The hotel with Royal connections

Advantages: Location, history, friendly owners
Disadvantages: Not open in winter

...This review of the Pannanich Wells Hotel is a more brief history of the place than a review. I know the owners & it wouldn?t be an impartial review if I was to write about the hotel. The history of the place is interesting as is the location of the nearest town called Ballater. PANNANICH WELLS HOTEL Ballater has become famous for its royal connections (more about that later) but long before Queen Victoria came to the area it was made famous as being another British spa town, providing water that healed. It still runs today from the Pannanich Wells on the east side, south of the River Dee. It?s now bottled as Deeside water & sold around the world including in supermarkets such as Tesco & Sainsbury?s. It has become very popular recently after two independent tests confirmed that it really does have healing properties in...

ScottishWestie 24.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Pannanich Wells Hotel and Piggies Restaurant, Ballater

Braemar Report

Advantages: Quiet, away from it all, great base for activities.
Disadvantages: None

...not in use and one can have a look around if it so interested. We did just that, and I was surprised at how small it was, for such a big event, with quite small stands. However, I did feel an air of grandeur there, and could almost hear the ancient echoes of cheers of old? the senses of victory? the smells of defeat. How to get there? From Aberdeen, Braemar is 60 miles west of Aberdeen on the A93. From Perth, Braemar is 50 miles A93 via Blairgowrie. From Inverness, Take the A9 to Aviemore, A95 to Grantown-on-Spey, A939 to Ballater and then the A93 to Braemar. There are plenty of Hotels, B and B's and camp sites near by. Can't upload photos... but will do in time... ?....

Borg 24.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of Braemar (Scotland)

The Loch of the Swine.

Advantages: Great scenery, and low level walking suitable for all.
Disadvantages: Higher level walking for experienced hillwalkers only.

...a history which is not easy to trace, but was apparently built by Queen Victoria, and was a favoured haunt of the Monarch and John Brown. As you cover the last couple of miles on a much “improved” landrover track, you will soon reached the point where you forked for Capel Mounth at the start of your trek. As you return to the car park, safe and sound, and no doubt planning your next expedition, spare a thought for the last military men to cross the Mounth. On 12th February 1745, a contingent of Highland men loyal to Prince Charles Edward Stuart crossed from Clen Clova on their way to Culloden. They paid a tragic price for such a beautiful journey. Facty bits. Loch Muick is in the eastern Cairngorms. From Aberdeen, take the A93 west to Ballater. In Ballater, cross the bridge to the south side of the River Dee...

Aspen 19.03.2001 (16.03.2001) · Read review
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Review of Loch Muick (Scotland)

Craigendarroch Hilton - secluded bliss.

Advantages: Relaxing location, away from it all in the Scottish Highlands. Superb views.
Disadvantages: None that I can think of.

...cafe-bar. We didn't try the acclaimed restaurant, choosing to explore the local town of Ballater, where we ate well - and for a very good price. This was the weekend of the Queen Mother's funeral and consequently, as we dined, we were treated to the spectacle of a Marching band of bagpipers and drummers moving down the street past the restaurant. I just love bagpipes. Just for the sake of rachelsratty, I'll digress (!) and admit to being able to play "Amazing Grace" on the pipes - but it's a real effort! Anyway - back to the hotel... A complimentary newspaper was delivered to our room in the morning. It would have been better if the title I'd actually ordered had been delivered, but I'm not one to complain about such trivia! All in all, it was a great hotel, and a really relaxing stay. The staff were friendly and efficient. Given...

andymcf 02.11.2002 (21.11.2002) · Read review
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Review of Hilton Hotel (Craigendarroch)

The Glen of the Fairies

Advantages: Something for everyone whatever the age
Disadvantages: Can often be cut off by the snow

...the snow? This is what we felt the first couple of time we went. It's not until this point that it's almost like driving into another world, all of a sudden the snow just seems to appear, the temperature on the car starts to drop and the road starts to climb. It's amazing how much weather conditions can change by just taking a bend in the road! From Aberdeen the journey is slightly longer and takes approximately 1 ½ hours passing through the Royal Deeside town of Ballater. WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT IN THE WINTER Once you reach the ski resort you will find 2 very large parking areas, which is usually ample space but again, if there has been a good amount of snowfall, they can be very busy and also very treacherous, with many a car getting stuck, but not to worry there are always plenty people willing to help push you out again...

lel1969 08.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of Glenshee

Best Scottish skiing I've had so far.

Advantages: Its handy
Disadvantages: Unreliable

...thought, seen as I got up to the car park for 8:00. I didn’t hire my skies from Glenshee itself. There is a place in the centre of Braemar called Victoria Hall that houses the Braemar ski school, who also do hires. Telephone bookings on 07768517829 or email skibraemar@hotmail.com. They have a selection of Head Carvers and were very friendly and helpful. The reason I hired skis in Braemar is that I stayed there, in the Fife Arms Hotel, Tel 01339741644. This is a huge old hotel with a big lively bar and lounge area, and a single room with en-suite and breakfast cost me £24.50. The reason I stayed in Braemar was it’s handy for Aberdeen, being only 60 miles away, and 9 miles from the slopes. If you’re coming up from England, flying to Aberdeen on Easyjet then driving out to Braemar or Ballater (A bit livelier, but 24 miles...

jambo6 01.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of Glenshee

The Granite City

Advantages: Beautiful, relaxed and plenty to do!
Disadvantages: Tempremental weather

.... For those who just appreciate beautiful scenery, you will be spoilt for choice. Drive in any direction and you will see countryside, beautiful views and villages that will leave you breathless. For example, drive south for 10 miles and you will come to Stonehaven with its beautiful bay and harbour. Drive south-west and you find lovely small communities such as Ballater, Aboyne and Braemar. And if you are visiting in the winter, Aviemore is only a 2 hour drive away and provides excellent skiing facilities. Pubs, Clubs and Bars The choice of where to go out for a drink is fantastic, from the small traditional bars to the late night clubs, Aberdeen has something for everyone. There would not be enough room to recommend all that I have been to but I will mention the best. To start, I would recommend the Bells Bar on Union Street. There is nothing...

deanmeister 27.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Aberdeen (Scotland)

The Queen And I

Advantages: a tourist attraction
Disadvantages: maybe too aloof

...months, from August to October, but something went wrong and we could only start in September. So we packed our rucksacks again and hitch-hiked north to Scotland. We hadn’t any clear idea, no background knowledge at all and didn’t know where was what. When we held our thumbs out near Ballater, a car stopped and the driver said, “Hop in, I know where you want to go.” As we didn’t know ourselves where we wanted to go, we were quite surprised. So we learnt that we were near the site where the Queen had one of her castles and that she would arrive by train the following day. Of course we went to the station to see her getting off the train and into her Rolls Royce; little Prince Charles and Princess Anne were with her as well as Princess Margaret and her children. We got a first hand lesson in the relationship...

MALU 11.01.2003 · Read review
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Review of Does Britain still need a monarchy?

Three Weeks In Scotland

Advantages: the landscape
Disadvantages: the weather

...and obviously nobody told us about any. Our general destination was the north coast, but when someone told us about an interesting place and there was a youth hostel in the vicinity, we more than once changed our course. This happened when we were in the Highlands. After admiring the hill slopes covered with heather from Devil´s Elbow (on one of the few sunny days) we hitched to Balmoral, had a look at the Royal Castle and intended to continue our journey to the north when a driver stopped, opened the door, grinned at us and said, ´Hop in, I know where you want to go!´ We were very surprised as we didn´t know ourselves, but then he told us about the Queen´s arrival at Ballater train station. I´ve elaborated on this event in my op ´The Queen and I´. What else belongs to Scotland besides the holidaying Queen? Lochs! Whisky! We passed Loch Lochy...

MALU 08.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of General: Scotland

ESSENTIAL SCOTLAND GUIDES - The North-East

Advantages: Too many to mention.
Disadvantages: Too few to worry about.

....castleandwhiskey.com for more information on events). The Victorian Heritage Trail This trail follows in the footsteps of Queen Victoria and is a must if you want to get to grips with North-east Scotland's historic royal connections. There is a new centre at Ballater Station Square that will give you most of the information you need, but why not also try:- Crathie Kirk --------------- East of the famous Balmoral Castle (where the royal family take short breaks), this tall cruciform granite-walled church replaced an earlier structure in 1895. It was opened by Queen Victoria and the Royal family have attended many services there. You can pop in at any time between 9.30am and 5pm or attend the Sunday service which starts at 11.30am. There are no charges as far as I know...

freelancer1 13.06.2002 · Read review
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Review of General: Scotland