| Ballater | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Bealadair | |
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Ballater
Ballater shown within Aberdeenshire |
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| Population | 1,446 [1] (2001 census) est. 1,520[2] (2006) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | NO369958 |
| Council area | Aberdeenshire |
| Lieutenancy area | Aberdeenshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BALLATER |
| Postcode district | AB35 |
| Dialling code | 01339 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine |
| Scottish Parliament | West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Ballater (Scottish Gaelic: Bealadair) is a burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on the River Dee, immediately east of the Cairngorm Mountains. Situated at a height of 123m (700ft) in elevation, Ballater is a centre for hikers and known for its spring water, once said to cure scrofula.
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The medieval pattern of development along this reach of the River Dee was influenced by the ancient trackways across the Grampian Mounth, which determined strategic locations of castles and other Deeside settlements of the Middle Ages.[3]
In the early 14th century, the area was part of the estates of the Knights of St John, but the settlement did not develop until around 1770; first as a spa resort to accommodate visitors to the Pananich Mineral Well, then later upon the arrival of the railway in 1866 (since closed). Ballater railway station was closed in 1966. Many buildings date from the Victorian era and the centre of the village is a conservation area.
Balmoral Castle, the British Royal Family's holiday home, lies approximately 14km west, and the family has visited the town frequently since the time of Queen Victoria. Birkhall lies about 2km south-west of Ballater. The Victoria Barracks is used by the Royal Guard for the castle.
Local stores, including the butchers on the High Street and an outdoor sports shop, had for decades Royal Warrants bestowed upon them. Five years after the passing of the Queen Mother, who was the royal person who had granted them, the warrants lapsed and, to the chagrin of many townsfolk and especially shop owners, were removed[4].
The summer of 2005 saw record temperatures in the region[5], with many Cadet training activities near Ballater being cancelled.
A MetOffice Weather Station collects weather data at Balmoral, just under 7 miles to the west of Ballater. As with the rest of the British Isles and Scotland, Ballater experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Its upland position however means temperatures throughout the year are cooler than lower lying areas, and snowfall more plentiful during winter months.
| Climate data for Balmoral 1971-2000, 283m asl, Extremes 1960- | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 15.8 (60.4) |
13.9 (57.0) |
17.8 (64.0) |
22.7 (72.9) |
25.3 (77.5) |
28.3 (82.9) |
29.0 (84.2) |
29.5 (85.1) |
25.4 (77.7) |
20.9 (69.6) |
17.3 (63.1) |
13.7 (56.7) |
29.5 (85.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 4.6 (40.3) |
5.0 (41.0) |
7.0 (44.6) |
9.6 (49.3) |
13.1 (55.6) |
15.8 (60.4) |
18.2 (64.8) |
17.5 (63.5) |
14.1 (57.4) |
10.7 (51.3) |
7.0 (44.6) |
5.2 (41.4) |
10.65 (51.17) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −2 (28.4) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
0.8 (33.4) |
3.2 (37.8) |
6.2 (43.2) |
8.3 (46.9) |
7.8 (46.0) |
5.9 (42.6) |
3.3 (37.9) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
2.52 (36.53) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −23.5 (−10.3) |
−19.5 (−3.1) |
−18.2 (−0.8) |
−10 (14) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−1 (30.2) |
−3 (26.6) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
−22.7 (−8.9) |
−23.5 (−10.3) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 96.72 (3.8079) |
59.04 (2.3244) |
65.26 (2.5693) |
57.92 (2.2803) |
57.31 (2.2563) |
52.76 (2.0772) |
51.09 (2.0114) |
58.75 (2.313) |
75.3 (2.965) |
93.3 (3.673) |
84.89 (3.3421) |
80.56 (3.1717) |
832.9 (32.791) |
| Source: Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI[6] | |||||||||||||
Ballater is a centre for tourism in Royal Deeside, with the Cairngorms and Balmoral Castle nearby. There are two bike hire shops in the village for exploring the surrounding rugged landscape: Cycle Highlands[7] and The Bike Station[8] The old Ballater station, containing Queen Victoria's waiting room, is now a visitor centre with a replica royal carriage.[9] Balmoral Castle is a 10-minute drive from the village.
Wherever you venture out of the village, there are many walks. For the easy going walker, there is Craigendarroch, a small, peculiarly shaped hill that you can commence up immediately from the village. About 12km south-west of Ballater is the impressive Loch Muick. From there experienced walkers can head up the prominent mountain, Lochnagar. Ballater is the home of many challenging walks due to the abundance of Munros in the area.
Events in the town include:
The village has its own 'tongue in cheek', on-line newspaper, the Ballater Bugle.[13]
Recently five Ballater residents refurbished the Automobile Association's Patrol Box at Cambus O'May, one of only 8 to 10 such historical call centres estimated to be remaining in situ within the United Kingdom.[14]
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