Victorian lodge surrounded by some of Scotland’s finest scenery goes on sale
Anyone who has hiked to Corrie Fee will have passed a handsome Victorian lodge on the way. Set on a hillside and partially screened by trees, the former shooting lodge is surrounded by some of the finest scenery in the Angus Glens.
Nestled at the foot of the 2,842ft Craig Mellon and encircled by Glendoll Forest, Glen Doll Lodge is an idyllic retreat for anyone looking to escape the bustle of everyday life.
Dating from 1872, Glen Doll Lodge was originally built as a Victorian hunting lodge. In the late 19th century it made Scottish legal history when the estate owner attempted to restrict public access to his land.
This led local shepherd Jock Winter to spearhead a legal challenge that went all the way to the House of Lords, resulting in a landmark victory for public access rights.
Today, thousands of people walk the 15-mile Jock’s Road from Glen Doll to Braemar each year, with some choosing to stay at the charming bothy known as Davy’s Bourach.
During the 20th century, Glen Doll Lodge served as a youth hostel before returning to private ownership.
Its current owner, Tom Dailey, bought the property 10 years ago. Initially using it as a retreat for family and friends, he converted the main house and adjoining cottage into holiday accommodation four years ago. The eight-bedroom lodge sleeps up to 16 guests, while the two-bedroom cottage accommodates a further four.
Tom has carried out numerous improvements to the house. The most significant was combining three rooms to create an impressive dining room capable of seating all 20 guests staying across the lodge and cottage.
He has also renovated the main upstairs bathroom, upgraded many of the en suites, undertaken extensive replumbing and rewiring, installed a new water tank and fitted a modern fire alarm system. New central heating boilers and a backup generator ensure guests are not left without power should a storm bring down the electricity supply.
A long driveway branches off the trail leading to Corrie Fee and Jock’s Road, winding through woodland and a set of gates before arriving at a spacious gravel parking area in front of the lodge.
Inside, a flagstone entrance hall leads to a generous double-aspect sitting room, complete with oxblood Chesterfield-style sofas and a wood-burning stove. Next door is a games room with a pool table and video games, while the kitchen features a Rayburn and a central island.
When I visit on a Monday morning, the three-person housekeeping team is enjoying a well-earned cup of tea and a biscuit before beginning another changeover.
“You really need to see the house when it’s fully occupied,” Tom says. “It’s a place that really comes to life when it’s full of people.”
The ground floor also includes a WC, laundry room and office.
Upstairs are eight bedrooms, six with en suite bathrooms, along with a spacious family bathroom. Each bedroom is named after a local mountain or landmark.
The attached cottage comprises a living room with a wood-burning stove and a kitchen on the ground floor, with two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.
Much of the furniture across the two properties was sourced from from Abacus Antiques in Forfar, with other pieces – such as the four-poster beds – being custom made to look vintage.
Tom is an automotive fanatic and his love of cars and motorsports is reflected in the artwork and décor. There’s even a set of overalls and a racing helmet in the games room.
He has tried to make bookings at Glen Doll Lodge as flexible as possible.
“The cottage and main house can be booked separately or together,” he explains. “We can also partition off part of the main house to create a three-bedroom option, allowing us to accommodate smaller groups.”
The grounds include a decked seating area that enjoys sunshine for much of the day, while the cottage has its own private courtyard.
Then there’s one of the property’s most intriguing features: an outbuilding containing what is believed to be Scotland’s first squash court.
Although no longer playable and now used for storage, many original features remain, including the timber flooring, court markings and the tin strip that signalled when the ball was out. A wrought-iron spiral staircase leads to a viewing gallery where spectators once watched matches unfold.
It’s a fascinating slice of Scottish sporting history and, with some restoration, the court could potentially be brought back into use. A former stone bothy provides additional storage and could also offer scope for conversion into further accommodation.
In total, Glen Doll Lodge sits within around 0.6 acres of grounds—a far cry from the 10,000-acre estate it once overlooked. The relatively modest plot makes maintenance straightforward, however, and with one of Scotland’s most spectacular national parks on the doorstep, there’s little need for a sprawling garden.
Few homes can boast such dramatic surroundings. Beyond the sheltering trees, rugged peaks and rocky corries rise on three sides, while the lodge sits just above the confluence of the White Water Burn and the River South Esk.
Despite its wonderfully remote feel, Glen Doll Lodge is far from isolated.
“Kirriemuir is only half an hour away,” Tom says. “And despite how spread out the homes are here, there’s a real sense of community in this part of Scotland.”
After a decade of ownership, Tom has decided the time is right to pass the lodge on. It is being sold as a going concern, with its contents, furnishings and future bookings included.
“Of course, whoever buys it can turn it back into a home if they want to,” he says, “but I’d quite like to see it continue as a holiday retreat. It’s a lovely place to come and unwind.”
Glen Doll Lodge is on the market with Savills at offers over £875,000.
This article appeared in the Courier on 10 July 2026