Aboyne Highland Games and Ballater Highland Games

Aboyne Highland Games and Ballater Highland Games take place every year. In 2019, Aboyne Highland Games takes place on Saturday 3rd August and Ballater Highland Games takes place on Thursday 8th August.

Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area, here's a short "trailer" I made for the Games in 2012. Any comments or "thumbs up" much appreciated.

The souterrain

In a field on Braehead Farm, near Tullich Church lies a souterrain, a concealed underground space, thought to date back two thousand years. 

The souterrain entrance on Braehead farm

Around 0 AD, the period the souterrain is thought to date back to, the North East of Scotland was occupied by small communities, or tribes, of Pictish people. They later came into conflict with the Romans around 83 - 84AD.

The purpose of the chamber is unknown. It may have been to store grain, or for the community to hide in when they were attacked by their enemies, or a combination of both. A discovery of deposits of greyish-white deposits in the chamber, presumably ash, during exploration in the 1920s suggests the chamber may possibly have been used for rituals of some kind. 

The date of discovery of the souterrain is unknown. There is reference to work being carried out on it in the 1920s but no contemporaneous record of such work survives. 

The entrance leads to a 7' high passage, now largely infilled.

The entrance to the souterrain is a square depression in the ground surrounded by stone slabs. Descent through the entrance leads to a larger chamber which now has been largely infilled with earth but originally lead to a passage 5 1/2' wide by 7' high. The passage leads about 50' northwest. 

The souterrain now seems to be largely filled in, the work in the 1920s suggests that it appears to be filled with sand which suggests it was flooded by the Dee at some stage. 

The souterrain is free to visit but it is on Braehead Farm, a working farm, so please ensure that if you do visit it you make sure that you do not disturb any farm animals or damage any crops and please close any farm gates that you pass through behind you. 

Features on:
Old Railway Line to Cambus o' May
Ballater to Cambus o' May and back

Information courtesy of scotlandsplaces.gov.uk.

Around Ballater Golf Course

A gentle, short walk suitable for almost all walkers and with nice views of the River Dee.

Starting point: Dundarroch Road, 250 metres from Ballater village centre

Distance: short, 2 miles 

Climb: none

Difficulty: easy
Underfoot: good wide paths
Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes
Scenic value: 4/10
Overall rating: 4/10 

Comments: This is a walk for all the family, however due to flooding damage a few years ago the second half of the route is more uneven and probably not suitable for anyone unsteady on their feet. The walk is along the river for the most part with views across of it but be warned - part of the route takes you along the side of the golf course, so - just as when playing golf - you must look-out for wayward drives from golfers. Please be considerate of golfers and pass quietly if they are playing nearby.

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Route

The beginning of this walk is the same as the beginning of the walk along the old railway line to the Bridge of Gairn. My route starts at Dundarroch Road, off Invercauld Road and a short distance from the village centre. However for real lazy-bones there is a car-park about a quarter of the way along the walk, marked on the Google map above, which you can drive to. 

Dundarroch Road

At the end the road narrows into a footpath between two stone posts. Continue along it. 

Continue along the footpath at the end of Dundarroch Road

The footpath emerges onto Old Line Road. This is the proposed route of the railway line west of Ballater although despite a route being chosen and prepared, no trains ever ran west of the village. Continue straight ahead along Old Line Road. 

The road forks. Take the left fork down to the river and the car-park in front of it.

Take the left fork.

You'll come to a car-park. Picnic tables around it have a view of the river. A footpath leads from the far end of the car-park to the edge of the river and turns left along it (pictured). Take this footpath.

Take the footpath at the far end of the car-park and turn left.

Follow the footpath along the river. After a short distance you'll come to a metal gate. The next part of the footpath leads along the side of Ballater golf course. As I said at the beginning be a bit careful here. Don't stray onto the golf-course.  

Beyond the metal gate the path runs alongside the golf course.

One short part of the path leads alongside one of the holes. At this point look out for people driving on the tee. If one of them hooks their shot severely it is possible the ball will come over the path - but it's very rare.

Although you're at the base of the valley the views are still great. Across the river you can see the peaks of Carn a Bheataidh, Creag Liath, Tom an Lagian and Creag Phiobaidh.

Now the path veers right away from the golf course. 

The path veers right away from the golf course.

You'll see many fallen trees on the left side of the path, washed there by the floods several years back. 

The path passes a stony gully on the right. 

The path continues past a stony gully on the right. This of course is the old river bed before it moved to its current course. The path then re-joins the side of the golf course. 

Look out for people teeing-off as the path passes close by the golf course again.

Now comes a trickier part, where there has been a bit of flood damage. The path comes raised on an embankment, at the end of it there is a slope down to the left. Go down the slope, taking care. 

The path continues onto a raised embankment.

At the end of the embankment go down the slope to the left. 

To the right, there is a narrow footpath through the grass, follow the footpath 

Take the footpath through the grass. 

After a few twits and turns the footpath reaches an area of denser undergrowth on both sides and trees on the right. Keep going.

After a while you come to denser undergrowth on both sides.

You will pass close to the golf course again. As before, please be quiet if peole are trying to play their shots. 

You'll pass close to the golf course for the final time. 

A short distance later there is a slope down to an opening in the trees on the right. Beyond that is a pebble 'beach' and an area suitable for paddling on a sunny day.

A slope on the right leads down to a paddling area.

The path reaches a caravan site. You can turn sharp left which leads up to the Ballater golf club-house, the tennis courts and the bowling green. However, I would suggest continuing straight on, across the caravan site. If you do that you'll pass a children's play area on your right. 

Go straight on, through the caravan site. 

On the other side of the camp-site those with prams may want to follow the road round to the left which leads back into the village centre along pavements, however, for everyone else, I'd suggest going straight on through the metal gate to the river. 

Unless you've got a pram or similar, I'd suggest going straight on.

You'll cross a grassy area and pass some lovely old Ballater houses. After that, I'd advise taking the road on your left, which is Dee Street. That leads back towards the village. 

The alternative is to go straight ahead here but this area has been quite badly eroded in the floods so I don't advise it. 

I'd advise then turning left up Dee Street. 

Take the first right on Dee Street and it will take you to the village high street. 

Go up Dee Street, then take the first right. 

Congratulations! You've completed the walk around Ballater Golf Course. 

The Seven Bridges Trail

The 4th Bridge: Pollhollick Bridge over the Dee. 

*** UPDATE: Polhollick Bridge has now re-opened after flood damage in 2015 and therefore it is possible to complete this walk again ***

Starting point: Ballater Bridge over the Dee

Distance:  long (6.2 miles / 10 km)

Climb: 50m, very gentle

Difficulty: easy, except for the length and 200m on a narrow path
Underfoot: mainly roads or Land Rover tracks, 200m on narrow grassy path
Estimated time to complete:  3 hours
Scenic value: 6/10
Overall rating: 5/10

View The Seven Bridges Trail in a larger map

Comments: The Seven Bridges Trail is a good choice for those looking for a walk of a good length but with not too much uphill and which is almost entirely on wide, flat tracks. In fact it lends itself to mountain-biking because you could do almost all of it on bike and easily push the bikes along the short parts on where you couldn't ride them. 

The walk also takes in some interesting local history: the kids will love the ruins of Knock Castle, and you will also see the wrought-iron Polhollick Bridge, The Queen Mother's old fishing lodge and learn the story of the railway line west of Ballater which was built but on which trains never ran - because a certain monarch decided she wasn't keen on the idea. 

Craigendarroch - to the top and back

Rough underfoot, steep in places, but what a view, and walking distance from Ballater village.

Starting point: Craigendarroch Walk, 300 metres from Ballater village centre.

Distance: short (2 miles / 3 km)

Climb: hard, 200m

Difficulty: hard, steep in places and uneven underfoot
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour 30 mins
Scenic value: 9/10
Overall rating: 9/10 

Comments: The distinctive pudding-bowl shape of Craigendarroch dominates the Ballater skyline so it would be a shame not to go up it at least once. Plus the view from the top is one of the best on Deeside. Also at the top is a distinctive geological feature: deep score-marks in the exposed rock caused by rocks dragged across it by a glacier that covered the whole of Deeside during the Ice Age. 

However, the pudding bowl-shape means that near the top the path, which is no more than a wide rabbit-track, becomes steep, rocky and slippery when it is wet or icy. Expect to clamber over stones and rocks. Definitely not one for anyone who is at all unsteady on their feet or young children. Proper hillwalking boots or at least trainers with good grips are strongly advised.

Beware that there are steep crags to the north and south of the summit. The path I've suggested does not take you close to them but, in case you inadvertently lose the path, always keep a close look-out ahead and ensure that children do not climb the hill except under close adult supervision.  

The green flag indicates my suggested outward path. The red flag marks the return route. My suggested path is marked dark blue but I've put in the start of other paths that lead off it in light blue to help you keep your bearings. 

Creagan Riabhach

On a still, sunny day, this walk gives some awesome views...

Starting point: Ballater village centre, the Old Railway Station square

Distance:  long (7 miles / 11.2 km)

Climb: 347m, steady climb

Difficulty: medium
Underfoot: ok, along good paths, Landrover tracks or roads
Estimated time to complete: 3 hours
Scenic value: 9/10
Overall rating: 9/10

View Creagan Riabhach in a larger map

Comments: This is a cracking walk up the hill to the north east of Ballater that you can see from the village and which is distinctive because of the aerial on top. In fact the summit you can see is just a shoulder of Creagan Riabhach, a peak behind it. 

This walk takes you from Ballater village centre up Creagan Riabhach. There is a very pretty walk across the top of Creagan Riabhach where on clear days you have a view to Morven to the north and all the way to Lochnagar, 12 miles to the south west. 

Alternatively, instead of starting from the village you can drive to a lay by on the Pass of Ballater. If you do that it takes about 2 miles off the walk's length.

The only downside of the walk is the slightly boring last half mile along the B972, the Pass of Ballater, back into the village, but I suggest taking a detour along the river at the end which is a bit more interesting and which passes the Queen Mother's fishing hut on the Dee. 

A strongly recommended walk for a sunny day.

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Route  

I've taken a starting point for this walk of the west side of Ballater Old Railway Station where there is this board (below), erected by the Upper Deeside Access Trust. The walks shown on the board include many of the walks on this website, including this one, although I've suggested a slightly longer walk to the one shown. My version has a different route down and hopefully some really great views. 

The walk begins at this board erected by the Upper Deeside Access Trust

From the board walk along the front Ballater station. To the east the station is a passageway that leads to the old railway line. When you arrive at the railway line walk along it (you can only go one way) which will be east. 

Walk past Ballater station, through the passageway on your left and then along the old railway line. 

Walk along the old railway line for a short distance. There a number of paths leading off to the left. Take one. It doesn't really matter which. Here is one pictured below. The one I've suggested on the map is a short distance after this. 

Take one of the paths off to the left. 

Whichever turn you take, you'll come out onto Provost Craig Road. Off to your left will be the village green where the annual highland games are held. To the left of this a path leads under some trees (just to the right of the red fence in the photo below). Take this path. 

Take the path to the right of the red fence

Here's a close-up of the path:

The path leads along the side of the village green.

Walk along the path under the trees. Another path will cross it but keep going. 

Ignore paths crossing from the left or right

The footpath continues roughly east, past fields on your right. 

The path passes fields on the right. 

After a couple of hundred yards the path bends to the left and into a little cul-de-sac called Morven Way. Keep going in the same direction and it will come out into a road, which is the B972 the Pass of Ballater. 

The path opens out into a road. Go straight ahead. 

Turn right on the Pass of Ballater. You will see a road sign that says "Tullich". Walk along the Pass of Ballater looking out for traffic. 

Turn right on the road and pass the "Tullich" roadsign

The car park

You pass a power sub-station. After a short further distance there is a lay by with space for a car to park on the left with a path leading off up the hill. If you want to shorten the walk you can drive to this spot and leave the car here. 

Take the Landrover track that leads off to the left up the hill. Sometimes if there is forestry work going on you'll see a warning sign. In my experience provided you stay on the track there will be no problem. 

Take path to the left at the layby.

Follow the Landrover track up the hill. You'll pass a "ride" - a break in the trees - with telephone lines. Keep going.

Follow the Landrover track past the telephone lines

Another Landrover track leads off to the right. Ignore it and keep following the Landrover track that leads gently up the hill. 

Ignore the turning to the right, keep going up the hill

The track continues for some distance curving round to the left up the hill. The trees thin out. 

The path climbs around the hill.

Eventually you come out of the trees. Crannach Hill is to the right. Ahead of you is Morven (871m). 

Ahead of you is Morven.

The Landrover track now curves round so that you are heading back west, continuing to climb Creagan Riabhach. Soon the path arrives in the saddle between two peaks. The path branches. Take the path to the right. However, if you want to see the antennae and a view across the Dee valley, you may want to take the path to the left first. I've marked the left fork in light blue on the map above. 

Take the right fork, but you can go left first if you like

If you take the left hand fork

If you do take the left path first to see the antennae you'll pass this pond (below) to one side. 

On a clear day the crags you can see behind the pond are the crags of Carn Mor (1150m). There is a loch at the base of the crags, Lochnagar (it's one word - don't ask me why), and as a result everyone calls the crags "Lochnagar". They are about 14 miles away. 

The mountain in the distance is Lochnagar

The left hand fork leads to an antennae which is what you can see from Ballater village.  

The lefthand fork ends at an antennae

From the foot of the antennae is a good view of the valley. The snow covered peak to the right is Mount Keen (939m), about 8 miles south.

From the antennae you can see Mount Keen to the south.

The right hand fork

By now you should either have been to the antennae and back or should have taken the right hand path at the fork.

Once you have taken the right fork bear right again to head up the hill. You may see another track in the heather going straight on - ignore this.  

After taking the right hand fork in the Landrover track bear right up the hill.

Now you are climbing up to the summit of Creagan Riabhach itself, 533m above sea level. As you continue to follow the path the trees will thin out. You may spot less well defined tracks off to either side - ignore them, keep on the same path, which for now will be taking you up the hill, away from Ballater. 

The trees thin out as you reach the top of Creagan Riabhach

The top of Creagan Riabhach is quite flat, here's a photo of it below. This is taken looking back i.e. not the way you should be going, so don't get confused - you should still be walking away from Ballater at this point. 

In this photo Mount Keen is the snows-covered peak to the left. Ballater is in the centre and Craigendarroch is on the right. 

Looking back, Mount Keen is to the left, the village of Ballater and Craigendarroch are on the right.

Keep following the path along what is essentially now a plateau, with great views on both sides on a clear day. Below is a photograph of the view to the left - Lochnagar in the distance. 

Lochnagar from the top of Creagan Riabhach

For the last 500m or so you will have been walking almost directly away from Ballater. You may see some other paths around you. Don't worry, when you get to the right junction you can't miss it. 

Before long you'll come to a junction in the Landrover track (below). Take the left hand track - which leads directly back towards Ballater. 

Turn left when you come to the junction in the paths.

You can't see Ballater at first but may make out Mount Keen in the distance. Take this path:

After going left at the junction the path leads back south, you may see Mount Keen in the distance. 

The path leads down the hill and into a wood:

The path leads into a wood.

Walk through the wood, shortly the path comes out the other side and continues to descend the hill. 

Keep following the path down the hill. 

Now the path runs alongside the Lorn Burn. To your right is Balmenach farm and somewhere beyond it is the ruins of Abergairn Castle. Ahead of you is the back of Craigendarroch. 

Keep following the path back towards Craigendarroch Hill.

During the walk don't be surprised if you see prints like these (below) in the soil. They are from the hooves of deer that are common in the hills.  

The distinctive two semi-circles of a deer's hoof print.

The path flattens out then crosses the Lorn Burn (below). 

Cross the burn and bear to the left. 

There is a final hundred yards though the trees before path emerges back onto the Pass of Ballater (the B972). 

If you left your car at the car park on the Pass of Ballater then turn left here and walk along the Pass of Ballater to return to it (marked in light blue on the map). 

If you walked all the way from the old railway station then turn right. I'll show you a different way to get back to Ballater. 

The path joins the Pass of Ballater. Turn right for the carpark, left for Ballater village

For those who have turned right, follow the road around Craigendarroch.  

The Pass of Ballater leads around Craigendarroch. 

Soon you'll come to the junction between the Pass of Ballater and the main A93 Braemar Road.  I haven't got a photo to illustrate what to do when you get to the A93 so let me try and explain carefully: 

When you get to the A93 (the Braemar Road) cross over that road. Turn right. Only a couple of metres away is a break in the fence. There is a footpath leading downhill to the old railway line. 

Go through the break in the fence and follow the footpath down to the old railway line. 

Cross the main road and go through the gap in the fence at the far side. Follow the footpath downhill to the old railway line.  

When you reach the old railway line (now a wide footpath) turn left and walk towards Ballater. The River Dee should be on your right, on the far side of some fields. 

"Polvier" - HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's fishing hut

Not long after you have started walking along the old railway line you should see a wooden fishing hut across the water. This is "Polvier", the late fishing hut favoured by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother when she was staying at Balmoral. 

"Polvier", HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's fishing hut

Continue to follow the old railway line down river for 200 yards or so back into Ballater village. 

Walk along the old railway line. The river should be on your right.

The old railway line meets a road. The photograph below is taken looking back the way you have come. Keep going straight on along the road which is Old Line Road, into Ballater. 

Continue going straight when the old railway line meets a road.

Walk along Old Line Road. It will go round a corner to the left and rejoin the main Braemar road. Don't follow the Old Line Road round the corner. Instead there is a footpath straight ahead - take it. 

Don't go round the corner - follow this foot path to Dundarroch Road instead. 

The foot path comes out onto Dundarroch Road. At the end of Dundarroch Road turn left onto Invercauld Road.  

From Dundarroch Road turn left onto Invercauld Road

Walk up to the main road. You should emerge by "The Auld Kirk" church. Turn right on the main road and walk back to the station square where you started from. 

Congratulations, you have finished the walk up Creagan Riabhach!