Braemar - A Royal Deeside Village
Braemar
Visit Braemar
The Cairngorms National Park
Braemar is one of the larger and prettiest settlements in Royal Deeside, overlooked by the majestic Cairngorm Mountain range. Probably best known for the Braemar Gathering, a traditional Highland Games held every September which attracts thousand of visitors from all over the World.
Braemar Media The Royal Family arrives at the Braemar Gathering 2017
The tradition dates back to around 1060, when King Malcolm Canmore came on a hunting trip, held a large festival at Doldencha, and awarded prizes for feats of strength. Today the Gathering still has the royal seal of approval as the Royal Family attend it every year.
Braemar Media captures the first snow 2017
Braemar is also the gateway to Scotland’s largest ski centre at Glenshee. Attracting winter sports enthusiasts, including “Munro-baggers” to the snow-capped mountain range. The rugged landscape of surrounding estates also plays host to visitors for walking, deer stalking, grouse hunting and fishing. Click here to find out more of the village.
In the village browse charming gift shops selling unique crafts, many coffee shops and an art gallery. Play the highest golf course in Scotland at and take in some home baking at Taste in Braemar. (part of our Royal Deeside PassporTour Golf Trail and Tea & Cake Trail)
Braemar Media and their first episode of Braemar TV
Walk into the hills above Braemar: the nature reserve of Morrone Birkwood, one of the finest examples of ‘downy’ birchwoods in the UK also has fantastic views. Hillgoers will take you out by foot. A visit to the Mar Lodge Estate is well worth a visit too, it has four of the five highest mountains in the UK, and fifteen of the National Trust for Scotland's 46 Munros can be found in the Cairngorms National Park.
Within its boundaries are fine examples of classic features of a Highland landscape: remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest, heather moorland, juniper scrub and a part of the high Cairngorm plateau. The Estate is renowned for featuring in popular TV shows such as BBC's Winter Watch and Country File and the recent promotion of the Snow Roads.
Braemar Castle was connected to Scotland’s Jacobite uprisings from the very early days. John Farquahrson of Inverery, the Black Colonel, was an early recruit to the Jacobite cause.
Visit Cairngorms visits Braemar Castle
From the village of Braemar if you travel east you will arrive at Crathie and Balmoral
Crathie sits on the north bank of the River Dee, at the very edge of the Balmoral estate, with views of majestic Lochnagar, as a backdrop. One of the 282 Munros in Scotland (mountain over 3000 feet), Lochnagar is popular with hill-walkers at year round.
Braemar Media captures an aerial view of Crathie Kirk
With a long and fascinating history, the Church of Scotland Kirk nestles in the heart of the village and is attended by the Royal family when in residence. It was built in 1895 and overlooks the ruins of the original church that was erected in the 14th century.
Crathie has been a place of Christian worship since the 9th century when Saint Manire founded a church. A later church was built at the current site in 1804. Queen Victoria worshipped there from 1848, and every British monarch since has worshipped at Crathie Kirk.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal married Timothy Laurence then a commander in the Royal Navy at the Kirk on 12th December 1992
Crathie is also the entrance point for visitors to Balmoral Castle, the summer home of the Royal Family. Around 50 full-time and 50–100 part-time staff are emploted by the Royal Family to maintain the working estate, with many of the estate's workers traditionally living at Crathie.
The 125-foot, single span Crathie Bridge (1857) is one of the more unusual iron bridges built by Brunel.
Balmoral from "My Dear Paradise" by RSFilms & Explore Royal Deeside GeoTour
Balmoral has been one of the residences for members of the British Royal Family since 1852 when the estate and its original castle were purchased privately for the sum of £32,000 by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria. The new castle was completed in 1856 and the old castle demolished shortly thereafter.
The Castle is a fine example of traditional Scottish architecture, and the baronial estate extends to 50,000 acres of heather clad hills and ancient woodland. In her journals Queen Victoria described Balmoral as “my dear paradise in the Highlands”.
The Balmoral Estate has been added to by successive members of the royal family. It is a working estate, including grouse moors, forestry, and farmland, as well as managed herds of deer, highland cattle and ponies.
It remains as the private property of the royal family and is not the property of the Crown.
Why not take time this winter to enjoy a Winter Tour or Safari with Balmoral Castle Estate.
Visit Cairngorms visits Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Nearby Royal Lochnagar Distillery shows the age-old traditions and craftsmanship to produce one of Scotland’s finest malts. Standing on the southern bank of river, it is fed by natural springs rising on the slopes of Lochnagar.
The businesses mentioned within this blog all feature with the Royal Deeside PassporTour.
Whats On for Braemar
(subject to change by event organisers and information as at 27.11.17)
At Balmoral Castle and Estate - Wednesday 29th November 2017
Balmoral Winter Guided Tour 2017
At Balmoral Castle and Estate- Saturday 2nd December 2017
Balmoral Winter Guided Tour 2017
At Balmoral Castle and Estate - Wednesday 6th December 2017
Balmoral Winter Guided Tour 2017
At Balmoral Castle and Estate - Saturday 9th December 2017
Balmoral Winter Guided Tour 2017
At Balmoral Castle and Royal Lochnagar Distillery - 10.00 - 16.00 9th December 2017
At Balmoral Castle and Estate - Wednesday 13th December 2017
Balmoral Winter Guided Tour 2017
Braemar Gallery, Braemar
Friday 1st December November 2017 19.30 - 23.00
Crathie Opportunity Holidays, Ballater
Sunday 3rd December 2017 12.45 - 16.00
Whats On in and around Royal Deeside for #TravelTuesday from 28th Nov
At Buchanans Bistro, Banchory
Wednesday 29th November 2017 19.00 - 23.00
Lizabett Russo Once Upon A Time - Live Score to a silent fairytale movie
At The Barn
Thursday 30th November 2017, 20:00
At Potarch, Banchory
Friday 1st December 2017,10.00 - 13.00
Paul Anderson & Friends at Crathes Castle
Friday 1st December 2017, 19.30 - 21.30
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Saturday 2nd December 2017
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Saturday 2nd December 2017, 10:30
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Saturday 2nd December 2017, 11.00 - 16.00
Torphins Christmas Market 2017
At Mid Deeside Church
Saturday 2nd December 2017, 10:00 - 16:00
Banchory Lodge Hotel, Banchory.
Saturday 2nd December 2017, 16.00 - 18.00
Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker (PG) (Recorded Screening)
At The Barn
Sunday 3rd December 2017, 15:00
At Battle Grounds Paintball, Banchory.
Sunday 3rd December 2017, 10:30
Crathes Family Event: Birch Crafts
At Crathes Castle
Sunday 3rd December 2017, 10:00 - 15:00
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Sunday 3rd December 2017
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory
Sunday 3rd December 2017, 10:30
Nature Nippers: Bear Hunting For Beginners
At Crathes Castle
Tuesday 5th December 2017, 11:00
Dementia Friendly Screening Film: Casablanca (U) (1942)
At The Barn
Wednesday 6th December 2017, 14:30
At Banchory Town Hall
Saturday 9th December 2017, 10:00 - 16:00
At The Barn
Saturday 9th December 2017, 14:00
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Saturday 9th December 2017
At Drum Castle
Saturday 9th December 2017, 11:00 - 16:00
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Saturday 9th December 2017, 10:30
Gin'gle Bells - Crathes Castle
At Crathes Castle
Saturday 9th December 2017, 19.30 - 21.00
At Battle Grounds Paintball, Banchory.
Saturday 9th December 2017, 16.00- 22.00
At Banchory Town Hall
Sunday 10th December 2017, 11:00
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Sunday 10th December 2017, 10:30
Frame Loom Weaving & Winter Mini Wreathes
At wee Boorachie
Sunday 10th December 2017, 12.00 - 15.00
At Drum Castle
Sunday 10th December 2017, 11:00 - 16:00
Emily Smith's Songs for Christmas
At The Barn
Sunday 10th December 2017, 20:00
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Sunday 10th December 2017, 10:30
Film: The Holiday (12A): Baby Friendly Screening
At The Barn
Wednesday 13th December 2017, 13:00
Film: The Holiday (12A) (2006)
At The Barn
Wednesday 13th December 2017, 19:30
At The Barn
Saturday 16th December 2017, 11:00
At The Barn
Saturday 16th December 2017, 14:00
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Saturday 16th December 2017
Banchory Singers Festive Concerts 2017
At Banchory Town Hall
Saturday 16th December 2017
At Bellfield Car Park
Saturday 16th December 2017, 09:00 - 13:00
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Saturday 16th December 2017, 10:30
At The Barn
Sunday 17th December 2017, 11:00
At The Barn
Sunday 17th December 2017, 14:00
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Sunday 17th December 2017
Banchory Singers Festive Concerts 2017
At Banchory Town Hall
Sunday 17th December 2017
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Sunday 17th December 2017, 10:30
At The Barn
Monday 18th December 2017, 10:30
At The Barn
Monday 18th December 2017, 13:30
At The Barn
Tuesday 19th December 2017, 10:30
At The Barn
Tuesday 19th December 2017, 13:30
At The Barn
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 10:30
At The Barn
Wednesday 20th December 2017, 13:30
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Friday 22nd December 2017, 10:30
Little Fix - The Ultimate Tribute Band and Disco
At Royal British Legion - Banchory
Saturday 23rd December 2017, 13:00 - 16:00
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Saturday 23rd December 2017
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Saturday 23rd December 2017, 10:30
Santa Special at The Royal Deeside Railway
At Royal Deeside Railway
Sunday 24th December 2017
Santa Specials Train Rides - Royal Deeside Railway
At Milton of Crathes, Banchory.
Sunday 24th December 2017, 10:30
At Royal Deeside Railway
Saturday 30th December 2017
At Royal Deeside Railway
Sunday 31st December 2017
At The Barn
Saturday 20th January 2018, 20:00
At Bellfield Car Park
Saturday 20th January 2018, 09:00 - 13:00
Bolshoi Ballet: Romeo and Juliet (12A) (Live Screening)
At The Barn
Sunday 21st January 2018, 15:00
At The Barn
Wednesday 24th January 2018, 19:30
Burns Ceilidh with Hehir, Jones and MacCallum
At The Barn
Saturday 27th January 2018, 19:00