Weekend pass: Cortes House

FAMILY gatherings are all well and good, but where do you actually put everyone? It might be fun for the kids to muck in on blow-up beds, but those of us of a more, ahem, mature disposition don't really want to spend the night on a li-lo. If only you just had a bigger house, with loads more bedrooms, a big dining room and a huge kitchen to help you cater for everyone. Imagine no more. Cortes House near Fraserburgh is a fabulous Regency mansion that sleeps 24 comfortably. More than enough for most families.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

From Edinburgh we took the M90/A92. Cortes is just before you hit Fraserburgh and the house itself is well signposted from the main road. Alternatively, it's only 35 miles from Aberdeen airport.

WHAT'S THE FOOD LIKE?

Well, that's pretty much down to you. Marina, the housekeeper, can be persuaded to cater for your party, but most people cook for themselves. The large kitchen, with its enormous oak table and benches, is brilliantly equipped. As well as the double ovens, large hob and big fridges there are two sinks and two dishwashers – unbelievably handy when you're dealing with a large group. There is also a large barbecue area around the side of the house in the secret garden.

BED TEST

Take your pick. Cortes House can sleep up to 30 people, if you add on the basement apartment. Set around an airy atrium, the first floor has four large en-suite bedrooms and a further two bedrooms, each with a designated bathroom. On the next floor are four more bedrooms – two of them family rooms. One of these even has a child's play house built into the eaves. Each of the rooms has a name and a theme personal to the owners. They are all decorated to an exceptionally high standard, with the bathrooms having their own individual features – from multi-jet showers to corner baths with fires in the room.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

There was one complaint from nearly everyone in our party – that they had to leave.

OUT AND ABOUT

Fraserburgh is only five miles away, but there's really not a lot of reason to leave the house and grounds. Aside from the outdoor games available (chess and archery were particular favourites), there is also a large adventure playground at the side of the house. And if the weather isn't that great – as if that would happen in Scotland – inside there's the well-stocked library, table tennis and even a large private cinema.

LITTLE EXTRAS

From the play house in the eaves to the cinema in the basement, the whole house is crammed with treats.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Cortes House is available for weeks and weekends starting from 2,000 (excluding VAT). To make a reservation or for further details e-mail [email protected], or call 0845 0574211.

This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday, January 17, 2010