is an area of outstanding natural beauty and royal history

nestled below the Coyles of Muick and  Lochnagar  >
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Ballater  >  and Deeside  >  has much to offer everyone, whether you just prefer a stroll by the river

or a strenuous day,  climbing some of Scotlands highest mountains
 

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This is a walker friendly area..
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Originally founded to accommodate visitors to the nearby  Pannanich Wells  >  it subsequently became the site for the railway station

to service nearby  Balmoral Castle  >  and  Upper Deeside, For about 100 years this station was used by the Royal Family

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
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is beautifully set in the heart of Deeside, with local fishing on the River Dee

walking in the surrounding area and a number of other attractions within the town

The central attraction within Ballater is the recently restored Old Royal Station

Queen Victoria  >

arrived here frequently on her way to Balmoral, the museum inside the station contains exhbits on Victoria's visits

there is also the reconstructed waiting room. Ballater Tourist Information Centre is also situated here in the station
 

Ballater Tourist Information Centre  >

The Old Royal Station, Station Square, Ballater

Aberdeenshire AB35 5RB

Tel. 013397 55306
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......From Inverness
 

from Inverness  >  bear south on the A9 signposted  Aviemore  >  By  Carrbridge  >  turn left onto the A938 and head into  Grantown on Spey  >

At Grantown turn right onto the A939 and follow this road through  Tomintoul  >  and Cock Bridge into Ballater
 

From Glasgow
 

From Glasgow  >  head East on the M8 turning off at junction 13 onto the M80, signposted  Stirling  >  and  Cumbernauld   >

Follow the M80 until it merges with North bound M9 just outside Stirling. M9 North turns into the A9 outside Perth

Once in  Perth  >  follow the signs for  Blairgowrie  >  and the A93. Follow the A93 up and past the   Glenshee ski centre  >

dropping down to Braemar on the far side. Once in Braemar follow the A93 to Ballater
 

From Edinburgh
 

From Edinburgh  >   head North on the A90 across the  Forth Road Bridge  >  the A90 turns into the M90 which should be followed to Perth

coming off at junction 11 onto the A93. Follow the signs for Blairgowrie. Follow the A93 up and past the Glenshee ski centre

dropping down to Braemar on the far side. Once in   Braemar   >  follow the A93 to Ballater
 

From Aberdeen
 

From Aberdeen  >  follow the signs labelled "Deeside" and A93. Follow the A93 through   Banchory  >  and Aboyne

Once through  Aboyne  >  follow the signs to Ballater
 

 Park in Station Square. Ballater
 

THE WALK

   Dont Get Lost Take A Copy With You

Print-Version- Here >
 

This walk is 5 miles, allow 2 - 3 hours

mostly level roads, clear paths and tracks
 

UK Weather Check  >
 

From Station Square walk along the main road, Bridge Street, to Royal Bridge spanning the River  Dee

this bridge is the fourth bridge to be built on or near this spot, the first 2 were swept away by floods

in 1799 and 1839 respectively, the third lasted until 1885, when the present bridge was opened by Queen Victoria
 

cross the bridge and turn right on the road wedged between the river and a steep wooded hill

just before a right hand bend at a spot known as Spinnin Jenny's after an ancient witch

is the second bridge of the walk, at Jenny's Bridge some steps lead from a low moss covered

parapet on the left hand side to a seat above
 

Continue past 2 facing cottages called Bridgefoot and Burnfoot and cross a third small bridge

over a stream to a junction, a comemmerative cairn marks one of Queen Victoria's

last public acts, when she took the salute at a march past of the Gordon Highlanders

in 1899 before the regiment left for the Boer War
 

Turn right over the Bridge of Muick built in 1878, in Glenmuick churchyard on the left

old tombstones includes one to John Mitchell, who was apparently aged 126yrs

when he died in 1722, on the right the rounded summit of Craigendarrock

towers above the village, and it's golf course,  continue to a building and copse

on the right, just before Dallyfour Farm ( once the home of 126yr old John Mitchell )

then turn right onto a wide gravel track
 

follow this track through thick conifer woodland at Dalhefour Wood for just over 1 mile

after a sharp bend left at the river, turn right over the elegant Polhillick Bridge

the suspension bridge 190 ft long and only 4 ft wide, was built in 1892 to replace a ferry

the deep clear pool under the bridge is a popular fishing spot
 

follow the track right along the river, then left onto the A93 turn right on road being careful of traffic,

cross over where a sign points left to a disused quarry, steps climb to a path above the road clear of traffic

turn right on the path, dropping down to cross another road, then continue until you meet the A93 again
 

cross the road and turn left over the Bridge of Gairn, where the river gairn the river dee's longest tibutary

ends it 20 mile journey on the right are the ruins of the old parish church of Glengairn
 

at a farm road on the right marked Bridge of Gairn Farm, turn right and immediately left on a path

that drops down to  the Auld Line, in the 19th century,  this was the planned route of the Ballater

to Braemar railway, but the railway was never constructed and the path has now become a popular riverside trail
 

the walks seventh bridge spans a ravine at Posties Leap, follow the path along the river with views accross to a

wooden chalet that was built for the Queen Mother, when you reach a picnic area, follow the path to Auld Line Road

take the first road on the left known as Braemar Place, then turn right onto the A93 to return to the car park
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This walk is on mainly level roads, clear paths & tracks

most of the walk, if not all of the walk, should be suitable for most abilites

we hope you enjoy this circular walk
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