Things to do in Braemar and Royal Deeside
Braemar Golf Club
A delightful 18-hole course surrounded by hills and is the highest 18-hole course in the UK. Although set well over 1000ft above sea level it is not hilly; in fact, playing along the banks of the Clunie Water it is mostly flat. The 2nd hole at Braemar is one of the most exciting in the region, a green placed high above the fairway with the amazing backdrop of the Glenshee hills. The combination of stunning scenery and fresh air, as well as the delightful village, makes a trip to Braemar and its golf course most rewarding.www.braemargolfclub.co.uk
Glenshee Ski Centre
Located at the point (Cairnwell Pass) where the A93 enters the Cairngorms National Park. The snowfields at Glenshee stretch over 3 valleys and 4 Munros giving access to 40 km of marked pistes, as well as off piste skiing. With its diversity of pistes, Glenshee offers something for everyone.Beginners and novices are able to get to grips with skiing and snowboarding on the nursery slopes next to the main car park, with easy progression onto the seven lifts which start at car park level. The centre is also ideal for intermediate skiers/snowboarders with no less than 26 blue and red runs, varying from the long and exhilarating to the short and steep. Experienced skiers and boarders however, are able are able to test their skills on two excellent black runs - the ever popular Glas Maol black or the infamous mogul strewn Tiger which has been a formidable part of the Scottish ski experience for years. In addition to the plethora of on-hill terrain, boarders are also treated to a specially designed Fun Park at Meall Odhar, which has recently seen a face lift, following its introduction in 1991. With so much choice, it is easy to see why Glenshee is Scotland's premier resort.
Ski tuition is available at the ski schools and ski equipment can be hired at the centre or in the village of Braemar. Royal Deeside is very convenient for skiers visiting Glenshee or nearby Lecht or those skiing cross-country. It offers an excellent base with a range of quality restaurants and shops.
www.skibraemar.com
www.ski-glenshee.co.uk
Fishing
The River Dee is internationally famous for its salmon fishing, and especially so for its multi-sea winter spring salmon, with anglers coming from all over the world to fish it.In addition to the increasing run of spring fish, the river also provides some excellent summer fishing for salmon, grilse and sea trout.
One of the top four British salmon rivers, the Dee rises in the Cairngorm Mountains and flows for over 80 miles through the Grampian region in north east Scotland before it enters the North Sea at Aberdeen.
www.fishdee.co.uk
Rock Climbing
The Braemar area has an abundance of magnificent rock climbing of all grades on good quality clean granite. The numerous high mountain crags and corries require a long walk in and a period of settled weather before coming into condition, but provide superb long multi-pitch rock climbs in stunning locations. The Pass of Ballater is the only lowland sheltered alternative with its pink cliffs set amongst the pines, and is easily reached from the road.www.visitdeeside.org.uk/what_to_do/climbing.htm
Mountain biking
Braemar and surrounding area has a superb range of routes for both on and off-road cycling to suit all tastes and abilities. The array of minor tarmac roads offer exhilarating cycle touring through hidden glens, pinewoods, along the course of rivers and over mountain passes. For those wanting off-road, a network of partly- surfaced estate tracks provide some of the finest exploration into the heart of the hills and glens of Deeside. Many of the routes through the glens are fairly gentle and can be taken at a leisurely pace. www.visitdeeside.org.uk/what_to_do/cycling-routes.htmWalking / Hill walking
The western half of Royal Deeside lies within the newly created Cairgorms National Park and contains many of Scotland’s highest mountains and scores of other challenges to the more serious walker. Here is some of Britain's most dramatic and beautiful scenery waiting to be explored. But, unlike wonderful places in England, there is space and a sense of having the world to oneself. There is much to attract the less serious walker for there are many trails through beautiful scenery abundant with wildlife.Both Balmoral and Mar Lodge estates provide numerous guided walks. Two festivals, Ballater Walking Festival and ActiveAboyne offer the opportunity to partake in walks of varying difficulty. Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service also offers numerous guided walks.
An easy ascent of Braemar's own mountain, Morrone, takes in spectacular views. Further afield is the more challenging Lochnagar, whose north peak, the White Mount, is said to have been the inspiration for a children's story written by Prince Charles.
www.visitdeeside.org.uk
www.scottishsport.co.uk/walking/links.htm
walkdeeside.com
Castles
17th century Braemar Castle was once the stronghold of the Farquharson clan.Gliding
www.deesideglidingclub.co.ukHorse riding / Pony trekking
www.visitdeeside.org.uk/what_to_do/horseriding.htmRoyal family / Balmoral Castle
www.balmoralcastle.comHighland games
The first Saturday in September, Braemar’s population swells from 410 to 20,000 during the one-day Braemar Gathering, otherwise known as the Highland Games. The origins of the Highland Games and Gatherings, now a focal point for communities and tourists alike, have evolved from trials, in which clansmen were tested for skill and strength, intended as a preparation for battle. These games are the Scottish equivalent of the Olympics but involve more traditional sports, such as Caber Tossing (hurling the trunk of a tree as far as one can.), Hammer Throwing and Tug of War. The Queen & members of the Royal Family always attend the games.www.braemargathering.org
Junior Highland Games
Highland Games for children between the ages of 5 and 17. Children can participate and receive instruction in a number of traditional Highland Games events overseen by qualified instructors in the world famous highland games park in Braemar. Activities include Highland Dancing, Tossing the Caber, Hammer Throwing, The Owar, Piping and Drumming.www.braemarjuniorgames.com
Wildlife / Bird watching
For the visitor interested in wildlife, Braemar has long held great attractions. There must be few villages where one can take an early morning walk along the village main street and have a good chance of meeting, one after the other, a magnificent 13 pointer stag, a shy Roe Deer, Red Squirrels stealing nuts put out for the birds, a cock pheasant strutting in all his finery, and a big brown hare timidly exploring the possibility of access to some of the gardens, while overhead Golden Eagles and buzzards sail silent, missing nothing.www.wild-scotland.co.uk
Shooting
www.lochkinord.com/activities/shooting.htmOff-road driving
www.deesideactivitypark.comwww.destination-scotland.com
Orienteering
www.scottish-orienteering.org/soa/permcourses.htmlWhisky trail / distilleries
The traditions of distilling and maturing Scotch Whisky have evolved through the centuries, using crafts passed from generation to generation in a continual process of refinement. Today our fine Scotch Malt Whisky is produced in distilleries located in the most picturesque of settings, close to the natural ingredients on which their unique flavour depends.Discover the best Scotland has to offer - Highland scenery, spectacular mountains and historic towns and villages. Visit the eight distilleries and cooperage on the Malt Whisky Trail, the Cashmere Visitor Centre, craft centres, castles & gardens and Baxter’s of Speyside. Play on championship golf courses, fish, sail, go dolphin watching or follow the Speyside Way footpath from the coast to the shadow of the Grampian Highlands.
Our local Royal Lochnagar distillery is situated on the south side of the River Dee close to Balmoral Castle. Age old traditions and craftmanship produce one of Scotland's most exclusive whiskies. A visit to Royal Lochnagar is a timeless experience where you can see the distillers tending to the traditional mashtun and gleaming copper stills. At the tour end your complimentary dram will confirm that Royal Lochnagar is a malt whisky worthy of the "Royal" prefix to its name.
www.maltwhiskytrail.com/welcome.html