North Wing - Pitmedden Gardens

38 Customer Reviews

• "We had a lovely stay over Christmas and a lighted Christmas Tree was already set up to greet us and we even found another Christmas tree and lights so we had two in the lounge and dining room."

  We had a large gathering over Christmas and managed to find extra chairs and extend the table to seat 18 people so that was great. It’s a lovely location and we even managed a few walks around the gardens, although there is not much to see during winter. We would highly recommend it.

  Reviewed by Richard5.0★Dec 2024

• "Amazing place."

  Everything was perfect, the rooms were warm enough, internet connection fast and the property was just minutes away from Pitmedden. The Garden was beautiful. I highly recommend it.

  Reviewed by Ruzha5.0★Nov 2024

• "It was a great place to stay with family the cottage was huge we enjoyed our stay and it was extremely clean."

  Reviewed by Mukit5.0★Oct 2024

• "We had a wonderful week here with our tribe of children."

  The house and gardens were wonderful for everyone and with our National Trust for Scotland membership we were able to visit different castles, gardens and play parks all week without ever visiting anywhere twice. We liked it so much that we booked another week there for later in the year.

  Reviewed by Emma5.0★Oct 2024

• "We very much enjoyed our stay, and the atmosphere of the house and its decor."

  We did have some difficulty with the heaters in two of the bedrooms, Old Craig and the bedroom facing it across the landing. The heaters kept cutting out and becoming stone cold, despite our best efforts and having read the manual for advice. The backup moveable heaters saved the situation. But everything else was very much to our liking. Being able to access the garden is wonderful, and we met a very friendly black cat which followed us around.

  Many thanks for your feedback, we have asked the team at Pitmedden to check the heaters in the bedrooms. We have started to refurbish this apartment with a new suite already installed and plans for repainting, bathrooms and flooring in February 2025. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Andrew3.8★Oct 2024

• "An interesting, well equipped, comfortable and warm holiday home."

  Provided a great base for exploring the many other NTS sites in the Aberdeen area. Having Pitmedden Gardens at the back door was an added bonus - will definitely be back at some point. However just a couple of negative points - the oven was in need of a good clean and there was no kitchen cloth/cleaner for use on the work surfaces.

  Reviewed by Alison4.7★Sep 2024

• "I grew up in this house when my father worked for the National Trust for Scotland so it was a pleasure to take my family (10 of us in all - we took the Beechgrove Cottage as well) back to see where I spent my youth."

  There haven't been many changes since I was a boy there in the 1950s, but the house has been well maintained and makes an interesting holiday let. The great boon is the access to the spectacular garden, and our party took full advantage of it in the evenings. My main criticism of the house is the lack of a stair rail. My wife, who has limited mobility, found the stairs very difficult without a handhold of some kind. A simple thick rope hanging down the newel post would provide a quick solution. Really nice new tweed-upholstered furniture was delivered for the sitting room during our stay. The old furniture, which was there when I lived there 65 years ago, had lasted well, but it was time for a change! The room that used to be my father's study is now the entrance hall. It is dingy and unattractive and not a welcoming space. Better lighting , brighter paint and a few choice bits of furniture replacing that gloomy dark dresser would greatly improve it. Outside, the line of overflowing bins by the new front door was very unattractive. You need to find a better place to house them, properly screened. Also make sure they aren't overflowing. Each of my negative comments could be easily addressed. On the other hand, we found the resident manager very helpful and the service which she provided was excellent. We all greatly enjoyed our stay.

  Thank you for your feedback. We are planning to refurbish North Wing at Pitmedden in February 2025. The hall will be fully painted and wallpapered below dado rail, parquet flooring, large mirror over fire, select artwork, and the large dresser is being removed and replaced by a casual seat and umbrella stand. The heating is being upgraded, work being carried out in the bathroom and the bedrooms. Property Owner

  Reviewed by John4.4★Aug 2024

• "We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful property."

  It is huge and well appointed. Having immediate access to the gorgeous gardens each day was such a thrill and we felt like stately lords and ladies. Thank you so much. Well located for attractions, castles and nearby walks. We would definitely stay again. Julie

  Thank you for your lovely comments. We have scheduled some refurbishment for Feb 2025. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Julie5.0★Jul 2024

• "The location is in an idyllic spot (the garden is fantastic) and very quiet."

  The apartment is very large and offers plenty of space, especially for large families. Admittedly, this old house has a lot of charm, but you have to accept the flaws of an old building (some radiators don't work; some ceiling lights don't work, etc.). However, these flaws could be easily improved (the kitchen was not perfectly clean, with dirty plates in the cupboard, etc.). However, these are just minor details compared to the charm of the house.

  Many thanks for your feedback. We have highlighted your comments to the team at Pitmedden. North Wing is due to have some refurbishment this year to improve the comfort for our guests. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Philippe3.8★Jul 2024

• "Fantastic property; really lovely."

  Overall one of the best holiday cottages we have stayed in, and are planning to come back. Almost everything we needed - only a single tea towel and no dishcloth (so if we do come back, we will bring our own next time), though the towels and bedding were excellent. Cleaning was mostly good - though things like very cobwebby windows with lots of dead flies (e.g. in the downstairs bathroom).

  Reviewed by Stuart4.7★Jul 2024

• "A unique and atmospheric place to stay with wonderful gardens."

  Reviewed by John5.0★Jun 2024

• "The house was warm and spotlessly clean."

  The shower was hot and powerful. The decor is a little dated as seen in the pictures but you cannot fault it for the price. We enjoyed walking round the beautiful gardens and would definitely return next time we were in the area. Thanks

  Thank you very much for your feedback, lovely to read that you enjoyed the gardens. We are hoping to improve some aspects of the apartment. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Lauren4.4★Mar 2024

• "Our stay at Pitmedden Gardens was fabulous."

  The North wing was very clean and well equipped with everything you need to be home from home. This is an old house and the furnishings respectfully reflected this. The beds were very comfortable and huge and the bedding was spotless. The shower was amazing and the heat instantaneous. No waiting for it to be warm. The surrounding areas are picturesque and of course the gardens are an added bonus. I would definitely recommend Pitmedden Gardens. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

  Many thanks for your lovely comments and we hope to welcome you back, maybe in another season when the garden is looking at its best. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Mark5.0★Jan 2024

• "The house was perfect for our needs and we enjoyed our stay, however, some minor ..."

  The house was perfect for our needs and we enjoyed our stay, however, some minor suggestions: - better lighting in the rooms (except kitchen) - heating controls were confusing - more external lighting around the main entrance and parking

  Thank you for your feedback, your comments are welcome and we will see what we can do to improve the lighting. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Geoffery4.4★Jan 2024

• "Stayed here Fri to Tues for hogmanay."

  The property was fantastic. There were 6 of us, and everyone had a wonderful time. The property was fully furnished with everything we could need, with the obvious exception of food and drink. The property is very spacious and decorated traditionally, which I like. The gardens surrounding were beautiful. The beach is not far by car and we visited the local village, where everyone was so friendly. I would definitely return and would highly recommend for a relaxing break.

  Reviewed by Debbie5.0★Dec 2023

• "We had a lovely two-week stay in this beautiful house, enjoying the garden (even in winter) and the lovely surroundings."

  The rooms are delightful - huge, light sitting room with views over the front lawn (yes, maybe invest in new feather seat cushions for the sofa, but perfectly adequate). The bedrooms are spacious and attractive, with quality bedding and furnishings. The main double bedroom is spectacularly large and luxurious. We loved the curved staircase and the central dining room with the square table. The kitchen is spacious, as is the outer hall, with lots of storage for coats, boots, umbrellas - all needed for the Scottish climate. The NTS staff were very friendly and helpful. Perhaps a few more serving dishes would be useful if the house is full. Overall a lovely place - I could move in!

  Thank you for your lovely comments which have been passed onto the team at Pitmedden, we are hoping to replace the suite in 2024. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Pamela4.7★Nov 2023

• "A unique experience and a privilege to stay in this special place As iit is a NationalTrust property we thought there should have been some information provided about the property and its history Narrow spiral staircase is quite dangerous because there is no handrail."

  It is mentioned on the website but I think there needs to be more clarity about how tricky that staircase is. The process and communication for garbage need to be clarified. The instructions in the house are simply wrong, the bins are locked iand inaccessible. Finally, we asked office staff, and they told just to leave the garbage at the front door. In summary, though, a unique experience, thank you

  Many thanks for your feedback and the team at Pitmedden have been made aware of the confusion on the bins. We have already amended the information about the stairs. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Ida3.4★Oct 2023

• "Excellent property which is very well equipped."

  I'm told there has been criticism of the sofas, but what do people expect in a property that contains period furniture? - sofa was fine. Main sitting room could benefit from some extra lighting (we took our own after reading previous reviews) but not a show stopper. Guidance on waste disposal needs clarified - the bins at the back of the garage were locked, but on site staff and volunteers were sympathetic and helpful.

  Reviewed by David4.7★Sep 2023

• "Had really good stay with friends, house and gardens were great, the lounge ..."

  Had really good stay with friends, house and gardens were great, the lounge furniture needs replaced it’s very uncomfortable on chairs, I know it’s mentioned they are old and part of it but it’s important guests are comfortable and lounge furniture lets it down sure alternatives could be found without looking out of place,it’s mentioned in description but be aware of stairs could be a big problem for some who have mobility problems or unsteady of foot,

  Thank you for feedback we will discuss the suite with the Pitmedden Team and the collections team and see what we can do about it. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Angus3.4★Sep 2023

• "Myself, my daughter and 4 grandchildren had a great stay, house is spacious, kids had a ball playing hide and seek."

  Glad to read you enjoyed your stay, plus there is a fantastic garden right next to the house. We hope to welcome you back to the NTS cottages and apartments. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Lynne5.0★Jul 2023

• "THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR MY FAMILY OF SIX!"

  THE GARDENS ARE INCREDIBLE AS IS THE PROPERTY AND ROOM NUMBER AND SIZE /SHOWER WATER PRESSURE AMAZING THIS WAS A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. MY AUNT LIVES JUST A FEW MILES AWAY IN ELON AND I HAVEN'T SEEN HER IN NEARLY 50 YEAS!!! PERFECT LOCATION TO RENDEZVOUS! GREAT NEW ALDI GROCERY STORE THERE - THE FIREPLACE KEPT THE PLACE COZY!WE WANT TO RETURN! ONLY REGRET, STAY LONGER

  Thank you so much for the great review. We have a number of properties located in or beside fabulous gardens. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Robert5.0★Jun 2023

• "North Wing Pitmedden House, comments on visit 17 to 24 June 23 Our party consisted of 4 adults and two youngsters."

  We found the property fine for what we wanted and the access to the Pitmedden Gardens was an added bonus, particularly in the evenings; we were lucky with the weather. The kitchen was in excellent condition and really well equipped with ample crockery, cutlery and pot and pans, again all in good condition. The clothes washing machine did the job but was modern and a little daunting to control; an instruction book would have been helpful to make sure users did not damage it. In fact there were no instruction books for any of the equipment. Dining room and lounge again well equipped with more than adequate furniture and facilities. Upstairs the bedrooms and bathroom facilities were excellent, the walk in shower afforded good access and performed particularly well. We did, however, find some issues with the property. The property description stated two floors the upper floor accessed by a winding stair case. I had assumed that being a domestic residence the stair case would be of relatively slow helix and have at least one handrail. The spiral was in fact more like a castle spiral stair with uneven stone steps and there was no handrail. Further the staircase was interrupted by another staircase joining at about three quarters of the way up. Neither of the steps on the ground and the first floors mentioned in your online description had a handrail. My wife has a mobility issue but can use stairs of a normal domestic type when equipped with a hand rail. We managed but she had to be assisted both up and down all the stairs though we decided not to attempt the steps on the first floor. You should either install suitable hand rails or make it clear in your property description that the property might not be suitable for people with a mobility issue. Waste disposal: There is no clear information on where bins are and which ones to use. We found bins at the rear of the garage near left end of the house. There was a skip, three industrial bins, one of which was recycle of all kinds, four normal bins, one marked recycle and another overflowing. The skip was open topped and therefore not suitable for kitchen waste other bins were full and the three industrial bins were locked, except for one day when we were able to use them. When we left I had to leave a plastic bag with an apology on the floor in the kitchen as I did not know what to do with it. There is no clear information on what is recycled. I would have expected the National Trust for Scotland to be a paragon on such a subject. An NTS information sheet in the lounge indicated that there were full recycling facilities at the medical centre in Pitmedden. This is not correct, there are bins for glass only. One of the industrial bins, which was locked for most of the week was for mixed recycling and appeared to cover all usual items, so this could be used by North Lodge visitors. You need to sort this simple issue out.

  Thank you for your feedback and we are sorry that you have had to report a few issues at Pitmedden. We are discussing with the team at Pitmedden how we can improve the recycling options, we have a new contactor for waste and are working out how to ensure the waste is segregated properly. We have amended the description on the web listing to make it more obvious that the staircase is a winding stone staircase as the property , and this should be considered when booking the property. Parts of the house date from the 17thc and 19thc so we are sometimes restricted in what we can change in a house. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Robert4.4★Jun 2023

• "Large spacious accommodation and excellent for young children especially with access to the gardens."

  Reviewed by Geoffery3.8★Apr 2023

• "Beds very comfortable ."

  Lovely old building and very clean with all the facilities you require . Lounge furniture very uncomfortable , fortunately we had seen this on a previous comment and we took our own extra cushions .

  Many thanks for your comments. We have added more cushions to the suite to improve the comfortable for our guests. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Leslie4.4★Mar 2023

• "We had an absolutely wonderful stay in The North Wing."

  Having the beautiful gardens to wander in whenever we felt like it was amazing - especially in the snow! The house is lovely, very grand and appropriately furnished with antiques and interesting pictures and books. We were very cosy and the wood-burning stove was a bonus. Although it didn't throw out much heat, this wasn't an issue as the house was very warm. (Almost too warm, even with snow outside. I am used to heating that is off overnight, and in the end turned off the storage heater in my room.) Maybe basic instructions on the operation of the drafts on the stove would be good. I finally worked out that they were the opposite to my stove at home. There are great walks right from the door, e.g. along the Fisher's Path to Tolquhon Castle and Tarves and, in the other direction, to Udny Green. These were both lovely. Less lovely is the village of Pitmedden itself, which is an excellent example of what can happen when the planning laws are too lax. Udny Green is much nicer. We spent a day at Haddo House and thoroughly recommend this. We would have gone back again had it not snowed! I have only three suggestions for improvements to The North Wing. First, maybe supply some cushions for the chairs in the sitting room as they are very deep front to back (loved the chairs, though, and their chintzy covers) - we brought some cushions down from a bedroom. We also brought table lamps from a bedroom as the lighting in the sitting room is very harsh and cold. I would suggest doing away with the centre light and having wall lights and table lamps. Finally, the walls throughout are white or pale magnolia, giving a rather cold, institutional feeling that doesn't do justice to the lovely rooms - reminiscent of the colour schemes in the student houses of our youth! Some more sympathetic period colours on the walls would be lovely. But these are minor quibbles. All in all, this was a very enjoyable week and we would love to come back again. Exceeded our expectations, which were already high!

  Many thanks for your feedback. Great to read that you visited many other places in the area and our own NTS Haddo House. We will discuss about purchasing some more cushions for the chairs, these chairs are part of the collection , part of the history of the building. We did have it restuffed and recovered but we will try to make them more comfortable. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Jane3.4★Mar 2023

• "Property is absolutely lovely, huge rooms peaceful and relaxing."

  Strongly recommend. A second key would be nice but using the key box was fine.

  Thank you for kind words about the North Wing at Pitmedden. We hope you return and see the gardens in the summer perhaps. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Graham4.4★Dec 2022

• "Spent a wonderful week over Christmas here."

  Property was larger than expected from the pictures and, for its size, it was surprisingly lovely and warm. Everything was clean and so lovely having the Christmas tree up and decorated for us when we arrived. Everything in the kitchen is in excellent condition and there were plenty of plates, cups, utensils etc. So lovely having access to the private gardens out the back. There is very little I could come up with by way of suggestions for improvement - perhaps the lighting in the lounge could be improved with an extra lamp and a larger light shade on the ceiling light fitting. Can’t wait to stay here again!

  Thank you so much for your lovely review and we have passed it on to the team at Pitmedden and noted the comments about lounge lighting. We hope you do come to stay again and maybe see this special garden in a different season. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Gillian4.7★Dec 2022

• "Property was lovely and clean and well equipped ."

  Beds were very comfortable but lounge furniture was uncomfortable , fortunately we read previous comments and brought our own additional cushions . House is in a beautiful setting and we hope to return soon .

  Thank you very much for the kind comments about your stay at Pitmedden. Great to read you found the cleanliness excellent and excellent facilities. Just to update you about the sofa we did have the sofa re-upholstered and re-padded last year after the comments we received in the Autumn of 2021. We would love to welcome you back to Pitmidden or indeed at any of the other NTS properties. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Leslie4.7★Oct 2022

• "We fully understand it is an older property and presents its own quirks."

  However, there were lots of spider webs on windows which my wife went around the house to clean up on day of arrival. The lighting in the sitting room was inadequate. We took the lamp from the dinning room as it was not used to assist in the sitting room. The kitchen sink could do with an instantaneous hot water heater under the sink. Had to waste a lot of water waiting for the water to get hot. The lock on one of sitting room windows was broken and some windows looked liked they were painted shut. The Wifi was a huge disappointment as the only room to get a signal was the sitting room and the bedroom above. The signal was very slow and weak.The heating was great (even with minimum use) as we never felt cold or damp. And having the garden and cafe right outside our back door was great. One last point - the speed bump on the drive needs to be highlighted, especially in the dark. We hit it quite hard the first time we drove in.

  Thank you for your feedback and we are sorry that you have had to pass on the comments about the spiders and the lighting. We have passed your full feedback onto the team at Pitmedden to address the points you have raised. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Michael4.4★Sep 2022

• "Very good property,not enough glasses,no beer or whisky glasses."

  No wooden spoon for the porridge

  Reviewed by Helenmary5.0★Aug 2022

• "We loved our stay."

  The house was beautiful and relaxing. We met many NTS staff and all were friendly and had lots of experience to share about the gardens and the property.

  Thank you so much for your kind comments, a great location if you love gardens and peaceful locations. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Victoria5.0★Aug 2022

• "Amazing property, well equiped and just incredible location."

  It really made our vacation very memorable.

  Thank you so much for your kind comments, glad to read that you enjoyed your stay. Great place if you love gardens. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Emma5.0★Jul 2022

• "This must rank as the best National Trust Property in the country."

  The accommodation is simply superb. Spacious, comfortable, in period, but with huge beds in huge bedrooms, a modern kitchen with everything one could require, a huge lounge with glorious views out of large picture windows at the front, and over the garden at the back, a lovely dining room with a period fireplace, and double entrance doors to keep the warmth in. The biggest bonus of all must be the private access to the simply glorious Pitmedden garden with an open all hours policy allowing one to stroll around the garden after the public visitors have gone. The garden is very special and is planted in two very different styles, in different levels, one very formal, and the other informal, and it is a magical place. A truly wonderful place to stay, that should be booked up years in advance, so book now!

  Thank you so much for the great comments about the North Wing at Pitmedden. The gardens are superb, the more informal, is newly planted. Designed with a 21st-century twist on a traditional garden, designed by celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Richard5.0★Jun 2022

• "Best bit - having the top garden to yourself when the gate is closed."

  But for some unfathomable reason they lock the middle gates, to keep you out of the best bit. Its a big old rambling house. Very clean, nice and tidy. The chairs and beds were all comfy. Needs some cushions in the living room though. Bed linen and towels excellent. The kitchen is excellent. Dining room very good. Bath and shower rooms range from good to excellent. Some of the light bulbs are a bit dim, but OK. Heating took some fiddling with to get right, its mostly storage heaters that take time to warm up. We are used to these and had no problems getting it pleasant. Also has some oil filled radiators that we needed. Scotland is not warm in early May. Wi-fi works OK. We streamed music upstairs with no problem, but video only worked properly on ground floor, and didn't stretch to the dining room, kitchen or upstairs. Something like a TP-Link Booster Powerline Kit would solve that easily, but we had left ours at home. Had to log in to video call to deal with issue at work, and that worked fine in the living room. Easiest route is from A90 via Ellon. Where Brew-Dog have their brewery and an excellent bar. Supermarkets and fuel all close enough to not be a problem. Loads of restaurants and pubs. Good walks.

  Thank you very much for your kind words about the North Wing at Pitmedden. We will pass on your comments to the team at Pitmedden so they are aware of the dim bulbs and the need for some cushions. Thank you also for the tip about the Booster for the wifi, we will look into it. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Julian5.0★May 2022

• "Overall this is an excellent place to stay and we would highly recommend it."

  A few suggestions that would enhance the stay further: provide an enhanced selection of pans for cooking; add extra padding to seat cushions in sitting room; provide some instructions for the heating system.

  Reviewed by Norman4.4★Sep 2021

• "This place is awesome."

  Set in gorgeous grounds, it's a real dream come true. Lots of room, and an extra special surprise was that the double beds are more like superking beds. Positives: - Having access to the amazing gardens for example when eating breakfast is out of this world - If you end up bumping into them, the staff at Pitmedden are lovely - Ample private parking - Lovely walks - Cute town and very well stocked Co-op within walking distance - Loads of room - Very well equipped kitchen - Huge dining table, great for board games - We only used the master bedroom, but the bed was extremely comfortable - So quiet in the evenings & no light pollution whatsoever - We saw bunnies and deer outside on the lawn in the evening Slight negatives: - As someone else mentioned, the wi-fi signal doesn't penetrate much beyond the living room and master bedroom, so bear that in mind if that's an issue for you. Possibly not an issue for people who are on a better mobile network than us (three) - The chairs and sofa in the living room are old and pretty uncomfortable. If you have back issues etc you might want to consider bringing an extra cushion It's such an unusual place to stay - super memorable. We would stay here again in a heartbeat.

  Many thanks for your kind comments about your stay at Pitmedden. The seating is part of the heritage of the property but we are exploring if we can refurbish the internal parts of the suite to make it more comfortable. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Vicky4.7★Sep 2021

• "The pictures do not justify how big the property is."

  The use of the gardens was another added bonus. We also had an unexpected tribute band play on our last night which we were able to attend for free. Absolutely amazing experience. We have already recommended this fabulous holiday home to family who have booked for later this year. Would definitely return.

  Thank you so much for your kind words and for the recommendation to your family. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Tracy5.0★Jul 2021

• "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the gardens were beautiful and the museum very interesting."

  A very good hub for exploring the surrounding area. Some minor points that didn’t really affect our stay but may be worthwhile attending to for future guests 1. No coal left for first night and fire left full of ashes. We did not use it. 2. Wash hand basin in master bedroom is not plumbed in and is for show. This is misleading in advert. 3. Shower in shower room is cold. It doesn’t heat up. We did report it on site but said we could live with it. Wifi does not extend to bedrooms. Repeaters would fix this. These are not complaints but, I hope, useful feedback as we had a great stay and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone

  Thank you for your feedback, just to confirm we leave wood for the fire and not coal. We have asked the cleaners to ensure that the fire is cleared of ashes on each changeover day. We have asked Sykes to amend the description of the twin room to remove mention of a wash hand basin. We are looking into replacing the shower. Unfortunately with many solid stone building there is little we can do to improve the wifi signal. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Mary Anderson3.8★Jul 2021

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