Balmoral & Royal Deeside Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. 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 Ballroom is only room open to visitors within the Castle. *Balmoral Castle & Estate is closed from 9th of August until the 29th of September 2026. This tour stop will be changed to Braemar Castle and Braemar village during this time

   2 h

2. 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 h

3. 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 min

4. 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 min

5. 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 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 108 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Aberdeen

• Its from-price is 82% below the median of the 33 day trips we list in Aberdeen.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 33.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a granite city on Scotland's north-east coast, with a historic university, a fishing and oil port, beaches and castles in the countryside.

Aberdeen stands between the rivers Dee and Don on the North Sea, a city built of grey granite that glints with mica in the sun. Old Aberdeen, with its cobbled High Street, the crown tower of King's College chapel and St Machar's Cathedral, preserves a medieval university town, while Marischal College, a vast neo-Gothic granite frontage, looks over Broad Street. Footdee, a small fishing community of low cottages, sits by the harbour mouth.

Top-ranked sights in Aberdeen: Slains Castle, Crathes Castle, Drum Castle, Garden & Estate.

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