belong to the parents of the famous photographer and naturalist, Seton Gordon. This large chalet enclosed by an extensive mature garden was perfect for our isolation time during the pandemic.

The master mind behind the design of this house was the Aberdonian architect George Bennet Mitchell. I was impressed for the smart orientation of this home, the photographic eye to frame the scenery surround and its solid construction. Most of the modern houses fail in one of these three factors, if not in all of them.

We arrived at the end of the winter season and move toward warmer days. You will see how the vegetation and the light changed through the images. I tried to capture the feeling of each season and our experience in this marvellous place.

I invite you to scroll down and see more images of this holiday rental house, and I hope you can feel the atmosphere of being there.   

View from the sun terrace. A gorgeous dark and gloomy evening.

kitchen designed by John Lewis of Hungerford.

Master bedroom ensuite.

Another of the many bedrooms in this house.

The upstairs corridor has this magnificent view.

Office with view to the driveway.

TV room.

Mozolowski & Murray conservatory in winter time.

Edwardian heated greenhouse.

Rockery garden.

A sun terrace with panoramic views of the River Dee.

View from the kitchen.

A self contained cottage (right) and a large garage (left).

Generous production of raspberries and other berries can be found in one section of the garden.

Extensive vegetable and fruit patches.

Mozolowski & Murray conservatory in summer time.

View from the kitchen.

Sun terrace.

Rockery garden.

Surroundings. Forest of Birse.

Forest of Birse.