Ballater Visitor Guide

Visitor Guide to Ballater

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

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

Accommodation in Ballater

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

📌 Check Prices & Availability

🍽️ Restaurant

🍺 Bar

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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 representation of early Victorian Scottish Free Church architecture and is situated 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.

Constructed from local granite, the Auld Kirk is located on the western edge of the historic village of Ballater, with views over Craig en Darroch (the Hill of Oaks) on the route towards Braemar. The property serves as an ideal base for exploring the attractions of Royal Deeside, Balmoral Castle, and the many walking and climbing opportunities in the area.

📍 31 Braemar Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5RQ

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🍽️ Afternoon Tea

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📱 X

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Shopping

Caledonian Collectibles – 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

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