Royal Deeside

It was Queen Victoria who can be credited with ‘discovering’ this amazing area, making it her Highland retreat and building her castle at Balmoral. It’s been known as Royal Deeside ever since. She showed commendable taste, for the journey along the Dee from Aberdeen takes you through stupendous countryside of increasing grandeur, past the pretty town of Ballater to the tourist draw of Braemar.

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Royal Deeside Self Catering Cottages

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A Truly Royal Experience

Royal Deeside is a beautiful area, renowned for its many castles and its salmon fishing and the Royal family have regularly spent holidays here since Queen Victoria bought the estate.

Glen Tanar, accessible via Aboyne (west of Banchory), is ideal for walking, horse riding and mountain biking. Ballater, 10 miles west of Aboyne, has a restored train station (although the railway line has been closed for a long time) with exhibits about the visits of the Royal family to Balmoral. There are many walks in the area including many from Loch Muik (9 miles south west of Ballater), one to the 400 metre Craigendarroch and more strenuous and lengthy walks up the 871 metre Morven and the 1154 metre Lochnagar.

To the West of the County

Balmoral Castle, 8 miles west of Ballater, was converted from a 16th century tower into a mansion house for Queen Victoria in 1855. Only a small part of the castle is open to the public and only for a few months in the year.

Glenshee Ski Resort

Braemar lies west of Balmoral at a height of 1,100 feet and is surrounded by mountains - good for hill walking and near to the ski resort of Glenshee, further south on the A93. Braemar hosts the Braemar Gathering (Highland Games) in September and has an interesting heritage centre.

From Braemar, a little road (that is ideal for cycling) leads past the other royal residence of Mar Lodge through a wide valley to the lovely Linn of Dee and then you can walk for miles in the Grampians and beyond them the Cairngorms.

You can also walk, or cycle if you're brave enough, for a couple of days cross country to Blair Atholl. There are also plenty of opportunities for mountain biking and horse riding. There are many walks starting at Inverey, five miles west of Braemar, including the long hike through the Lairig Ghru and the Glen Luibeg Circuit.

Date	Product	Customer Comment
06-Jul-2022	Restless Winds BD5 (overall)	Unique Cottages are generally easy to deal with - the emails are mostly straightforward and its easy to chat on the phone. Very friendly and helpful if you do need to speak too them.
06-Jul-2022	Garden Cottage at Ashintully AG8 (overall)	Der Auswahl und Buchungsprozess von Unique Cottages ist sehr einfach und übersichtlich, von daher empfehlenswert.
06-Jul-2022	Cnoc Gorm DE1 (overall)	Die Auswahl eines Objektes und der Buchungsprozess an sich ist sehr gut gestaltet; auch die Flexibilität einer Umbuchung im Zuge der Pandemie war möglich.
06-Jul-2022	Lurabus EK8 (overall)	Good place to find a one-stop shop for holiday cottages in Scotland. Communication is excellent either on-line of in person over the phone. The cottages are always of a high standard and well maintained.
04-Jul-2022	Enrick Farmhouse BL4 (overall)	Nach Auswahl des Hauses zügige Bearbeitung. Schnelle Info über verfügbarkeit erhalten.
04-Jul-2022	Inniemore Cabin BE6 (overall)	Have used for 5 years without issue. Good customer service.
03-Jul-2022	Achleek Cottage DB9 (overall)	I was pleased with their timely reminders about payments and customer service were helpful.
03-Jul-2022	The Owl House GK2 (overall)	Excellent customer service for booking our stay.
03-Jul-2022	Marchbank EE4 (overall)	simple and effective as usual
04-Jul-2022	East Faldonside Lodge DE6 (overall)	I had invited friend to join me. Unfortunately the gentleman took unwell & was unable to join me. I contacted you for advise. You were very helpful & part of my family were able to join me. What a difference help makes when you need it. Thank you.