Aberdeenshire was thrust onto the world’s stage, with the passing of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II. When the Queen stayed in Aberdeenshire last September, no one anticipated this was to be her last visit to her beloved Balmoral.
Our Majestic Aberdeenshire & Deeside
After the news broke many felt and mourned the loss of Her Majesty, and thousands stood along the route of her funeral cortege when the Queen was escorted to Edinburgh. For hours, live television coverage showed the majestic Aberdeenshire countryside and the towns and villages of the northeast in their splendour. It was a wonderful tribute to Her Majesty and showcased Aberdeenshire to the wider world.
Generations of Royal family members have loved Balmoral and the surrounding areas of Deeside. From the tops of Lochnagar and the mountains on the Balmoral estate, to the stunning river Dee snaking its way through rural communities, this region of Aberdeenshire has a beautiful scenery to explore.
Aberdeenshire's Royal Connections
The A93, also known as North Deeside Road, is the main artery that takes visitors from Aberdeen to the East Cairngorms and the villages of Ballater and Braemar. With pretty architecture and a charming traditional village feel, these are both perfect places to spend a little time and explore the surrounding area. Deeside was nicknamed Royal Deeside, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased the Balmoral Estate in 1852, but there are seven other castles in the area. In fact, Aberdeenshire has a vast collection of castles and is a “must go” destination if castles are your passion! But there is so much more to this region.
Balmoral and Royal Deeside Tour
Once again, we are offering our Balmoral and Royal Deeside tours for visitors who are spending a short time in Aberdeenshire and want the ease and fun of traveling in a small group. Our tour will begin with a visit to the Balmoral Estate and include time in Ballater for lunch and a bit of shopping. With several stops showcasing iconic Aberdeenshire attractions and stories of the places we visit, you’ll have a relaxed yet eventful day.
The Balmoral Estate is an extraordinary attraction, and we highly recommend the audio guide as the visit is self-guided. Most of the audio tour will be through the estate grounds and gardens, and visitors will hear stories and information about the castle, the grounds and former workers on the estate. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the one place where the late Queen felt at peace and it was said Balmoral was the one place where she could ‘hang her crown on the gate’ and just be herself.
Join us and let us show you the magic of Aberdeenshire and share with you what makes this part of Scotland a fantastic region to visit.
