From Ballater, guests can explore a variety of Scottish landscapes. The valley of Royal Deeside stretches from the Linn of Dee near Braemar, a favourite picnic spot in summer, to Aberdeen on the coast, 44 miles away.

Balmoral Castle has been the summer residence of the British royal family since Victorian times and is very near to Ballater. In the months of August and September guests will usually be able to see members of the Royal Family making their way to and from church at Crathie and can attend the same service.

This is whisky and castle country! There are whisky distilleries galore in wild glens - famous names, such as Glen Livet and Glenfiddich have their homes here, as well as the local Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

There are castles all around, each with their own story, their own history and their own ghosts - romanatic Crathes, lonely Corgaff, dramatic Dunottar are just a sample.

There are standing stones and beauty spots where secret meetings plotted the future of a nation.