About Ballater
With its excellent shops (many by Royal Appointment) inns and restaurants Ballater is a thriving village
with lots to offer. The Old Royal Station is home to the Tourist Information Centre and to an exhibition celebrating the villages’ links with Royalty.
The centre of Ballater is dominated by the Glenmuick Parish Church. Although the church carries a stone dated 1798 most or all of what you see today dates from 1874.
The outdoor sporting enthusiast will find it difficult to choose from a wide selection of activities: Golf, hill walking,
cycling (local hire) canoeing and fishing are only a few to mention.
Local Visitor Attractions
Visit BallaterLink to visit ballater.com
Forestry Commission
The government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands.
Walk highlands
The award-winning online guide to walking and the outdoors for the Highlands of Scotland.
Ballater - Royal Deeside Walking Festival
Royal Deeside, in the eastern Cairngorms National Park, starts at the western end of the Dee Valley and follows the majestic River Dee from Braemar, scene of the world famous Highland Games, down past Balmoral,
Ballater and Aboyne to Banchory in the east. The area contains some of the finest mountain and glen country in Scotland - ideal for a walking break.
Royal Deeside - Walks near Ballater
In common with all the towns and villages of Royal Deeside,
Ballater is surrounded by lovely countryside which is ideal for those interested in walking. But because the town sits in a valley with a relatively flat base and quite
steep sides the range of walks from easy to difficult is quite remarkable.
Walk Deeside - Outdoor Activities and Walking Holidays
Walk Deeside provide a wide variety of different activities
from walking sessions to corporate teambuilding days.
Fish Dee Website
The River Dee is internationally famous for its salmon fishing,
and especially so for its multi-sea winter spring salmon, with anglers coming from all over the world to fish it. In addition
to the increasing run of spring fish, the river also provides some excellent summer fishing for salmon, grilse and sea trout.
Cycle Highlands
The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) has recently awarded
Scotland the Worlds’ top mountain bike destination for the second year running. Ballater, Royal Deeside lives up to this accolade and is
an ideal location from which to explore natural trails and various purpose-built centres.
Aberdeen Woods cycle path
The six woodlands which collectively make up the Aberdeen Woods encircle the
City of Aberdeen and provide opportunities for excercise and recreation away from the stress of the city streets. Each wood has its own individual character,
and is keenly supported by its own 'locals'!
Black Hallforest cycle path
This long thin forest which stretches from the River Dee up to the summit of the Hill of Goach and the Hill of Tillylair has much involvement from the local
communities. The eastern end of the forest is Scolty Woodland Park, which has many waymarked trails.
Fettereso Forest cycle path
This huge forest has forest walks and forest trails and is very popular
with people doing long sponsored walks and endurance horse rides. Three right-of-ways cross the forest, following the old Mounth roads. Deer, foxes and raptors
within the forest, as well as the smaller birds and animals such as voles and tree-creepers.
The Durris Forest cycle path
The Durris Forest is made of the Durris Forest itself and several
smaller outlying woods. Most of these small woods do not have waymarked routes, but walkers are welcome in all the woods. The community group Friends of Durris
Forests are actively involved in the management of Durris.
Hilton Craigendarroch
The local Hilton Hotel offers a health and beauty spa, Fitness Centre as well as a Lagoon style swimming pool. Check with the hotel as there is usually a “Dip and Dine”
Deal, which offers a swim and a meal at discounted rates.
Aboyne Swimming Pool
Aboyne Swimming Pool is based on the site of Aboyne Academy,
and offers an excellent range of sporting and social facilities, within a friendly and welcoming environment.
The Centre is home to a range of sports clubs and specialises in offering a comprehensive programme of swimming lessons for all ages and abilities.
The Braemar Gathering
While there have been Gatherings of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of
King Malcolm Canmore, nine hundred years ago, the Gathering has been run by BRHS since 1832 and by BRHG Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, since 2002.
However during much of that time large crowds have come each year to acclaim their Monarch as Chieftain of the Braemar Gathering.
Glenshee Ski Centre
Glenshee's impressive 20 lifts and 36 runs offer an amazing diversity of natural terrain for all standards
of skiers and snowboarders.
Alford Ski Centre
Alford Ski Centre Alford ski centre is situated in the picturesque Howe of Alford,
surrounded by the beautiful hillside of Benachie and Donside.
Aboyne Loch Water Skiing
The picturesque Loch of Aboyne is the real home of the Aberdeen Water Ski Club where a volunteer committee supports the
club on the behalf of the thriving membership.
Deeside Activity Centre
Activities, attractions and places to visit in Scotland, United Kingdom.
The Lecht
Lecht 2090 is at 2090 feet above sea level amid the beauty of the Eastern Cairngorms. This natural playground offers
a host of exciting outdoor activities
Nevis Range
Nevis Range offers the highest skiing in Scotland , with a great record for good snow-conditions running late into the season. Situated in the shadow of Ben Nevis ,
the pistes have a stunning backdrop with some of the most spectacular views that any of the Scottish Ski Areas have to offer!
Aviemore Ski School
Aviemore Ski school offers a host of services for Skiiers of all abilities.
Ballater Golf Club
Situated in Ballater, this course offers breathtaking scenery, as well as a challenging round of golf.
Aboyne Golf Club
A long-established golf club, whose 18-hole course blends into the rolling countryside to the north of the Deeside village of
Aboyne, offers an especially warm welcome to visitors.
Braemar Golf Club
Braemar is the highest 18 hole golf course in Britain at around 1,200 feet above sea level.The greens are amongst the finest in the area and the course is very popular
with holiday makers and golfing societies.
