A small resort town in the Royal Deeside parish of Glenmuick, Tullich and Glengairn, W Aberdeenshire, situated on the River Dee 43 miles (69 km) west of Aberdeen. Ballater developed as a spa resort, first in the 1770s to accommodate visitors to the Pannanich Mineral Wells and later after the arrival of the railway in 1866 (closed 1966).

Largely built of reddish granite, its houses are laid out in a regular pattern around a central church green. The town lies amidst dramatic mountain and forest scenery at an altitude of 213m (700 feet) above sea-level and is today a centre for wayfaring and orienteering with tourist and sporting facilities that include an 18 hole golf course. The Pass of Ballater to the north of the town is an ice worn ravine linking Milton of Tullich in the east to Bridge of Gairn.

Ballater is a delightful 'Victorian' town in the centre of Royal Deeside some 40 miles west of Aberdeen. Originally founded to accommodate visitors to the nearby Pannanich Wells it subsequently became the site for the station to service nearby Balmoral Castle and Upper Deeside. For about 100 years this station was used by the Royal Family and their guests and by thousands of holiday makers from Aberdeen and elsewhere coming to enjoy the delightful surroundings. The town grew steadily over this period and contains many fine stone-built buildings within its conservation area.

The Royal Family use Ballater for much of the supplies for Balmoral so that many shops in the village display Royal Warrant signs. Also, many of the fine houses have been turned into hotels and guest-houses,  The town also supports an unusually high concentration of restaurants. With the watchword being quality, visitors to Ballater are ensured a very enjoyable stay.

Ballater has a fine 18-hole golf course and is a great base for both those who enjoy walking and fishing breaks and those who enjoy touring. Approaching Ballater from the east, one can enjoy the views of the fine River Dee flowing through the town while behind the village stands the majestic Lochnagar, one of Scotland's great mountains.

Ballater Information