Forthcoming Events

The Braemar Junior Highland games . it will take place on the 3rd weekend in July. The emphasis is on children having fun and learning how to do traditional highland events. Includes Junior games & a family Ceilidh in the evening. http://www.braemarjuniorgames.com

The world famous Braemar Highland Games attended by the King & Queen and other members of the Royal family are held on the 1st Saturday in September, taking place in the Duke of Fife Memorial Park. The games attract large crowds every year. www.braemargathering.org

Pipe Bands will be performing in the village each Sunday in July & August.

Local attractions

Balmoral Castle is the Queen’s summer residence and stands on the banks of the River Dee between Braemar and Ballater in the shadows of Lochnagar. The 50,000 acre estate was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848 and is a major visitor attraction during the summer months. www.balmoralcastle.com

Braemar Castle on the outskirts of the village was built in 1628 by John Erskine,Earl of Mar and has been owned by the Farquharsons of Invercauld for the last 250 years. Recently the castle has been taken on by the community of Braemar with an ambitious restoration programme underway. The castle is filled with furnishings and personal memorabilia of the family and a secret corner that is home to Long John Silver and his creator Robert Louis Stevenson who wrote ‘Treasure Island’ in the village. www.braemarcastle.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE Braemar castle is closed until 2024 for major restoration works.

The Duke of Rothesay Highland games Pavillion

Opened by Her Majesty the Queen on the 1st September 2018 the new Highland Games Centre situated in the Games park will tell the story of Highland Games and gatherings. This is due to open to the general public in Spring 2019 and sure to be a major tourist attraction.

The Linn of Dee is a narrow gorge on the river Dee about 6 miles west of Braemar. It is a local beauty spot and one of the main starting points for walking in the Cairngorms.

The Linn of Quoich is a narrow chasm on the river Quoich, and was a favourite place of Queen Victoria’s.

The Lochnagar Distillery is one of the smallest working whisky distilleries in Scotland on the Balmoral estate. This is just a short drive away and makes a fine destination for that rainy day. www.discovering-distilleries.com

Braemar Highland Experience offer tours on private hill roads into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. There’s a chance of seeing red deer, golden eagles, black grouse and mountain hares. Discover a landscape steeped in history and folklore, learning about the land management, flora and fauna while absorbing in the breathtaking views. www.bhe.scot

Braemar

Braemar village lies at the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, and in the Cairngorms National Park. It’s location at the confluence of the glens has assured it’s place in history, it was in Braemar that the standard was raised during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715.

For walkers Braemar has 24 mountains over 3000 feet (munros) of which 3 are over 4000 feet. We also have several low level picturesque walks for all abilities in the surrounding area.

Balmoral Castle, the Queens summer residence and major visitor attraction is just 8 miles away and with the community owned Braemar Castle 1 mile away, you come to realise why Braemar is such a popular destination for people from around the world.

The Duke of Rothesay Highland games Pavillion

We have the highest 18 hole golf course in the UK surrounded by mountains with the river Clunie wending its way through the course. The relaxing yet challenging setting is open from April to October and after a round why not enjoy a drink or meal in the welcoming clubhouse looking out over the 1st fairway. There are other courses in the area including Ballater, Aboyne and Banchory

For whisky lovers there is the Royal Lochnagar distillery, one of the smallest working distilleries in Scotland which is just a short drive away.

In winter we have Glenshee ski centre about 8 miles away and the Lecht ski centre about 45 minutes drive away offering skiing and snowboarding. Glenshee is the largest ski centre in the Uk covering 4 mountains, 3 valleys and with 21 lifts and tows you will find everything from beginners runs through to off piste on Glas Maol.