Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3.45pm Sat & Sun Nov-Mar; )
is famous for its Jacobean painted ceilings, magnifi-
cently carved canopied beds and the 'Horn of Leys', presented to the Burnett family by
Robert the Bruce in the 14th century. The beautiful formal
gardens
include 300-year-old
yew hedges and colourful herbaceous borders. The castle is signposted off the A93.
BALLATER
POP 1450
The attractive little village of Ballater owes its 18th-century origins to the curative waters
of nearby Pannanich Springs (now bottled commercially as Deeside Natural Mineral
Water) and its prosperity to nearby Balmoral Castle.
The
tourist office
(
01339-755306; Station Sq; 9am-6pm Jul & Aug, 10am-5pm
Sep-Jun)
is in the Old Royal Station. For internet access, go to
Cybernaut
(
01339-755566; 2 Braemar Rd; per 15min £1; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat).
Sights & Activities
When Queen Victoria travelled to Balmoral Castle she would alight from the royal train at
Ballater's
Old Royal Station
(
01339 755306; Station Sq; admission £2; 9am-6pm
Jul & Aug, 10am-5pm Sep-Jun)
. The station has been beautifully restored and now houses
the tourist office, a cafe and a museum with a replica of Victoria's royal coach. Note the
crests on the shop fronts along the main street proclaiming 'By Royal Appointment' - the
village is a major supplier of provisions to Balmoral.
Also on Station Sq is
Dee Valley Confectioners
(
01339-755499;
www.dee-val-
where you can drool over the manufacture of traditional Scottish sweeties.
As you approach Ballater from the east the hills start to close in, and there are many
pleasant
walks
in the surrounding area. The steep woodland walk up
Craigendarroch
(400m) takes just over one hour.
Morven
(871m) is a more serious prospect, taking about
six hours, but offers good views from the top; ask at the tourist office for more info.
You can hire bikes from
CycleHighlands
(
www.cyclehighlands.com
; The Pavilion,
Victoria Rd; bicycle hire per day £16; 9am-6pm)
, which also offers guided bike rides
and advice on local trails, and
Cabin Fever
(
01339-54004; Station Sq; bicycle hire per
2hr £8; 9am-6pm)
, which can also arrange pony trekking, quad-biking, clay-pigeon
shooting or canoeing.
