{"id":267,"date":"2022-01-16T13:00:24","date_gmt":"2022-01-16T12:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=23033"},"modified":"2022-01-16T13:18:24","modified_gmt":"2022-01-16T12:18:24","slug":"48-hours-in-braemar-ballater","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/48-hours-in-braemar-ballater\/","title":{"rendered":"48 hours in Braemar & Ballater"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Molly Malsom\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 16 January 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

L<\/span>ocated 16 miles apart on the banks of the River Dee, the Victorian villages of Braemar and Ballater have long had connections with royalty. And, surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges, coursing rivers and purple-hued moorlands, it\u2019s easy to see why Queen Victoria chose this picturesque region as the location for her Highland holiday home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though Balmoral Castle remains popular among tourists (it\u2019s open from April through to early August), in September during non-Covid times it\u2019s the celebrated Braemar Gathering that draws a crowd to the area \u2013 and visitors (including the Queen) flock to marvel at the caber toss, hammer throw and fiercely competitive tug of war. <\/span><\/p>\n

Competition aside, it\u2019s the breathtaking Highland scenery that really captures the imagination. The area is dotted with clear, still lochs and beautiful mountains\u00a0 <\/span>(Lochnagar inspired Lord Byron\u2019s poem Lachin y Gair<\/i>) and walking trails are popular and plentiful. For history and adventure in abundance, look no further\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Places to visit in Braemar & Ballater<\/span><\/h2>\n
Braemar Castle<\/h3>\n
Just a short walk from the village itself, Braemar Castle<\/a> bears the scars of Scotland\u2019s turbulent political history. Built in 1628 as a hunting retreat for the 2nd Earl of Mar, the castle was destroyed during the first Jacobite Uprising of 1689 and rebuilt as a rebellion stronghold (after the Earl had changed sides, of course).<\/span><\/p>\n
Later, it fell into the hands of the Farquharsons of Invercauld, who eventually transformed the castle into a family home, complete with antique furniture by Chippendale and Hepplewhite. The grounds currently feature a thought-provoking installation by Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed \u2013 a huge multicoloured neon sign reading \u2018Everything is going to be alright\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
$\""Places\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Royal Lochnagar Distillery<\/h3>\n
Producing some of Scotland\u2019s most exclusive whiskies, the historic Royal Lochnagar Distillery<\/a> (dating back to 1845) is located close to the royal retreat of Balmoral Castle, around halfway between Braemar and Ballater. <\/span><\/p>\n
Guided tours cost from \u00a317.50 per person, and visitors can marvel at the elegant Speyside-shaped copper stills and vast oak casks, followed by a dram of the distillery\u2019s award-winning 12-year-old Single Highland Malt. Cheers to that!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Places to shop in Braemar & Ballater<\/span><\/h2>\n
Braemar Gallery<\/h3>\n
Just a short walk from the Braemar Highland Games Centre and grounds (highlandgamescentre.org), this fine art gallery<\/a> and workshop is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir. Specialising in works by Scottish artists and collaborative exhibitions, the gallery also doubles as a printmaking workshop and an ad hoc performance space for local musicians and bands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
$\""Places\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>