Hillside Havens

Not far from us and worth a visit. 😊

Beautiful sunset tonight. 😍 #sunset #redskyatnight #roomwithaview

Cuddled up on the couch is the best place to be on a dreich day like this! #rainyday #cuddles #couch #vizsla #goldenlab

Moon rising over Dufftown, another great walk with the pups! 😊 #moon #nightsky #countingmyblessings @ Dufftown

Just love the colour of Autumn rain skies when the sun lights up the foreground. #darkclouds #autumn #landscape #trees #nofilter @ Hillside Havens

Playtime! #vizsla #goldenlab #lovemydogs

Beautiful night for walking the hounds! 😊 🐕 #dogwalking #moon #redskyatnight #clouds #twilight

Amazing #rainbow during the #stormyweather today. #itscoldoutside #holdontoyourhat @ Dufftown

Love the way the land glows when the sun pokes out from a cloud darkened sky. #sun #clouds #darkskies #roundbales #windmills #fieldsofbarley @ Dufftown

Filling up fast! 🎅🏼

I think Autumn is here. #rowantree #rowanberries #dufftownscotland #autumncolours #dogwalking #vizsla #photobomber

Love finding flowers in the wilderness! Suspect these may be garden flowers?!.. One day I’ll find time to become a gardener! 😄 🌸 #flowers #gardening #lifeambitions @ Dufftown

If you’re in the area the Santa Special is very special indeed! 😊 🎅🏼

Spotted this late bloomer on my walk tonight. #thistle #dufftown #lovewhereilive #scenery #dogwalking

“Easy like Sunday morning..” 🎶 #faithnomore #itsadogslife #lovemydogs

We stayed in Beater’s Bothy for two nights last weekend and had a great time. The hosts were lovely and friendly and went out of their way to make the stay as comfortable as possible. The pod was amazing. I have already been raving about it to all who will listen. It had everything you needed, was so cosy and very comfy. Loved the way it was decorated and was very well equipped. Location was perfect for climbing Ben Rinnes and we easily walked into town on multiple occasions. Will definitely be back.

We have just returned from a 2 night stay in the Ghillies Neuk Pod with our 2 children, here at Hillside Havens. Super impressed with these little pods, Derek really helpful and friendly.

The pods are very modern and have everything you would want. Really cosy with the underfloor heating� good space even with 4 of us inside, bed and sofa bed comfortable.

Lovely spacious shower. We had the fire pit going outside and toasted the marshmallows! Lovely outdoor space with nice furniture and decking. Wishing Derek and Elanor all the best with future plans, we will be back I am sure! Would highly recommend to everyone.�

We have a good stay in one of the 4 pods! Very clean and a good bed, kitchen and bathroom. We have enough room and we have good WiFi 🎉 Hillside Havens is nearby Dufftown with a 10min. walk from the town. The host are very nice, and give you good information.

We had a lovely weekend in Ramblers Rest, thanks Derek and Eleanor. The Pod was immaculate, lovely and cosy with the underfloor heating, and we appreciated the little extras like milk, toiletries, filter coffee and shortbread! The information about Dufftown was very useful and we enjoyed lovely meals in both the Stuart Arms Hotel and Alchemy restaurant. We'll be back, when hopefully the weather will be better and we'll be able to explore the local area a bit more. Thanks again.

Thanks to Eleanor and Derek for a great 2 night in their luxury pod. The pod was really cosy with underfloor heating. The pod was well kitted out with a great selection of teas and filter coffee, shortbread and milk. Great shower and toiletries. WiFi �we enjoyed a fantastic day skiing in Glenshee followed by a great meal in The Stuart Arms. My sister and I had a truly relaxing stay. Thanks again and good luck with your new venture! Hope you have a great season �

Such a peaceful location but with all the wee luxuries you need. The fab hosts, Eleanor and David, left lots of information on nearby Dufftown where we enjoyed a wee coffee and cake trip to Sidings Cafe and an evening meal at the Seven Stills bar/restaurant - again lovely hosts (Rosamund and Patrick) and delicious food (French-inspired with local ingredients!)

Spent 2 days at hillside havens and loved it!! The pods were amazing, really comfortable and beautifully decorated. Would definately recommend. The owners were very helpful and couldn't do enough for you to make sure our stay was as happy and comfortable as possible. Will definately be back!!

Smugglers Retreat - I have just returned home from a 2 night stay with my daugther and we loved it! all we wanted was to chill out, the pods are immaculate and it was like a home from home, everything you needed for a comfortable stay: from shampoo, soap, towels, tea, coffee, milk to toilet roll. The underfloor heating was great and we were never cold even though it was snowing and windy outside, there was also wi-fi too, so my daughter was never bored in the evenings.

Highly recommend and we will be back! Good Luck with everything and huge thanks again. x

My wife and I had our first glamping experience at the excellent Hillside Havens. The pods have everything you need and more and were spotlessly clean. Pots, pans and all kitchen utensils included. Microwave, hobs and toaster in the kitchen. Very good sized shower and toilet, good sized bed and separate living room area with couch and TV with Netflix sign in available. The space inside the pod really has been maximised and it's amazing how much is inside it without feeling cramped.



As for things to do nearby, if you're a whisky lover like myself then there are plenty of whisky distilleries in the area, the closest one being the Glenfiddich distillery which was very enjoyable and informative.

Also, if you like climbing mountains then you are surrounded by a few options. My wife and I climbed the nearby Corbett "Ben Rinnes" on a cold and windy day but with stunning views of Aberdeenshire and the north east from the summit.



I would definitely recommend Hillside Havens for a relaxing getaway with excellent hosts.

My husband, son and I stayed recently and couldn’t fault it. The pods are so lovely, comfy and warm. I’ve stayed in hotels that weren’t as nice as it. Gorgeous surroundings, my 4 year old son didn’t want to leave. Owners are really lovely, couldn’t do enough for you. We shall definitely visit again x

Just spent one night here and fell in love with the Pods, the peace & tranquility... lovely location and everything you could want/need in the Pods... was lovely to take our wee Mutt too... will defo be back - hopefully for longer next time... perfect chill time.

Just returned from a fabulous stay in Smugglers Retreat with husband and 2 granddaughters. I can only repeat what other reviewers have said as it truly was 5 star! Our hosts thought of everything to make the stay comfortable and memorable. I’d like to return as a couple to redo the experience at a slower ,chill out pace. Thank you Eleanor and Derek for creating a beautiful Haven.

Just come back from a fantastic 2 night break. Had a brilliant stay - pods are perfect - we had snow over night and we had no idea - so lovely and snug!! Kids loved the sheep and folding sofa bed and we loved the shower, views and underfloor heating!!! Thanks for having us!

Just back from a couple of nights staying at Smugglers Retreat pod. Absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough. The pod itself was fab with WiFi, underfloor heating, en suite bathroom and well equipped throughout. Owners Derek and Eleanor very friendly and welcoming...we will definitely be back �

Just back from a 2 night stay in Smugglers Retreat - it was amazing! Everything was thought of, a pint of milk in the fridge for a morning tea/coffee and beautiful blankets left out for keeping cosy on the sofa. There was a hob for cooking and a microwave and it really felt like a home away from home. The bed was really comfy and we got a brilliant sleep on it. It was freezing outside but the pod was so warm and it was lovely to come back to after a walk around a beautiful part of the country. The owners are absolutely lovely and I would recommend this to everyone!! We'll be back in the summer to take advantage of the little barbecue and the lovely outdoor seating!

I've just returned home today after a 2 night stay with my girls in the Ramblers Rest, and we had a fantastic time. The pods are just immaculate, and very luxurious. The underfloor heating made the pods super cosy. It was like home from home. Loved the personal touches of coffee, tea, fresh milk, shampoo etc. Having wifi was great too. We were so grateful to our hosts, for making our stay just perfect. Thanks to Derek for lighting our fire pit on our last night, so the girls could toast their marshmallows. It was the perfect end to our stay. Good luck with the rest of your plans. Many thanks, and we hope to be back again.

I try the rating once in English. We had a wonderful place to stay with really impressive views.

The pods were very modern.

Thanks also to the numerous tips for the environment.

And a little hint to the host: The new season of Narcos comes in November on Netflix.

Had an amazing stay and couldn’t fault a thing. Pods are really luxurious and have literally everything you need. They even provided tea, coffee, salt, pepper and a pint of milk - we didn’t need to bring a thing, was more similar to a hotel stay than a camping experience. Surprisingly spacious and makes such a difference having underfloor heating and a bathroom in the pod. The sofa bed was very comfortable too, more like a normal bed, which is often not the case. Free WiFi and could even use Netflix, but with such amazing views you don’t need any of this! Derek was a great host, we’ll definitely be back!

Had a great 2 night stay, pod was immaculate, very comfortable, well equipped and was given milk on arrival, stunning views, owners were very friendly and helpful, just a short walk in to Dufftown and lots to do in the surrounding area, would definitely recommend it!

We stayed in Beater’s Bothy for two nights last weekend and had a great time. The hosts were lovely and friendly and went out of their way to make the stay as comfortable as possible. The pod was amazing. I have already been raving about it to all who will listen. It had everything you needed, was so cosy and very comfy. Loved the way it was decorated and was very well equipped. Location was perfect for climbing Ben Rinnes and we easily walked into town on multiple occasions. Will definitely be back.

We have just returned from a 2 night stay in the Ghillies Neuk Pod with our 2 children, here at Hillside Havens. Super impressed with these little pods, Derek really helpful and friendly.

The pods are very modern and have everything you would want. Really cosy with the underfloor heating� good space even with 4 of us inside, bed and sofa bed comfortable.

Lovely spacious shower. We had the fire pit going outside and toasted the marshmallows! Lovely outdoor space with nice furniture and decking. Wishing Derek and Elanor all the best with future plans, we will be back I am sure! Would highly recommend to everyone.�

We have a good stay in one of the 4 pods! Very clean and a good bed, kitchen and bathroom. We have enough room and we have good WiFi 🎉 Hillside Havens is nearby Dufftown with a 10min. walk from the town. The host are very nice, and give you good information.

We had a lovely weekend in Ramblers Rest, thanks Derek and Eleanor. The Pod was immaculate, lovely and cosy with the underfloor heating, and we appreciated the little extras like milk, toiletries, filter coffee and shortbread! The information about Dufftown was very useful and we enjoyed lovely meals in both the Stuart Arms Hotel and Alchemy restaurant. We'll be back, when hopefully the weather will be better and we'll be able to explore the local area a bit more. Thanks again.

Thanks to Eleanor and Derek for a great 2 night in their luxury pod. The pod was really cosy with underfloor heating. The pod was well kitted out with a great selection of teas and filter coffee, shortbread and milk. Great shower and toiletries. WiFi �we enjoyed a fantastic day skiing in Glenshee followed by a great meal in The Stuart Arms. My sister and I had a truly relaxing stay. Thanks again and good luck with your new venture! Hope you have a great season �

Such a peaceful location but with all the wee luxuries you need. The fab hosts, Eleanor and David, left lots of information on nearby Dufftown where we enjoyed a wee coffee and cake trip to Sidings Cafe and an evening meal at the Seven Stills bar/restaurant - again lovely hosts (Rosamund and Patrick) and delicious food (French-inspired with local ingredients!)

Spent 2 days at hillside havens and loved it!! The pods were amazing, really comfortable and beautifully decorated. Would definately recommend. The owners were very helpful and couldn't do enough for you to make sure our stay was as happy and comfortable as possible. Will definately be back!!

Smugglers Retreat - I have just returned home from a 2 night stay with my daugther and we loved it! all we wanted was to chill out, the pods are immaculate and it was like a home from home, everything you needed for a comfortable stay: from shampoo, soap, towels, tea, coffee, milk to toilet roll. The underfloor heating was great and we were never cold even though it was snowing and windy outside, there was also wi-fi too, so my daughter was never bored in the evenings.

Highly recommend and we will be back! Good Luck with everything and huge thanks again. x

My wife and I had our first glamping experience at the excellent Hillside Havens. The pods have everything you need and more and were spotlessly clean. Pots, pans and all kitchen utensils included. Microwave, hobs and toaster in the kitchen. Very good sized shower and toilet, good sized bed and separate living room area with couch and TV with Netflix sign in available. The space inside the pod really has been maximised and it's amazing how much is inside it without feeling cramped.



As for things to do nearby, if you're a whisky lover like myself then there are plenty of whisky distilleries in the area, the closest one being the Glenfiddich distillery which was very enjoyable and informative.

Also, if you like climbing mountains then you are surrounded by a few options. My wife and I climbed the nearby Corbett "Ben Rinnes" on a cold and windy day but with stunning views of Aberdeenshire and the north east from the summit.



I would definitely recommend Hillside Havens for a relaxing getaway with excellent hosts.

My husband, son and I stayed recently and couldn’t fault it. The pods are so lovely, comfy and warm. I’ve stayed in hotels that weren’t as nice as it. Gorgeous surroundings, my 4 year old son didn’t want to leave. Owners are really lovely, couldn’t do enough for you. We shall definitely visit again x

Just spent one night here and fell in love with the Pods, the peace & tranquility... lovely location and everything you could want/need in the Pods... was lovely to take our wee Mutt too... will defo be back - hopefully for longer next time... perfect chill time.

Just returned from a fabulous stay in Smugglers Retreat with husband and 2 granddaughters. I can only repeat what other reviewers have said as it truly was 5 star! Our hosts thought of everything to make the stay comfortable and memorable. I’d like to return as a couple to redo the experience at a slower ,chill out pace. Thank you Eleanor and Derek for creating a beautiful Haven.

Just come back from a fantastic 2 night break. Had a brilliant stay - pods are perfect - we had snow over night and we had no idea - so lovely and snug!! Kids loved the sheep and folding sofa bed and we loved the shower, views and underfloor heating!!! Thanks for having us!

Just back from a couple of nights staying at Smugglers Retreat pod. Absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough. The pod itself was fab with WiFi, underfloor heating, en suite bathroom and well equipped throughout. Owners Derek and Eleanor very friendly and welcoming...we will definitely be back �

Just back from a 2 night stay in Smugglers Retreat - it was amazing! Everything was thought of, a pint of milk in the fridge for a morning tea/coffee and beautiful blankets left out for keeping cosy on the sofa. There was a hob for cooking and a microwave and it really felt like a home away from home. The bed was really comfy and we got a brilliant sleep on it. It was freezing outside but the pod was so warm and it was lovely to come back to after a walk around a beautiful part of the country. The owners are absolutely lovely and I would recommend this to everyone!! We'll be back in the summer to take advantage of the little barbecue and the lovely outdoor seating!

I've just returned home today after a 2 night stay with my girls in the Ramblers Rest, and we had a fantastic time. The pods are just immaculate, and very luxurious. The underfloor heating made the pods super cosy. It was like home from home. Loved the personal touches of coffee, tea, fresh milk, shampoo etc. Having wifi was great too. We were so grateful to our hosts, for making our stay just perfect. Thanks to Derek for lighting our fire pit on our last night, so the girls could toast their marshmallows. It was the perfect end to our stay. Good luck with the rest of your plans. Many thanks, and we hope to be back again.

I try the rating once in English. We had a wonderful place to stay with really impressive views.

The pods were very modern.

Thanks also to the numerous tips for the environment.

And a little hint to the host: The new season of Narcos comes in November on Netflix.

Had an amazing stay and couldn’t fault a thing. Pods are really luxurious and have literally everything you need. They even provided tea, coffee, salt, pepper and a pint of milk - we didn’t need to bring a thing, was more similar to a hotel stay than a camping experience. Surprisingly spacious and makes such a difference having underfloor heating and a bathroom in the pod. The sofa bed was very comfortable too, more like a normal bed, which is often not the case. Free WiFi and could even use Netflix, but with such amazing views you don’t need any of this! Derek was a great host, we’ll definitely be back!

Had a great 2 night stay, pod was immaculate, very comfortable, well equipped and was given milk on arrival, stunning views, owners were very friendly and helpful, just a short walk in to Dufftown and lots to do in the surrounding area, would definitely recommend it!