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Ballater

In the centre of Royal Deeside, and at the heart of the Snow Roads, is Ballater.  This thriving community makes an ideal place to stop over with natural beauty, a range of amenities and myriad sporting pursuits.  Queen Victoria fell in love with the area and today the royal connection remains strong.  

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.

Queen Victoria fell in love with the area and built Balmoral Castle just outside the village. Today, the royal connection remains strong.  Many of the shop fronts proudly display the Royal Warrant and so you can try some local produce fit for the queen, including a local tipple at Royal Lochnagar Distillery.  In 2018, Prince Charles is set to open a new visitor centre and restaurant in the Old Royal Station as part of a regeneration effort after a severe fire and flooding in 2015 and 2016.


The locals are also known for their gusto in organising events with Victoria Week, The Ballater Games, the Royal Deeside Walking Week and The Ballater Duck Festival firm family favourites.


Surrounded by ancient pine forest and natural beauty spots, such as Loch Muick, Craigendarroch Hill and Lochnagar, there are a host of walking and cycling opportunities as well as myriad sporting pursuits including golf, tennis, 4x4 safaris, wildlife tours, fishing, gliding, climbing, shooting and stalking.

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Area map

Places of interest

The Royal Bridge

The Royal Bridge in Ballater was built in 1885 by two engineers, Jenkins and Marr.  It’s a four-arch bridge with dressed-stone arch rings and pinned ashlar spandrels. 

An inscription explains that the first bridge on the site... read more

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The Royal Bridge

The Old Royal Bridge in Ballater offers views of the River Dee on the South East side of Ballater. It was opened by Queen Victoria in 1885.

Ringing Stone (aka Ringing Stane)

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Ringing Stone (aka Ringing Stane)

The ringing stone near Ballater is a mysterious stone which you can 'play' near Ballater.

Craigendarroch Hill

It overlooks the village of Ballater and can be explored from a path which starts at the local tourist information point.  It's a two and a half mile walk to a viewpoint which overlooks the village and lovely views.  The path has... read more

Craigendarroch Hill
Ballater

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Craigendarroch Hill

Craigendarroch may be a small hill, but it has a big place in the affections of the Ballater folk.

Craigendarroch Hill
Ballater

Cambus O' May

Waymarked routes offer lovely views and winding trails through Scots Pine. 

You can see up Deeside to the mountains beyond as well as lochans, a lovely suspension bridge and towering trees offer wonderful photo... read more

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/cambus-omay

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0300 067 6200

Between Ballater & Dinnet on the A93

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Cambus O' May

Cambus O'May near Ballater is a lovely area which you can visit again and again to enjoy the different seasons.

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/cambus-omay

Email

0300 067 6200

Between Ballater & Dinnet on the A93

The Gairnshiel Bridge

The Gairnshiel Bridge originally formed part of the network of military roads in the region built by General Caulfield.  It now carries the modern A939 public road which follows the line of the older road.

There is an... read more

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The Gairnshiel Bridge

This steeply arched bridge was built in 1751 and crosses the River Gairn with lovely views and photo opportunities.

Ballater

Queen Victoria fell in love with the area and built Balmoral Castle just outside the village. Today, the royal connection remains strong.  Many of the shop fronts proudly display the Royal Warrant and so you can try some local produce... read more

http://www.visitballater.com/

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Ballater

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.

http://www.visitballater.com/

Knock Castle (Ruin)

On the south side of the River Dee, just to the west of Ballater, sit the ruins of Knock Castle. It’s possible to walk to the castle from the village starting from the Old Royal Station. The ruin is a 16th century, four-storey tower house... read more

Knock Castle
Ballater
AB35 5SQ

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Knock Castle (Ruin)

Knock Castle is a four-storey, 16th century ruined tower house located on Knock Hill to the West of Ballater.

Knock Castle
Ballater
AB35 5SQ