Dog-friendly caravan parks near Ballater
Surrounded by stunning Highland scenery, Ballater boasts royal connections and easy access to the outdoors.
Dog-friendly caravan parks near Ballater guide
Where to go
Around Ballater
The picturesque Victorian village is home to a number of good restaurants and cafés, and offers easy access to the outdoor adventures on its doorstep. Golfers will love the village’s Ballater Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course encircled by hills and stunning scenery. Within a short walking distance of the village centre, Ballater Caravan Park is set in a quiet and attractive location and welcomes tents, caravans and motorhomes.
Around Ballater
The picturesque Victorian village is home to a number of good restaurants and cafés, and offers easy access to the outdoor adventures on its doorstep. Golfers will love the village’s Ballater Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course encircled by hills and stunning scenery. Within a short walking distance of the village centre, Ballater Caravan Park is set in a quiet and attractive location and welcomes tents, caravans and motorhomes.
Muir of Dinnet
A 10-minute drive east of Ballater, the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve is a patchwork of wetlands, heath, moors and woods where you can spot more than 100 bird species, as well as otters. Its most famous attraction is the cauldron-shaped granite pothole known as the Burn O’Vat, which you can stand inside for an otherworldly experience. A 10-minute drive east, Aboyne Loch Caravan Park has pitches for tourers and motorhomes.
Lochnagar
Known as Beinn Chiochan in Gaelic, the pointed peak of Lochnagar stands 2,200 feet (71 metres) above the Balmoral Estate and is a very popular mountain with walkers, climbers and mountaineers all year round. The walk to the summit is around 12 miles (19 kilometres) and well-signposted all the way up. The starting point is around a 30-minute drive from Ballater.
When to go
Summer is the most popular time to visit the Cairngorms and its surrounding area, but the season does bring crowds and booked-up campsites. If planning to visit in the summer, try to at least avoid school holidays and weekends. Spring is a good alternative—while the weather will likely be cool, you can still enjoy activities such as hiking and climbing. Late February through March is the best time for skiing and other winter sports at nearby Glenshee Ski Centre.
Know before you go
- Some sites in the area are seasonal: check opening dates before traveling.
- Wild camping is legal in Scotland as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
- Biting midges are a common nuisance during Highland summers. Don’t forget to pack repellant and long sleeves.
- There is no longer an active train station in Ballater, but local buses run to Aberdeen, which is connected by train to Edinburgh and beyond.