Why go
- Village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
- Known for Craigievar Castle, castles, Cairngorms National Park, Abergeldie Castle.
- 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Balmoral Castle.
- Served by Aboyne Airfield.
History
Ballater is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the River Dee, immediately east of the Cairngorm Mountains. Situated at an elevation of 213 metres, Ballater is a centre for hikers and known for its spring water, once said to cure scrofula. It is home to more than 1400 inhabitants and has had a long connection with the British royal family.
Must-see attractions
Outdoor
11 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Where to stay
The Manse Courtyard, Crathie, Ballater AB35 5UL, United Kingdom · crathieholidays.org.uk
37 Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5RQ, United Kingdom · glenernanguesthouse.com
Ballater AB35 5XB, United Kingdom · gairnshiel.com
Rhu-Na-Haven Rd, Aboyne AB34 5JD, United Kingdom · lys-na-greyne.com
Scotsbank, Strathdon AB36 8UR, United Kingdom · sweetdonsidecabins.com
Craggan, Bridge of Gairn, Ballater AB35 5TY, United Kingdom · cragganballater.co.uk
56 Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5UX, United Kingdom · darrochlearg.co.uk
TORBEG, Glen Gairn, Torbeg, Ballater AB35 5XL, United Kingdom · howeoftorbeg.co.uk
45 Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5RQ, United Kingdom · no45.co.uk
46a Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5RQ, United Kingdom · standrews-house.com
Anderson Rd, Ballater AB35 5QW, United Kingdom · ballatercaravanpark.com
2 Salisbury Rd, Ballater AB35 5QY, United Kingdom · pathandpinehideaways.co.uk
Tarland, Aboyne AB34 4UL, United Kingdom · dounesidehouse.co.uk
Glengairn, Ballater AB35 5UQ, United Kingdom · gairnshiel.com
Cambus O May Hotel, Ballater AB35 5SE, United Kingdom · cambusomay.co.uk
12A Invercauld Rd, Ballater AB35 5RP, United Kingdom · invercauldlodges.co.uk
31 Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5RQ, United Kingdom · theauldkirk.com
Station Square, Ballater AB35 5QB, United Kingdom · thegordonguesthouse.com
6 Church Sq, Ballater AB35 5NE, United Kingdom · thebarrelballater.co.uk
Charlestown Rd, Aboyne AB34 5EL, United Kingdom · theboatinnaboyne.co.uk
12 Bridge Square, Ballater AB35 5QJ, United Kingdom · alexandrahotelballater.co.uk
Tomidhu Steading, Crathie, Ballater AB35 5UL, United Kingdom · tomidhu-steading.co.uk
26 Deebank Rd, Ballater AB35 5QT, United Kingdom · westwood-ballater.scotlandeo.co.uk
13-15 Victoria Rd, Ballater AB35 5RA, United Kingdom · crerarhotels.com
Anderson Rd, Ballater AB35 5QW, United Kingdom · manuellovestotravel.com
School Ln, Ballater AB35 5RJ, United Kingdom · fairdene-cottage.com.es
Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5XA, United Kingdom · higvc.co.uk
Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5XA, United Kingdom · www3.hilton.com
A97, Aboyne AB34 5PZ, United Kingdom · cairngormbothies.co.uk
Viewfield Rd, Ballater AB35 5RD, United Kingdom
Castlehill, By, Tullich Rd, Ballater AB35 5SD, United Kingdom
Cambus o'May, Ballater AB35 5SD, United Kingdom
A93, Ballater AB35 5UD, United Kingdom
Ballater AB35 5SJ, United Kingdom
Bridge Square, Ballater AB35 5GQ, United Kingdom
Indoor
3 Braemar Rd, Ballater AB35 5RL, United Kingdom · celicall.com.es
Indoor
34 Victoria Rd, Ballater AB35 5QX, United Kingdom · tullichapartment.co.uk
67 Golf Rd, Ballater AB35 5RU, United Kingdom
Restaurants & places to go
Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 18:00-00:00; We-Su 12:00-15:00,18:00-00:00 · 3 Netherley Place, Ballater, AB35 5QE · fishshopballater.co.uk
Chinese, Fast Food · Chinese fast food · 10 Golf Road, Ballater, AB35 5RE
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food
Indian, Restaurant · Indian restaurant · 2, Ballater, AB35 5NE
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-18:00 Features: vegan options · 25 Bridge Street, Ballater, AB35 5QP
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 5 Bridge Square, Ballater, AB35 5QJ · clachangrill.com
Cafe · cafe · 35 Bridge Street, Ballater, AB35 5QD
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options
Cafe · cafe · 19 Bridge Street, Ballater, AB35 5QP
Cafe · cafe · 8 Bridge Street, Ballater, AB35 5QP
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe · 43 Bridge Street, Ballater, AB35 5QD
Airports
Aboyne Airfield 7.8 mi to the centre
Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, SCT, GB
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Aboyne Airfield. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Ballater, Scotland. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach