Ballater Accommodation

Craithie Kirk near Balmoral. The Royal Family's local church when they're in residence

Pushing into the Cairngorms National Park, View between Ballater & Braemar

Braemar Highland Heritage Centre & Tartan Outlet

Braemar B&Bs, Luxury Accommdoation in a Glorious Setting

Highland Dancing, Weekly during the Summer at Braemar Village Hall (it's free!)

View from a Braemar B&B window

West of Braemar towards the Linn of Dee

Grampian Mountain views west of Braemar

Braemar Games Gathering, Braemar Luxury Hotels B&Bs, Cairngorms Braemar

Push right to the end of the A93 (a gloriously stunning drive between Ballater and Breaemar), you'll arrive in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Braemar is a popular base for walkers and cyclists looking to enjoy the extensive cycling and walking trails into the Cairngorms from the Linn of Dee, just west of Braemar. Braemar itself is small and friendly, with a fine selection of restaurants and budget best fish and chip shops. Arts and crafts shops and coffee and tearooms cram into the town, which also has a superb selection of quality B&B's (with some of the best views in Scotland) and small hotels.

During the Summer season you can spend an evening watching Highland Dancing (usually Wednesday evenings)in Braemar Village Hall - highly recommended, with a rather witty compare to boot. Braemar Tourist Information Centree, The Mews, Mar Road, Braemar, Aberdeenshire AB35 5YP. Tel. 013397 41600.

Braemar, The Cairngorms National Park & Glenshee Ski Centre

Braemar gets the snow in winter, and here's why. It's situated in the highest and most mountainous parish within the UK. You're over 1000 feet above sea level here and the Cairngorms National Park is on your doorstep. Braemar's 18 hole golf course (weblink right) is the highest golf course in the UK!

Braemar village has a down to earth feel and an outdoor activities air. Beautifully set, the superb choice of luxury (yet not expensive) small hotels and B&Bs are first class, and most have spectacular views of the surrounding hills from windows.

The Cairngorms National Park covers a huge area (bigger than the Lake District and one and a half times the size of Luxembourg apparently?) stretching from Grantown on Spey to the top of the Angus Glens and from Ballater to Dalwhinnie and Drumochter. There's some extremely important wildlife habitats within this National Park, including 25 percent of Britain's endangered birds, plants and animals.

Numerous outdoor activities are available in the area including climbing, mountain biking, pony trekking, skiing in the winter and some demanding hillwalking. The Lairig Ghuru high level pass up from the Linn of Dee west of Braemar to Coylumbridge is one of Scotland's most popular high level passes! (see the Linn of Dee, Walking Scotland website right for details on this walk taking you up towards Aviemore). Most of the estate tracks around Braemar are open access. (see the Braemar Tourist Guide right for listings). The popular winter ski centre at Glenshee is situated just 9 miles to the south of Braemar off the A93. Glenshee Ski Centre offers an impressive 21 lifts and 36 runs for skiers and snowboarders. Check the Glenshee website right for details on equipment hire and details on essentially the most extensive snowboarding and skiing available in Scotland!

The Braemar Gathering - Highland Games in September

Always held on the first Saturday in September, the Breaemar Gathering, one of the best Highland Games in the area, attracts huge numbers of visitors including usually the Queen and other Royals!

The programme of events offers visitors a superb opportunity to watch some of Scotland's oldest traditions and sports including Tossing the Caber, Throwing the Hammer and favourites like the Tug of War and for kids the Children's Sack Race. Some of the best in their field - across the Heavy Sports, Highland Dancing and Piping are here at the Braemar Gathering. The Massed Pipe Bands appearance is a particular favourite.

The Braemar Gathering dates officially from 1832. In the early years the large crowds in attendance would problem their Monarch as Chieftan of the Braemar Gathering. These days you can still Royal spot, and indeed look out for the odd celebrity a la Billy Connolly CBE.

Braemar Royal Highland Gathering Ltd, Society Office, Braemar, AB35 5YH. Tel International. 00 44 13397 41098. (see Braemar Gathering website right for details).

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