History

The story of modern Ballater begins in the 18th century when the discovery of a nearby spring with supposed healing properties led to the development of a small spa town. However, the village’s destiny was transformed in 1848 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert took a lease on the nearby Balmoral estate, which they later bought. Their love for this part of Scotland made Royal Deeside fashionable. Ballater, as the nearest village, flourished as the main service hub for the royal estate.

The arrival of the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1866 cemented the village’s importance. The beautiful Ballater railway station became the terminus for royal journeys to Balmoral, welcoming generations of monarchs and their guests. Local businesses in Ballater began to supply goods and services to the royal household, earning coveted Royal Warrants of Appointment, a tradition that continues to this day. Although the railway line closed in the 1960s, the station has been beautifully restored following a fire, and the village’s deep-rooted connection with the Royal Family remains a central part of its proud identity.