A Charming Period Family Cottage On The Edge Of The Cairngorms National Park

About Fiona Howard

The next generation has taken on the mantle of caring for Winters Cottage. Our grandparents moved from Scotland to Warwickshire in the 1930s. We three ‘Winter’ sisters live in South Warwickshire and manage the cottage as a holiday destination, project managing the maintenance and restoration with care. Black ranges, box beds in the kitchen and oil lamps have all gone. Babies are no longer born at the cottage – our children no longer walk across the field to the primary school by the river at Cortachy. But this bothy still holds a special place in our hearts. We have passed our love of the cottage to our children and the next generation – the 7th in line – are now enjoying the magic of this special place. History repeats itself. How wonderful to know that some things don’t change.

Fiona Howard purchased this Cottage in 1860

Why Fiona Howard chose Kirriemuir

In 1860 James Winter moved to the cottage from his father’s farm in Glen Prosen where he raised 5 children with his wife Eliza. He opened a post office and drapers store to sell linen from his business in Laurencekirk in what is now the kitchen/morning room. We can just remember the mahogany shop counter, wooden floors and open fire in the 1950s. The shop closed in the late 50s but we still have mementos of times gone by, including hand made linen, Victorian furniture and books, a family bible and a clock given by Peter Pan author J M Barrie to his sister who married cousin William. The cottage was handed down the generations to our father Donald and on to our generation. We are proud caretakers for generations to come and we hope you love the cottage as much as we do!

What makes this Cottage unique

Really easy to reach yet set in glorious highland scenery. At Perth you’ll soon be there. See the Grampian mountains coming into view. By Kirriemuir look out for Peter Pan; that’s where he comes from and he’s never grown up! Can you see the red squirrels or deer feeding by the castle? Through the woods, over the river and up to Dykehead. You’re there and only 15 minutes since you left a different world. Sit under the verandah with a cup of tea and gaze at the wonderful view. It’s great to be back. Riverside walks, cycling, fishing, golf and the glens on your doorstep. Visit historic houses and castles such as Glamis, birthplace of the Queen Mother. Ski at Glenshee or visit the Braemar games or Balmoral Castle, Scottish home of the Royal Family. Walk the coastal path or picnic at Lunan Bay 35 minutes away. Visit historic Perth, St Andrews or Dundee, city of Scott’s ‘Discovery’ voyage to the Antarctic. THE NEW V & A MUSEUM OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2018. FUNDAMENTAL TO THE V & A IS ITS ROLE IN PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF BRITISH DESIGN AND IN PARTICULAR, SCOTLAND. RICH HERITAGE, CHARACTERIZED BY CREATIVITY, CRAFT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EMERGE FROM THE SUPERLATIVE COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS. THE CATERAN TRAIL - one of Scotland’s great trails, is a fully waymarked 64 mile route through Perthshire and the Angus glens. It follows old drove roads and ancient tracks across farmland, forests and moors. The Caterans were fearsome cattle thieves who raided the glens from the Middle Ages to the 17th century (ref James Winter who fought at the Battle of Saughs - see Winter family tree in Winters Cottage). Stage 4 of the 5 stages is nearest the cottage - Kirkton of Glenisla to Alyth. Call in to the Glenisla Hotel for lunch/refreshments.