Trying to decide which of these villages to stay in while in the area (2 nights). Would like to spend a little while at the end of the day in the town, exploring a few shops and pubs before heading to our B&B or hotel for supper and ale. Thanks!

Well - there is more "there " there in Ballater than in Braemar. You can walk along the river, eat in any of severall pubs and restaurants, etc. Braemar Castle is fascinating - but to stay in Ballater offers more.

Thank you Janis...we are planning on visiting Braemar castle regardless. I appreciate your answer!

I too, would choose Ballater, for all the reasons janis said! Much more there! <BR>Maggie

Are you going in Sept? You might want to go to the Highland Games if so. They take place in Braemar on the first Saturday. The Queen and many of her family attend them and you must reserve ahead.

Thanks! Daph: we are actually going to be in the area on March 31st through April 2nd. Woohoo-we leave for Scotland in just over 2 weeks!!

Just to be controversial, persoanlly I prefer Braemar. It's a smaller, quieter village. The Fife Arms is nicer than the Invercauld (and that's IT for bars). The scenery is more spectacular, there are nicer walks. It's closer to the ski slopes.<BR><BR>Definitely fewer places to eat nice food (tho I have clients who own the chippie). Fewer shops (by far). Fewer Royal Warrants. <BR><BR>But it's still a nicer village. Ballater's a dressed up Victorian place.

We though, and many I have talked with, though Breamar, was a poor area. Ballater has glitz and warrants, but Braemar was the poorest area we saw in the highlands. <BR>Not meant unkindly either!

Maggie-in what context are you using the word &quot;poor&quot;? Just want to make sure I understand.

Ani - I wouldn't worry much about the prior post. There is no &quot;glitz&quot; in Ballater and Braemar is not &quot;poor&quot; in either economy or scenery. <BR><BR>There are several royal warrants in Ballater - but that only means members of the royal family use the services or shops there. That makes utter sense because it is the closest village of any size to Balmoral. But Ballater is most certainly noy &quot;glitzy&quot; <BR><BR>Braemar is amid lot of wonderful scenery - but you are going to see it anyway since you are visiting the castle.<BR><BR>If you go to or from the Dee via the Spittal of Glenshee (the A93 south of Braemar) you will be blown away.

Ani!<BR><BR>First, I said Ballater is glitsy because many think that, because of the royal family and the warrants in town. We haven't stayed in Braemar since 93, but we thought the economy was not too good! Many homes were very plain. It's not a large town, and it is in a beautiful area. I think we stayed at the Auld Bank. We didn't have reservations, but had wanted to see where the Braremar games were played. I wouldn't say this if it were untrue to us! This is to help people! Perhaps new places have been added to the area since our visit.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!

Does anyone know what has become of the Tulloch Lodge? I googled it but can't find it. Staying there was like being a guest at a house party. It was rumored that Prince Charles used to drop in from Balmoral for a drink now and then. It was run by two men and the food was delicious. They weren't so young so perhaps they stopped having guests and no one else took it over. I think it was in Ballater.

Spelling it right would fix it<BR><BR>Tullich Lodge is still here. I don't think it has a web site.