Ballater

Overview

Ballater is an attractive town close to Balmoral Castle and a good base for walking and sightseeing in Royal Deeside.

Situated in the east of the Cairngorms National Park, Ballater is the nearest town to Balmoral Castle, which explains the many 'By Royal Appointment' signs that you'll see on local shops and businesses.

A planned agricultural town dating back to the 1800s, Ballater boasts many small speciality shops and small, friendly hotels and guest houses. The Old Royal Railway Station is a fabulously restored landmark that houses a tourist information centre and displays on its 100 year history as the station where the Royal Family alighted for their Scottish holidays. Don't miss the unique Royal Waiting Room built for Queen Victoria and the Royal Train Carriage.

A few miles to the south lies wild Loch Muick and the legendary mountain of 'dark Lochnagar' made famous by Lord Byron and Prince Charles who wrote a children's book about 'The Old Man of Lochnagar'. Here you may well spot red deer, golden eagles and grouse on the eight-mile footpath around the loch.