Named for its royal connections dating back to Queen Victoria, Royal Deeside is the picturesque region of Scotland which borders the River Dee and stretches from Aberdeen in the east to Balmoral and Braemar in the west. This wonderful valley surrounded by majestic peaks is well worth exploring.

Deeside Mountain Views © VisitAberdeenshire / Damian Shields

Royal Deeside is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland. Set against a backdrop of ancient Scots pine forest, the River Dee winds its way down from the Cairngorm plateau through a valley of castles, country estates and delightful Victorian villages. It is a panorama that captivated Queen Victoria in the 1840s and has been drawing visitors ever since.

Officially, the eastern gateway to Royal Deeside is the lively town of Banchory, 18 miles west of Aberdeen, but no visit to this part of Scotland would be complete without a visit to ‘the Granite City’. Famed for its splendid, grey-stone buildings, Aberdeen is the perfect place to begin your tour.

Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen © VisitScotland

From historic streets to vibrant neighbourhoods, Aberdeen is bursting with culture, history and memorable experiences. Discover the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen; take a walk along the golden sands of Aberdeen Beach; explore Footdee, known locally as Fittie, a charming former fishing village full of character and history, or wander through the bustling Rosemount quarter filled with independent shops, cafés, and restaurants.

St Machars Cathedral in Old Aberdeen © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

While Royal Deeside is the perfect place to enjoy walking and cycling, the best way to get around easily is by car, although public bus services connect many of the towns and villages. Pick up a car rental in Aberdeen for self-drive or choose your own private driver guide and travel in style.

For walkers and cyclists, the 41 mile (66 km) long Deeside Way is the ideal route to follow. Starting in the centre of Aberdeen, the trail follows the old royal railway line, close to the River Dee, through the heart of rural Aberdeenshire to Ballater in Royal Deeside, within the Cairngorms National Park.

Crathes Castle near Banchory © VisitAberdeenshire / Damian Shields

Banchory sits at the confluence of the Rivers Dee and Feugh and offers a good range of accommodation, restaurants, and shops alongside easy access to some of Deeside's finest attractions. Crathes Castle, a magnificent 16th-century tower house, is just a few miles east of the town and Drum Castle, which combines one of the oldest tower houses in Scotland with a later mansion house and walled garden, is similarly close. The Falls of Feugh on the southern edge of Banchory are a spectacular natural attraction, particularly in autumn when Atlantic salmon can be seen leaping upstream.

A quiet and attractive village set around a large village green, Aboyne has a relaxed character that makes it a popular stop for visitors heading further up the valley. The annual Aboyne Highland Games, held on the green each August, is one of the most traditional and well-attended in the region.

Old Railway Station, Ballater © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

The jewel of Royal Deeside is Ballater, a beautifully preserved Victorian village that grew up around the arrival of the royal family and the railway in the 19th century. Its main street is lined with independent shops, cafés and restaurants, many of them bearing historic Royal Warrants of Appointment, and the surrounding mountains provide some of the finest walking and cycling in the Cairngorms National Park.

Balmoral © VisitScotland / Richard Elliot

Just a few miles west of Ballater is Balmoral Castle, the royal family's Scottish residence since Queen Victoria fell in love with the area in 1848. The grounds, gardens and a selection of rooms are open to visitors each summer, providing a rare and fascinating glimpse into royal life in Scotland.

A view towards Braemar © VisitScotland / Jakob Iwanicki

Beyond Balmoral at the head of Royal Deeside sits Braemar, surrounded on all sides by mountains at the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. At around 340 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest villages in Scotland, and the landscape here has a wilder character than in the lower valley.

The Braemar Gathering, held on the first Saturday of September each year, is the most famous Highland Games in Scotland and is regularly attended by members of the royal family. It is a spectacular event drawing visitors from around the world.

King Charles at the Braemar Gathering © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Royal Deeside undeniably gets busy in summer when schoolchildren are on holiday and the royal family is in residence at Balmoral, but in spring and autumn you can enjoy the beauty of the valley with fewer crowds. It’s easy to make a foray or two into Royal Deeside for the day from Aberdeen, but with a range of accommodation to suit all budgets in and around the valley, it’s rewarding to stay longer in this wonderful part of Scotland.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to Royal Deeside on a tailor-made tour of Scotland, please do contact our friendly team today. We can put together the perfect itinerary that includes the best places to visit, top restaurants offering delicious food and the most comfortable places to stay. Or perhaps you would like to take a tour of Britain's Royal Palaces? If so, we can help!