The property
It's rare to find a house that can sleep so many people, in so many lovely bedrooms, in such a private and beautiful location. This is why our owners bought Cortes House: they wanted a spot to escape to with family and friends where everyone could have their own room, but with big enough reception rooms that everyone can cook, eat and enjoy each other's company together. The house makes the ideal self catering breaks for a group getaway. It sleeps up to 30 people in 12 beautiful bedrooms.
Set in Aberdeenshire, Cortes House is easy to access, and with supermarkets within easy reach, it couldn't be easier and more ideal for a self catering spot to escape post-lockdown.
The house might look incredibly grand, but the space is charming and has the feel of a very decadent family home (if maybe with a grander atrium than the usual...)! It is the ideal place to gather together and reconnect.Cortes House was built in 1810 during the Regency period and has a Grade B listing from Historic Scotland. It is a wonderful example of the elegance of the architecture at the time. The house has a number of remarkable architectural features, including a beautiful cupola above an atrium around which the main rooms in the house are located. It was originally at the centre of a 2,000 acre estate which included the largest mountain in the area, Mormond Hill; indeed the house was originally known as Mormond House.
Lonmay village, where Cortes House is located, is actually renowned as the place where Elvis Presley’s ancestors once lived. Lonmay church has a plaque which refers to Andrew Presley, who left Scotland in 1770 to travel to the colonies! The rest, as they say, is history…
The area around Cortes (Cortes actually means “circle” in Celtic) is a favourite with archaeologists (and now Outlander enthusiasts!), with many Celtic stone circles and cairns (stone burial grounds), some of which date back to the Bronze Age (400-700BC). The nearest is at Memsie (2 miles away), and this great cairn (24 metres in diameter and 4 metres high) is the sole survivor of three huge cairns. Another example can be seen at Strichen, where the circle dates back to the second millennium BC.
Cortes was purchased by its current owners in 2002. When they bought it, the house had been converted into seven flats. The central atrium had all been boarded up, and they had a wonderful time lovingly restoring it, and discovering all the hidden features under the boarding. As cornicing and old fireplaces began to appear, they became even more determined to retain these beautiful original features, and have tried hard to give the house a modern flair and sense of character, while keeping it as grand and elegant as ever.
About the location
FRASERBURGH
Peterhead 17 miles; Portsoy 33 miles; Aberdeen 40 miles.
Fraserburgh is situated just along the north east coast from Aberdeen and borders the mouth of the Moray Firth. Whilst it is still a busy fishing port the number of boats has decreased dramatically over the years, although todays boats are far bigger than they were in bygone days. The town itself is a real community with a strong Football team and impressive 18 hole golf course, the 7th oldest club in the world believe it not, established in 1777. With its modern clubhouse vistors are most welcome and can enjoy the bar, dining room and lounge areas that overlook the course and sand dunes. The mueseum of Scottish Lighthouses is based in Fraserburgh and is well worth a visit and gives a real insight to the history of the Lighthouses in the north of Scotland. Fraserburgh is a beautiful seaside town with a rich history and an award winning beach. Inverallochy 18 hole golf course is within walking distance of Fraserburgh. Nearby is the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg which is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK as well as Aden Country Park within easy reach with 230 acres of parkland to enjoy.
Note: Though electricity is included in the rent, electric for charging cars is not included in the rental.
