Located on the River Dee on the east side of the Cairngorm Mountains, about 42 miles from Aberdeen, you will find the lovely town of Ballater in the Grampian Highlands of Scotland. The spring waters of this town draw thousands of visitors each year, not just for its curative properties but also for the relaxing atmosphere surrounding this picturesque location. The legend associated with these waters date back to the 18th century when a woman had a dream guiding her to bathe in the waters at the foot of Pannanich Hill and she was cured of scrofula. A Jacobite, returning home after an absence of 20 years, had the foresight to realize what a benefit a spa would be to this town – not to mention himself.
Ballater is the residence of the Royal Guard and Balmoral Castle; the retreat of the Royal Family is close by. In fact, this is the nearest town to the castle and you can reach it by rail or road. At the railway station in the town, you can visit the Ballater Museum and learn all about its local history and links to Queen Victoria. Take a tour of Balmoral Castle, which is open to the public from March until August. The location of Ballater has always had strategic importance dating as far back as the 1300’s. At that time the area was part of the estate owned by the Knights of St. John. It is an area rich in breathtaking scenery with many opportunities for hiking, walking, cycling, canoeing and horseback riding. There are many fine stone buildings in this area, such as the church at Dinnet. Visit the church at Crathie and see the gravestone of one of Queen Victoria’s servants, John Brown, in the graveyard. Logie Goldstone is another village in the hills that you can visit when you are in Ballater.
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