Serving up memories of Ballater with great pictures

In this week’s Aberdonian, we have a look at old photos of the Victorian village of Ballater, Aberdeenshire.

This scenic village in the heart of Royal Deeside was dearly loved by Queen Victoria, who used to refer to it as “my dear paradise in the Highlands”.

Balmoral Castle – arguably one of Scotland’s most famous castles – is just a 15-minute drive away.

Gem of the north

Ballater collected quite a few awards over the years, including the title of “Best kept village in the north of Scotland” in 1977 and Britain in Bloom in 1979.

Do you recognise any familiar faces in the photos below?

Black and white photo of two school boys showing their project to the camera — 1990 – Primary 7 pupils from Ballater School, Kevin Massie, left, and Stuart Munro, show a model of a seascape they made as part of the class project.

Black and white photo of Mrs Ellen Williamson unveils "Best kept village in the north of Scotland" plaque surrounded by smiling children

1977 – For the second year running, the Royal Deeside village of Ballater has been awarded the title of the Best Kept Village in Scotland. The plaque was unveiled by Mrs Ellen Williamson of the Scottish Tourist Board.

Black and white photo of 3-year-old Andrew Cullen wearing boots and holding a ball — 1987 – Andrew Cullen, 3, from Kent, tries a pair of the heavies’ spiked boots at Ballater Games.

Black and white photo of a group of children in a classroom hold a pair of antlers and smile at the camera — 1983 – Antlers provide interesting points of conversation for the adult participation class of Ballater School.

Black and white photo of the Queen Mother in Glenmuick Church with parishioners and a minister watching as she unveils a plaque — 1986 – The Queen Mother unveils the plaque just below the stained glass window at Glenmuick Church, Deeside.

A group of people looking at the Best kept village in the north of Scotland plaque — 1979 – Holidaymakers and locals congratulate the squad who helped bring the Britain in Bloom award to Ballater.

Black and white photo of a man and a woman playing chess on a large garden chessboard mat — 1985 – Craigendarroch Country Club staff members Fergus Henderson and Anne May ponder over a chess move.

Black and white photo of two men looking over and pointing towards Ballater's former railway station — 1976 – Ballater Community Association chairman James Blyth, left, and committee member Richard Petrie at the site of the town’s former railway station.

Black and white photo of a woman petting a young deer — 1978 – Groom at Monaltrie Animal Park, Christine Croll, on speaking terms with a young charge.

Black and white photo of a man smiling at the camera while holding a tray of lucky tatties — 1993 – The ‘Lucky Tattie’ alive and well at Dee Valley Confectionery, Ballater.

Black and white photo of a young girl dancing in front of a group of children — 1985 – Ballater School Ceilidh saw one of the youngest pupils, Charlotte Glass, 3, try her hand at dancing.

Coloured photo of two men riding bikes towards the camera — 1994 – Ballater businessmen Stephen Hazley, left, and Brian Gallagher on their bikes.

Black and white photo of a road in Ballater with road signs indicating Victoria Road and car park facilities — 1973 – Looking south on Bridge Street towards Craig Coilleach from the centre of Ballater at the Victoria Road Corner.