Aberdeen Royal Deeside and Historic Tour

Starting from Aberdeen we trace the river Dee to Balmoral where you can walk in the footsteps of generations of Royals who have called this estate home.
*Balmoral Estate is closed from 12th of August 24 until 1 October 24. We visit the National Trust For Scotland's Crathes Castle during the closure.

Take a stroll in the charming Victorian village of Ballater, explore the local heritage, the Victorian train station and the views of the area.

Next, we visit the iconic Cambus O'May suspension bridge, before we continue our journey to the Tomnavarie Stone Circle.

Finally, on our way back to Aberdeen, we stop at Queen Victoria's favourite views of Aberdeenshire.

Meeting Point

William Wallace Statue

Union Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1NP, UK

Next to the William Wallace Statue in front of His Majesty's Theatre on Rosemount Viaduct. (AB10 1NP)

Not included:

• Entries & Tour fees

What to expect:

Duration: 7 hours, 30 minutes

Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Estates, , Ballater, AB35 5TB

*Balmoral Castle & Estate is closed from the 12th of August until the 1st of October 24. This tour stop will be changed to the National Trust for Scotland's- Crathes Castle thereafter.
Balmoral is a treasured family home for the Royal family since 1850, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert chose this beautiful region to create their great escape. A landscape with stunning views of the hills and mountains, fields of heather and the majestic river Dee that flows through it.

The estate was the late Queen Elizabeth's private country retreat in Scotland and a beloved home. King Charles III has a great affection for the castle and grounds and often spends time walking through the estate.

We highly recommend listening to the audio tour. The audio will share stories and guides you around the estate.

The Ballroom is only room open to visitors within the Castle. The objects in the Ballroom are from within the Castle, and are all objects that belong to the Royal Family.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Ballater

Ballater

The Victorian village of Ballater sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, at the eastern gateway to the Cairngorms National Park, making it one of Scotland’s most scenic visitor spots.
A stroll around the village reveals an interesting range of specialty shops and good selection of restaurants and cafes to enjoy some of the local food & drink. Notice the shops which display Royal Warrants on their store fronts, a sure sign of quality and support from the Royal family.
Sitting alongside the river Dee and surrounded by hills and mountains, Ballater is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Be sure to visit the beautiful Victorian Railway Station and the tourist information centre which has more information about the village. Walk past the Victorian Barracks, still in use, when the Royal family are staying in Balmoral.

1 hour

Cambus O' May Suspension Bridge

River Dee, Cambus O’ May, Ballater, AB35 5QS

The Cambus O' May suspension bridge spans the river Dee and is a legacy from the estate of Alexander Gordon. Built in 1905, the footbridge is 50 m long and carries visitors to the other side. The Deeside Way, a trail following the former Deeside Railway, passes the north-eastern end of the bridge. Footpaths from the bridge lead to Torphantrick wood and the Muir of Dinnet nature reserve, popular spots for visitors who enjoy woodland walks and wild swimming in the river.

20 minutes

Tomnaverie Stone Circle

Tarland, Aboyne AB34 4YQ, UK

Tomnaverie is a recumbent stone circle, a kind of monument found only in north-eastern Scotland. Their characteristic feature is a large stone on its side, flanked by two upright stones, usually on the south or south-west arc of the circle. The stone circle surrounds a burial cairn dating to about 4,500 years ago. Relatively little is known about why we have these structures, there are several theories which you’ll discover on your visit.

30 minutes

B9119

B9119, Tarland, Aboyne AB34 4TL, UK

Just outside Tarland is the Queen's View, reportedly one of Queen Victoria's favourite views over the Howe of Cromar towards Lochnagar. We will stop to admire the view and on a good day, where you can see 12 different hills and Munros!

15 minutes