Regal Aberdeenshire & Royal Deeside Railway

Royal Deeside (full day)

Royal Deeside is an area that captivated Queen Victoria due to its stunning landscape of moody mountains and shimmering rivers. We enjoy these breathtaking panoramas during our excursion and visit some of the region’s most picturesque villages:

We start in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park for a visit to the delightful Scottish village of Braemar. This lovely village is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens and pine forests, while the centre features an array of boutique shops, medieval ruins and castles.

We continue on to Crathie, which sits on the banks of the River Dee and is set against the mountainous backdrop of Lochnagar. The village is famous for its granite kirk which was built in 1895 and is the Royals' local church when staying at Balmoral.

Our final stop is the village of Ballater, which sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, known for its spring water and is the nearest community to Balmoral Castle. Take a stroll to admire the historic buildings, browse the Ballater Gallery or visit the Royal Station to discover the restored royal waiting room, which re-opened in August 2018, after a devastating fire.

Stonehaven & Royal Deeside Railway (full day)

We begin our day with a delightful journey on the Royal Deeside Railway, the chosen railway line of the Royal Family when visiting Balmoral Castle, where we can enjoy the captivating Scottish scenery on display between Aberdeen and Ballater.

We then enjoy some time in the harbour town of Stonehaven, nestled in the stunning countryside on the North East coast of Scotland. Discover the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum, rich in history from its time as a former courthouse and jail, enjoy the fresh sea air with a walk along the sheltered harbour or simply sit back and relax in one of the lovely cafés or restaurants.

Edinburgh is the truly delightful capital city of Scotland, from the atmospheric cobbled streets of the old town and the Royal Mile to the beautiful Georgian avenues of the new town. Edinburgh is a city of contrasts from shopping on renowned Princes Street to its many historic attractions including the world-famous Edinburgh Castle.

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Royal Deeside is an area that captivated Queen Victoria due to its stunning landscape of moody mountains and shimmering rivers. We enjoy these breathtaking panoramas during our excursion and visit some of the region’s most picturesque villages.

Situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, and close to Balmoral Castle, lies the delightful Scottish village of Braemar. This lovely village is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens with an array of ancient pine forests inhabited by an abundance of wildlife, boutique shops, fine places to eat and much more. Discover the medieval ruins of Kindrochit Castle or the fascinating Braemar Castle, both located in the village centre. However you choose to spend your time, you are assured a true Scottish welcome here.

Crathie sits on the banks of the River Dee and is set against the backdrop of the glorious mountain peaks of Lochnagar. The village is famous for its granite kirk, built in 1895 with the proceeds of a bazaar held at Balmoral, and the Royals' local church when staying at Balmoral.

The picturesque village of Ballater sits in the heart of Royal Deeside. Surrounded by countryside, the village is known for its spring water and is the nearest community to Balmoral Castle, which explains the many ‘By Royal Appointment’ signs that can be seen on local independent shops. Take a stroll to admire the historic buildings, browse the Ballater Gallery, which showcases Scottish artists with international reputations, or visit the Royal Station to discover the painstakingly-restored royal waiting room, which re-opened in August 2018 after a devastating fire in 2015.

Known as the Granite City, the thriving sea port of Aberdeen has been described as "one of the most architecturally distinctive cities in Europe" thanks to its sparkling Granite buildings and monuments.  There’s plenty to discover, from Old Aberdeen, with its cobbled streets and 15^th-century cathedral, to the quirky fishing quarter of Footdee at the water’s edge. Look out for dolphins leaping at the harbour mouth and listen for the warming tones of ’Doric’, the local Scots dialect , or why not indulge in some retail therapy in the many shops dotted along the mile-long Union Street.

Nestled in stunning countryside, Stonehaven is a picturesque harbour town on the North East coast of Scotland. The town is famous for its Hogmanay Fireballs Ceremony, where locals swing blazing above their heads to ward off evil spirits. During our visit you may like to discover the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum, rich in history as a former courthouse and jail, enjoy the fresh sea air with a stroll along the sheltered harbour or simply sit back and relax in one of the lovely caf s or restaurants.