Smithy Croft

We stayed at Smithy Croft for 7 nights and it was nothing short of amazing! There was 7 adults and 5 kids (from 2 - 7 years old) The lodge set a very high standard from the get go, with a lovely well kept garden and a very spacious drive way, we had 5 cars with us & room for 2 more which you don’t find very often! The lodge itself was very well presented, very clean, organised and equipped with all the amenities you could ask for. Upon entry there is a large cloak room with plenty space for everyone’s multiple shoes and jackets (which is needed for the Scottish weather) as well as room for bags too. The bedrooms were a great size and the kids adored the bunk beds, for sleeping or playing in. The lounge and dining area was very comfy and spacious with a grand dining table with plenty chairs to fit everyone round! The kitchen was a great size for preparing our meals for the week. Every utensil you could think of was there for use. It had one large fridge, one smaller fridge and plenty cupboard space, which we appreciated as we brought a lot of food. The lodge also had 2 baby cots, 2 high chairs and a stair gate available. The laundry room was equipped with everything you needed to keep on top of any cleaning or washing. The garden was loved by all, a great little play park, pirate themed, for the kids and the real boat in this area was a very fun idea! The cooking facilities outside were also spot on, with plenty surface area to prepare a large bbq. There is different areas to sit and relax around the garden as well as a sunken fire pit and a large bench dining table to enjoy your meals outside, while taking in the lovely view of the river behind. The hot tub was another great addition and the cleaner was out midweek for a very quick visit making sure it was all up to standard, which is always good to see. The location of the lodge we found to be one of the best selling points. Just round the corner from the picturesque Carrbridge PackHorse Bridge the setting was lovely, there is also a very nice 30 minute walk or cycle route just up from the lodge called the River Path which loops you around the back of the lodge across the river via suspension bridge, as well as a very short walk to the Spar and lovely local shops, as well as the local play park. Landmark is about a 5 minute walk up the road which is a must visit when up this side of Scotland. We also visited the Highland Wildlife park (another must visit) and 2 kid day outs at a Farm and Soft play in Inverness, which are all around 30 minute drives from the lodge. We are already looking to book this lodge again and have recommended it to friends and family! 10/10 stay, thank you Great North Lodges for sharing this amazing place and all the great little touches made it even better!

Smithy Croft is a truly charming and beautifully styled lodge, set within lovely grounds in an excellent location. The accommodation is finished to a high standard, with thoughtful details and unique features that give the property a real sense of luxury. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay - the beds were incredibly comfortable, the living space was warm and cosy with the log fire, and the open-plan kitchen and dining area made it perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Even in snowy, stormy weather, the hot tub was a real highlight! We loved our stay so much that we’re already planning our return. Great North Lodges were excellent to deal with - responsive, friendly and genuinely helpful throughout. Highly recommended.

This is the third time we have stayed here for the week over the New Year, and will be coming back next year to stay again this Christmas in 2026. The Lodge has everything you need and is in a great location in the centre of Carrbridge. Plenty of seating for a large family (there was 7 of us) and very comfortable. We're always there in the winter and despite the cold outside it's warm inside! Very festive with the Christmas/New Year period and there's a shop and petrol station in the village with a great pub and restaurant (The Cairn Hotel). Our party had a great stay and very happy to return! Aviemore is a 10 min drive and Inverness 30 mins. Lots to do and see and we do something different every time we come. Only criticism is the bedding is now somewhat older and greying. The sheets on my bed had holes but everything was clean just not good to look at. As mentioned, we will be back again next Christmas and we're all looking forward to it! Steve