Ballater is a lovely village set on the banks of the River Dee amid the glorious scenery of the Cairngorms National Park. Take the Whisky Trail or the Castle trail to visit the many points of interest locally. Enjoy a game of golf at the local course or a game of tennis. Or maybe you want to take in your surroundings and enjoy the various walks in and around the countryside. There is still so much more that Ballater can offer you.
CAIRNGORMS
The Cairngorms are a focal point of the Scottish landscape and contains so much for one to do at any time of the year. Whether you are a hillwalker, dogwalker, mountaineer, birdwatcher or an all-round adventurer, these mountains offer so much to so many different types of people. Scotland’s winter sports industry is concentrated in the Cairngorms.
BALMORAL CASTLE
Being one of the many residences of the Royal Family since 1852, Balmoral Castle is a beautiful building against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. Rumoured to have been a mere hunting lodge owned by King Robert the II between 1316-90, the land has passed through many high profile owners. The Castle is open to the public for a part of the year and the off-road Landrover Safaris are highly recommended.
THE WHISKY TRAIL
Follow the Whisky Trail from Royal Lochnagar Distillery adjacent to Balmoral over the Lecht to the Speyside distilleries most of which are open to the public and sample the wide range of whisky.
BALLATER
Ballater is a small burgh on Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire lying on the banks of the River Dee and in the shadow of Lochnagar in the Cairngorms. First developed as a spa to serve those visiting Pannanich Wells to partake of the “healing” waters, Ballater is one of the few planned towns in Scotland. It is approx. 8 miles from Balmoral and has many Royal connections including the display of Royal Crests above the shops supplying the castle when the Royal family are in residence.
BALLATER GOLF COURSE
If golf is your passion, Ballater’s very own golf course lies just west of the town– not far from our cottages. Founded in 1892 as a nine hole course, it grew to an impressive 18 by 1905, offering a challenging experience for novices and veterans alike. The Club House provides bar and catering services.
THE LECHT
Situated in the heart of Scotland’s biggest National Park, the Lecht is a hub for all winter sports. With skiing, snowboarding and walking, the Lecht offers everything one can possibly need to make the most of the snow. In the summer, the Lecht becomes a focus for bikers, for it provides two downhill mountain trails that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
& MUCH MORE
With a good number of eating places, the town of Ballater becomes your base for many adventures. Why not visit Crathie Kirk? Go horse riding at Glen Tanar. Try the Deeside Activity Centre at Dess or the Transport Museum at Alford and be sure not to miss out on Grampian & Cairngorms Wildlife Services.
