In the centre of Royal Deeside, and at the heart of the SnowRoads, is Ballater. As the largest village on the eastern side of the Cairngorms National Park, this thriving community makes for an ideal place to stop over with a range of accommodation options.
The mountainous village of Braemar, part of Royal Deeside, is a great base for adventure or relaxation on the SnowRoads. There’s an abundance of well-signposted, low-level walking which makes it a wonderful place for ramblers, who can look out at the many hills which surround the village and enjoy some sustenance in the cafes and restaurants.
Alyth is a small and friendly village east of Blairgowrie which is home to walking routes, golfing, hidden gems and Alyth Museum which is open in the summer.
Sitting on the banks of the River Ericht, Blairgowrie offers access to year-round facilities and an ideal place to begin or end your SnowRoads adventure.
The Bridge of Cally is a small village centred round the bridge over the River Ardle and sits at the junction of three glens, Glenshee, Strathardle and Glenericht. It offers amenities as well as further access to walking and the The Cateran Trail.
The Packhorse bridge provides a picturesque location for a picnic and a lovely photo opportunity.
A walk off of the West Avonside Path will take you to this underground chamber, thought to be used to house an illicit whisky still.
A pleasant short walk from the car park takes you to the isolated site of the Lecht Mine, a former iron and manganese mining site.
Well of the Lecht
Between the Lecht and Tomintoul
This historic kirkyard is said to be the first church in Scotland dedicated to St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.
Braemar Kirkyard, Braemar, Scotland
The Oakbank Mill is a three-storey derelict mill building which sits on the banks of the River Ericht at Blairgowrie.
Oakbank Road, Blairgowrie