A Victorian village nestled in the Cairngorms
The Victorian village of Ballater, sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, within the Cairngorm National Park.
Ballater is 43 miles west of Aberdeen and Balmoral castle is 7 miles to the east. Balmoral castle has been the Royal Family’s Scottish home since 1852. Many of the shops within the village display Royal Warrants awarded by the Royal Family to local businesses for providing services of a high standard to the castle.
Surrounded by beautiful, wooded hills, Ballater owes its initial growth to the renown of its health-giving mineral waters which led to its development as a fashionable spa during the 19th-century. The many nearby hills, including Craigendarroch, Craig Coillich and Lochnager which rises to 1155m, make it a popular base for walkers.
Local shops and restaurants
Ballater supplies the royal castle at Balmoral and hence visitors will notice numerous shops displaying signs announcing, ‘By Royal Appointment’. It has a wealth of local businesses and you will find, to name a few – coffee shops, ice cream parlour, hardware store, gift shops, book shop, delicatessen, art galleries, clothes and household wares, plus a chemist, jewellery shop, fishing and outdoor clothing store, two cycle shops and convenience stores. There is also a large variety of restaurants and bars, serving traditional Scottish cuisine as well as Chinese, Italian, Indian and Fish and Chips, both sit in and takeaway.
Ballater can be reached by car and is also served by the Stagecoach 201 bus service hourly.
Ballater’s history
Prior to 1700 Ballater was a small agricultural community. The town’s modern history dates from the 18th century when the development of the health-giving wells at Pannanich, on the South side of the River Dee, attracted a major influx of visitors and led to Ballater’s expansion as a spa centre. The subsequent arrival of the railway in 1866, and the proximity to the royal castle at Balmoral, assured the town’s prosperity.
The traditional rural economy is based on agriculture and forestry. Tourism also plays a significant role with the Royal connection to Balmoral, the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms, and the numerous castles and attractions in the area. What’s astounding about Ballater is that it is still a small thriving rural community with a wealth of facilities that caters for locals and visitors alike.
Activities and events
Ballater is a thriving small town with a great sense of community, which is evident by the number of activities and events held throughout the year. See links below:
- The Great Outdoor Challenge
- Ballater Walking Festival
- Ballater Farmers Market
- Ballater Bonfire Night
- Ballater Winter Festival
- Mucklefest
