Traders in an Aberdeenshire town are insisting it is “still open for business” – despite a huge blaze which destroyed one of its biggest tourists draws in May.
Almost 50 firefighters tackled the devastating fire at the Old Royal Station, Ballater, which housed a museum, shops, a restaurant and a VisitScotland information point.
Now people are being urged not to ignore the Deeside village as the traditionally busy summer season gets into full swing.
The Royal Deeside Golf Classic will go ahead in the week beginning July 27, followed by the Ballater Highland Games on August 13.
Ballater Victoria Week will run from August 7-16, and the Etape Royale cycle sportive on September 27.
VisitScotland’s regional director Philip Smith urged people to call in at the agency’s temporary base in the Cairngorm National Park Association offices in Ballater’s Station Square to find out more about activities in the area.
He said: “Ballater is very much still open for business and we would expect it to be as busy as usual over the summer months.
“The village is a great place from which to explore the local area, including the Deeside Way, Loch Muick, Craigendarroch hill and Lochnagar.
“It is the perfect place to enjoy fishing, cycling, walking, horse riding and pony trekking, field sports, canoeing and kayaking and much more.
“We are confident that the varied line-up of events taking place in Ballater will attract the usual crowds of visitors and locals to experience the very best of Royal Deeside warmth and hospitality.”