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EuropeUnited KingdomScotland

Ballater

Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Ballater

Ballater works well as a base: 30 minutes from Aboyne, 36km from Cairngorms National Park.

Ballater is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 1,550, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Ballater sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Ballater to your route.

About Ballater

Ballater (, Scottish Gaelic: Bealadair) is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the River Dee, immediately east of the Cairngorm Mountains. Situated at an elevation of 213 metres (699 feet), Ballater is a centre for hikers and known for its spring water, once said to cure scrofula. It is home to more than 1400

Read more inhabitants and has had a long connection with the British royal family.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Ballater

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Ballater?

Ballater offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Ballater?

Plan your road trip to Ballater with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Ballater as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Ballater located?

Ballater is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 57.0501 latitude, -3.0380 longitude.

What is the population of Ballater?

Ballater has a population of approximately 1,550 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
1,550
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
57.0501, -3.0380

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomScotlandTown

Worth the detour from Ballater

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

castle

Balmoral Castle

A large estate in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, serving as one of the residences of the British royal family since 1852.

12 km · about 20 min drive

historic highway

The Lecht (A939 Old Military Road)

Notorious high crossing of the eastern Cairngorms on the 18th-century military road between Cockbridge and Tomintoul, climbing to 637m with roller-coaster gradients: often the first UK road closed by snow.

20 km · about 25 min drive

museum

Grampian Transport Museum

Acclaimed motoring museum in Alford, Aberdeenshire, with everything from steam locomotives to supercars, plus its own outdoor test track used for summer motoring events.

29 km · about 35 min drive

mountain pass

Cairnwell Pass

The highest main road in Britain at 670m, where the A93 crosses the Grampians at Glenshee between Braemar and the ski centre. The famously steep Devil's Elbow hairpins lie just below the summit.

30 km · about 35 min drive

national park

Cairngorms National Park

The UK's largest national park in the Scottish Highlands with arctic-alpine landscapes and ancient Caledonian pine forests.

36 km · about 40 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Cairngorm Mountain Funicular

A funicular railway climbing high into the Cairngorms near Aviemore for panoramic alpine views and winter snowsports.

39 km · about 45 min drive

natural wonder

Loch Morlich

Beautiful freshwater loch in the Cairngorms with a sandy beach backed by ancient pine forest and views to the Cairngorm mountains.

42 km · about 50 min drive

castle

Glamis Castle

The childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, steeped in legend and set in the scenic Angus region of Scotland.

49 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Ballater

  • 20 kmThe Lecht (A939 Old Military Road)Notorious high crossing of the eastern Cairngorms on the 18th-century military road between Cockbridge and Tomintoul, climbing to 637m with roller-coaster gradients: often the first UK road closed by snow.
  • 30 kmCairnwell PassThe highest main road in Britain at 670m, where the A93 crosses the Grampians at Glenshee between Braemar and the ski centre. The famously steep Devil's Elbow hairpins lie just below the summit.
  • 39 kmCairngorm Mountain FunicularA funicular railway climbing high into the Cairngorms near Aviemore for panoramic alpine views and winter snowsports.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

May to September

Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Ballater.

Aboyne

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

16 km awayPop. 2,650

Torphins

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

26 km awayPop. 1,410

Alford

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

29 km awayPop. 2,290

Banchory

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

33 km awayPop. 7,440

Kemnay

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

41 km awayPop. 3,830

Insch

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

41 km awayPop. 2,320

Kirriemuir

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

42 km awayPop. 6,160

Laurencekirk

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

42 km awayPop. 2,920

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence