| Railway Cottage

Wildlife on the doorstep. Adventure just beyond it.

Amenities | Location | Interiors | Garden | Reviews | Book Now

Railway Cottage sits in a rather special spot, with the wide, open landscape of Insh Marshes stretching out opposite and the Monadhliath Mountains rising beyond. It's a place where the view is never quite the same twice, changing with the weather, the light and the comings and goings of wildlife across the marshes.

Just a short drive from Aviemore, Railway Cottage is a cosy, dog-friendly self-catering cottage nestled between the river Spey and Balavil Estate. With two king-size bedrooms, a wood-burning stove and a large garden, it's a comfortable base for couples and small families exploring the Cairngorms National Park.

Sleeps 4

Cosy living room with a lit wood-burning stove at Railway Cottage, a self-catering cottage in the Cairngorms.
Double bedroom with dark blue walls, mustard bedspread and colourful contemporary artwork.
View across Insh Marshes towards the Cairngorm mountains from Railway Cottage, a self-catering cottage at Balavil.
Cottage kitchen sink beneath a window overlooking the surrounding Highland countryside.
Double bed with mustard throw, pink cushions and warm bedside lighting.
Light-filled living room with grey sofa, vintage rug and an eclectic gallery wall.
View from Railway Cottage across Insh Marshes and the surrounding Cairngorm landscape.
Garden at Railway Cottage with mature trees and outdoor seating with firepit in the evening sunshine.
Golden evening light reflected on the water at Insh Marshes in the Cairngorms.
Characterful cottage kitchen with wooden cabinets, open shelves and white tiled walls.
Railway Cottage at Balavil, a traditional single-storey holiday cottage overlooking Insh Marshes in the Cairngorms.
Country-style kitchen with wooden cabinetry, open shelving, range cooker and white metro tiles.
Cottage dining area with wooden table, wicker chairs and windows overlooking the countryside.
Bright cottage bathroom with rolltop bath, white tiled walls and patterned floor.
Warm pink double bedroom at Railway Cottage, a two-bedroom self-catering cottage near Aviemore.
Bright double bedroom with soft pink walls, white bedding and colourful artwork above the bed.
Double bedroom with deep blue walls, mustard bedding and views towards Insh Marshes.
Dark blue double bedroom reflected in a large antique-style gold mirror.
Autumn landscape across Insh Marshes near Railway Cottage in the Cairngorms National Park.
Snow-covered Cairngorm mountains viewed across the wetlands of Insh Marshes.
Flock of geese on the wetlands at Insh Marshes, opposite Railway Cottage.
Colourful arrangement of flowers adding a homely detail inside Railway Cottage.
White dressing gown hanging beside warm bedside lighting in one of the double bedrooms.
Crisp white bed linen, mustard cushion and vintage bedside furniture in the blue bedroom.
Calm water reflecting the wooded hills at Insh Marshes in the Cairngorms.
View through the doorway into the warm pink double bedroom at Railway Cottage. Shelving with lots of board games and books for guests.
Double bedroom with a turquoise vintage chest of drawers and soft pink walls.
Vintage framed photograph and decorative antler displayed inside Railway Cottage.
Open wooden kitchen shelves displaying copper pans, vintage pieces and kitchenware.
Bright living and dining room at Railway Cottage, a self-catering holiday cottage overlooking Insh Marshes.
Traditional bathroom with freestanding bath, high-level toilet and white metro tiles.
Traditional chrome taps on the freestanding bath at Railway Cottage.
A snowy landscape with a horse standing behind a fence in the foreground. Snow-covered trees and houses are in the middle ground, and snow-capped mountains and a cloudy sky are in the background.
Landscape with snow-covered ground, distant mountains, scattered trees, and a sky with partly cloudy weather during sunset; three horses grazing and one horse seen from behind in the foreground.
Glass of water, glass of wine, and a yellow glass pitcher on a wooden table outside with a landscape of trees and hills in the background.
A house with a stone exterior, blue door, and black shingle roof under a partly cloudy sky with trees in the background.
Close-up of a decorative glass seahorse table leg next to a white cabinet on patterned tile flooring.
An outdoor scene showing a lawn, a paved patio area, and a stone house with a window and a bench. There is a weathered fence and some bushes in the foreground, and fields and trees in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
Scenic landscape of distant mountains with snow on the peaks, under a sky with a gradient from pinkish near the horizon to blue higher up, taken during twilight or early evening.

Select dates in our calendar to view rates and availability.

Amenities

Railway Cottage is comfortably furnished for both short breaks and longer stays, with a wood-burning stove, well-equipped kitchen and everything you need for a relaxed self-catering holiday in the Cairngorms.

Key features include:

  • Two double bedrooms with king-size beds

  • Egyptian cotton bed linen, woollen blankets and dressing gowns

  • Bathroom with roll-top bath and shower

  • Towels and complimentary toiletries

  • Hairdryer

  • Wood-burning stove

  • Complimentary basket of firewood to get you started

  • 40" Smart TV with Netflix and catch-up TV

  • Bluetooth stereo

  • Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, fridge-freezer, wine cooler, ceramic hob and double oven/grill

  • Kitchen essentials including cooking oil, salt and pepper

  • Household essentials including toilet paper, dishwasher tablets and matches

  • Books about the Cairngorms, walking and local wildlife

  • Selection of board games

  • Wi-Fi

  • Travel cot and high chair available upon request

  • Parking for two cars

  • Large garden with decking, outdoor dining, BBQ and fire pit

Railway Cottage is dog friendly

Railway Cottage welcomes dogs and is ideally placed for exploring the Cairngorms National Park on foot, with woodland, riverside and open countryside nearby.

Looking for somewhere to walk? Explore our guide to dog-friendly walks in the Cairngorms.

Please note: the garden at Railway Cottage is not fully enclosed, so dogs should be supervised while outside.

The location

 

Railway Cottage sits in a wonderfully open, rural setting near Kincraig, just south of Aviemore, where the landscape begins to slow and the Cairngorms stretch out around you.

Directly opposite the cottage lies RSPB Insh Marshes, one of the most important wetland nature reserves in the Cairngorms National Park. Part of the River Spey floodplain, its seasonal wetlands, winding channels and wide-open views create a remarkable landscape for walking and wildlife watching.

Mornings here begin quietly, with big skies and the subtle movement of birds across the marshes, yet Aviemore's cafés, shops, restaurants and outdoor activities are only a short drive away.

From the cottage, you can enjoy:

  • Gentle walks and wildlife watching straight from the doorstep

  • Easy access to walking and cycling routes, including sections of the Speyside Way, and wild swimming spots

  • Quiet back roads, open countryside and forest tracks nearby

  • Short drives to Aviemore, Kincraig and surrounding Highland villages

  • Some of the Strathspey area’s top attractions, such as the Highland Wildlife Park and Highland Folk museum, are just a bike ride or short drive away.

It's an ideal base for slow mornings, long walks and outdoor adventures, whether you're visiting the Cairngorms for a weekend break or a longer holiday.

A note about the railway

As its name suggests, Railway Cottage sits beside a working railway line. Trains pass at intervals throughout the day and evening and many guests, particularly families with young children, enjoy watching them whizz by.

The bedrooms are positioned on the far side of the cottage, away from the railway line. You can also read our guest testimonials to hear what previous visitors have said about staying at Railway Cottage.

The interiors

Railway Cottage combines rustic Highland character with modern comfort. Vintage finds, original artwork and industrial touches sit alongside comfortable contemporary furnishings, giving the cottage a relaxed, individual feel rather than that of a typical holiday let.

At the heart of the living room is the wood-burning stove, particularly welcome after a winter walk in the Cairngorms, while both king-size bedrooms are designed to feel calm and comfortable. The vintage-inspired bathroom, with its roll-top bath, offers the perfect place for a long soak after a day outdoors.

The Garden

Step outside to discover a large, rustic garden that reflects the natural beauty of the surrounding environment. The garden offers a decking area equipped with outdoor dining space, a BBQ, and a fire pit—ideal for al fresco meals and evening gatherings. Nature enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of wildlife that frequents the area, making it a perfect spot for bird-watching and immersing oneself in the tranquillity of the Highlands.

Ready for a stay at Railway Cottage?

Check availability and book your stay

Planning your stay?

Explore Discover Cairngorms for our favourite walks, places to eat and things to see and do across the National Park.