It was a sad day for some when the much-loved Potarch Hotel closed its doors three years ago – but now locals and visitors from further afield have good reason to cheer.
After sitting empty for almost three years, the hotel was bought by Ballogie Estate Enterprises, who lavished TLC on the building, known locally as “Potties”, and transformed it into a stunning luxury self-catering lodge.
The team’s hard work was awarded recently when Potarch Lodge achieved a five-star Quality Assurance award from VisitScotland.
The lodge, which opened to visitors earlier this year, has a large open-plan kitchen, dining and seating area with a wood-burning stove and a separate, cosy sitting room with an open fireplace. Personal touches to the property include soft furnishings in Ballogie tweed.
Ideal for large families or groups, the lodge has a spacious enclosed private garden with an outside patio area, barbecue, rod store, outdoor equipment storage room and private parking. Other facilities include Wi-Fi, Freeview TV and video/CD, broadband connection, radio, a range cooker and microwave oven, American-style fridge freezer, as well as washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher.
Ballogie Estate has also created a café and restaurant beside the lodge which has been awarded Taste Our Best and is proving very popular with locals and tourists alike.
Taste Our Best is a joint initiative between VisitScotland and the Scottish Government and recognises businesses which not only offer a quality food and drink experience, but include and promote Scottish produce on their menus, to give consumers choice.
Ballogie is a place of stunning natural beauty, lying on the south side of the River Dee on Royal Deeside and popular with fans of field sports and salmon fishing. The lodge is close to Potarch Bridge, famed as the spot where Donald Dinnie first lifted and carried the Dinnie Stanes in 1860. Potarch Lodge is also part of the Anglers, Cyclists, Field Sports and Walkers welcome schemes.
Lewis Gray, property manager at Ballogie Estate Enterprises, said: “We look forward to welcoming visitors to Potarch Lodge to enjoy the property and the facilities available on Ballogie Estate and Royal Deeside. We are confident that our commitment, renovation and redevelopment of Potarch and the surrounding area is beneficial to the local community and provides a welcome boost to the travel and tourism industry in the area.”
For more information, visit www.ballogie-estate.co.uk