Royal Lochnagar Distillery – In 1848 canny owner John Begg invited Prince Albert, who was known “to make himself acquainted with all things mechanical”, to visit. Queen Victoria, Albert and their three eldest children visited and bestowed a By Royal Appointment warrant. www.discovering-distilleries.com
Crathes Castle – An iconic fairy tale castle, its stunning four-acre garden features plants and trees brought back from the Victorian Laird’s plant gathering trips to North America, including a 40m tall giant sequoia. www.nts.org.uk Aboyne – Victoria and Albert frequently rested in picturesque Aboyne en route from Aberdeen to Balmoral with their horse drawn retinue, in the days before the train. The spectacle of the Aboyne Highland Games, established in 1867, takes place on the first Saturday in August.
ROYAL DEESIDE
Crathie Kirk – In 1893 Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone for the present Crathie Kirk and it remains a place of worship for the Royal Family today. Built by public donations, a gift of £2,000 was made by two of Victoria’s daughters from a bazaar held in Balmoral Castle grounds.
www.aboynegames.com
Crathie Kirk Graveyard – The burial ground of many members of the Balmoral household, most notably Queen Victoria’s servant John Brown. Several headstones have personal epitaphs from Queen Victoria.
Finzean Estate – Victorian artist Joseph Farquharson, “The Painting Laird” famed for his oil paintings of sheep in the snow, is one of 16 generations of the Farquharson family who have lived here for over 400 years. www.finzean.com
Cambus O’May Bridge – One of the finest examples of intricate white ironwork Victorian bridges across the River Dee.
Linn Of Dee – The bridge, opened by Queen Victoria in 1857, crosses the River Dee where the normally wide river passes through a narrow, rocky gorge.
Mar Lodge and Estate – Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone for this hunting lodge in 1895. Queen Victoria’s tearoom, a small estate building at the Linn of Quoich, is so named as it was used for Royal Family picnics.
Ballater – The town which has more By Royal Appointment warrants - a mark of excellence first used in Tudor times but popularised by Queen Victoria to certify high quality - than any other comparable place in the world. Home to Victoria Week held annually in August.
www.nts.org.uk
www.victoriaweek.org
Ballater Old Royal Station – A visitor centre that commemorates Queen Victoria’s visits with the unique Royal waiting room and a replica of the Royal train carriage used by Victoria in 1869.
Glen Muick – This picturesque loch is on the boundary of the Balmoral Estate and the bothy Glas-allt-Shiel, built by Victoria and mentioned frequently in her diaries, sits on its banks.
Several attractions are open seasonally. Any times of opening correct at going to press. Contact the attractions directly for full information on opening hours or visit www.discoverroyaldeeside.com
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Follow in Queen Victoria’s footsteps in Royal Deeside and explore Scotland’s crowning glory.
Lonach Gathering – Held annually on the fourth Saturday in August in Strathdon, and marked with the colourful parade of the Lonach Highlanders, this Highland Games event reached prominence during Queen Victoria’s reign. The men of Lonach twice marched to the Braemar Gathering where Victoria presented them with colours. www.lonach.org Queen’s View – This Donside viewpoint earned its name as Queen Victoria’s favourite vista taking in Lochnagar, Morven and Mount Keen.
Braemar Castle – Just 9 miles from Balmoral, Queen Victoria hosted the Braemar Gathering at the Castle, after becoming patron of the games in 1848, before the Gathering moved to The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park. www.braemarcastle.co.uk Braemar – Eminent Victorian writer Robert Louis Stevenson holidayed in Braemar in 1871 – and wrote Treasure Island to amuse his step son. It’s home to the world famous Braemar Gathering held annually on the first Saturday in September. www.braemargathering.org
Braemar Castle Mar Lodge
Linn of Dee
Drum Castle – Originally erected in the 13th century, the building was greatly expanded during Victorian times. The unique merger of architectural character from the 19th century and Jacobean era makes this a fascinating marriage of styles.
Lonach Gathering
www.nts.org.uk Brown signposted official visitor trail Additional places of Victorian Heritage interest
Strathdon Queen’s View
Cambus O’May
Kincardine O’Neil
Royal Deeside Crathes Railway Castle
Drum Castle
Potarch Crathie Ballater
Braemar
Old Royal Ballater Station
Crathie Kirk Graveyard
Balmoral Castle
Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Glen Tanar Estate
Aboyne
Finzean Estate
Royal Deeside Railway – The track served generations of the Royal Family and crowned heads of Europe including Queen Victoria and the Tsar of Russia before closure in 1966. A one-mile stretch has been restored allowing trains to run once more.
Glen Muick
www.deeside-railway.co.uk
Fettercairn
Balmoral Castle – The original castle was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852 and promptly demolished! Albert helped with the design of the present Balmoral which was completed in 1856. Victoria called it “my dear paradise in the Highlands”. Grounds, gardens and exhibitions open daily April to July only. www.balmoralcastle.com
Glen Tanar Estate – Victorian merchant banker Sir Cunliffe Brooks was responsible for creating the distinct architecture of this Highland hunting estate from the Victorian Ballroom to the Tower of Ess, game larders and workers’ cottages. Visitor centre and estates open all year round. www.glentanar.co.uk
Fettercairn – This magnificent memorial arch across the main street was erected in 1864 and commemorates Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s visit in 1861.
www.discoverroyaldeeside.com