The area features beautiful Victorian architecture, including the Old Royal Station, a historic railway station connected to Queen Victoria.
Ballater is a charming village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the Cairngorms National Park.
It is well known for its picturesque setting along the River Dee and its close ties to the British Royal Family, as it is near Balmoral Castle.
Getting There
- By Car: 70 minutes from Aberdeen, along the scenic route through Royal Deeside.
- By Bus: Regular services from Aberdeen and Banchory.
- By Bike: Part of the Deeside Way cycle route.
- Walking: The village centre is compact and easy to walk.
Piper James Cooper plays “I See Mull” outside old Ballater Railway Station by Braemar Media.
Ballater has a range of restaurants, cafes and independent shops.
Eating and Drinking
Shorty’s Ice Cream Parlour – 25 Bridge Street, AB35 5QP
The Bothy – 43 Bridge Street, AB35 5QD
The Balmoral Bar – 1 Netherley Place, AB35 5QE
Fish Shop – Restaurant – 3 Netherley Place, AB35 5QE
Clachan Grill – 5 Bridge Square, AB35 5QJ
The Lochnagar Indian Brasserie – 2 Church Square, AB35 5NE
Rothesay Rooms – Ballater Station, Station Square, AB35 5RB
Orka Artisan Cafe & Bistro – 1 Braemar Road, AB35 5RL
Alexandra Hotel
This small, family-run hotel offers a welcoming atmosphere and serves high-quality homemade dishes that pair well with local real ales in its cosy lounge bar.
📍 12 Bridge Square, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5QJ
🍽️ Restaurant
🍺 Bar
🌐 Website
The Auld Kirk
Recognised as the AA Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2024, the Auld Kirk is a highly acclaimed B&B, holding both an AA 4 Star Gold and a VisitScotland 4 Star rating. It provides comfortable accommodation with en-suite facilities. Dating back to the 1860s, the property is an excellent example of early Victorian Scottish Free Church architecture and sits in the heart of Royal Deeside within the Cairngorms National Park.
The Auld Kirk features seven en-suite bedrooms: two twin rooms (including one family room), four king-sized rooms, and one double room.
Built from local granite, the Auld Kirk sits on the western edge of the historic village of Ballater, with views over Craig en Darroch (the Hill of Oaks) on the route to Braemar. The property is an ideal base for exploring Royal Deeside, Balmoral Castle, and the area’s many walking and climbing opportunities.
📍 31 Braemar Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5RQ
🌐 Website
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- Balmoral Arms
- Celicall Guest House
- Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Craigendarroch Suites Scotland
- Schoolhouse
- St Andrews House
- 1 Golf Mews
Shopping
Caledonian Collectables – 5 Bridge Street, AB35 5QP
Brakeley Gift Room – 14 Bridge Street, AB35 5QP
Wood & Wool -16 Bridge Street, AB35 5QP
Deeside Books & Gifts -18-20 Bridge Street, AB35 5QP
Food and Drink
The Ballater Baker – 8 Golf Road, AB35 5RE
Sheridan’s the Butcher – this award-winning Specialist Butcher also offers top-quality butchery produce through their online store – 11 Bridge Street, AB35 5QP – also in Banchory.
Fish Shop – Fishmonger – 3 Netherley Place, AB35 5QE
Cycling
Cyclehighlands – The Pavilion, Victoria Road, AB35 5QQ
