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Royal Deeside: tips and FAQs

Lokale kennis en veelgestelde vragen

Lokale kennis

Tips voor uw bezoek

Check castle seasons

Balmoral, Braemar Castle and the National Trust for Scotland castles keep seasonal opening days. Check each official site before planning a day.

Drive for the outlying castles

Craigievar and Castle Fraser are well north of the A93 and much easier to reach by car than by bus.

Plan hill walks carefully

Lochnagar and the hills around Braemar are mountain terrain. Check the mountain forecast and carry a map before setting out from Loch Muick or the Linn of Dee.

Book Braemar Gathering early

The Gathering is on the first Saturday of September; the organisers put tickets on sale in February.

Stay in a village

Banchory, Ballater and Braemar all have hotels and guest houses, and make better bases than a day trip from Aberdeen for the upper valley.

Events in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Dates to plan around

Dates confirmed on the organisers' own websites.

Braemar Gathering

Saturday 4 September 2027 (first Saturday of September each year)

Highland games held in Braemar since 1832, in the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park. The organisers say tickets go on sale on 1 February 2027.

Braemar Gathering →

Stonehaven Fireballs

31 December, at midnight

About 40 people swing fireballs along the High Street for around 20 minutes, followed by fireworks. Crowds gather from 10pm and the street can close once full.

Stonehaven Fireballs →

Veelgestelde vragen

Where is Royal Deeside?

Royal Deeside is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Castles, Balmoral and the Cairngorms villages of the Dee valley. Nearby stops and stations include Banchory, Ballater, Braemar.

How long do I need in Royal Deeside?

Eén tot twee dagen. Reken op langer als u uit eten wilt gaan of meerdere attracties wilt bezoeken.

Wat zijn de hoogtepunten?

Highlights include Crathes Castle, Drum Castle, Castle Fraser. See the Things to do page for more.

Hoe komt u er?

Nearby: Banchory (Stagecoach Bluebird buses from Aberdeen); Ballater (Stagecoach Bluebird buses from Aberdeen); Braemar (Stagecoach Bluebird buses via Ballater). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.

Waar kunt u eten en drinken?

We list 12 places to eat and drink in and around Royal Deeside, with filters to help you choose.

Waar kan ik overnachten?

Wij vermelden 10 hotels en andere overnachtingsplekken in de buurt. Controleer beschikbaarheid en prijzen bij elk verblijf.

Is Royal Deeside accessible?

De toegankelijkheid verschilt per straat, gebouw en locatie. Raadpleeg vóór vertrek de toegankelijkheidsinformatie van elke bezienswaardigheid of vervoerder.

While you are here