Braemar Area

Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar

Braemar Castle

Cairnwell from the East

Area Main Page

Braemar is best known for its Highland Games which take place on the first Saturday in September. Originally an athletic contest between clans dating back 900 years, the games ceased in medieval times, but were reintroduced in the early 1800s and remain a popular attraction today.

A popular Highland resort, Braemar enjoys a scenic location at the meeting point of three passes in Upper Deeside where the Clunie Water flowing north from the Cairnwell Pass joins the upper River Dee. The village gained favour with Queen Victoria and still enjoys royal patronage today.

It is a picturesque place and a haven for tourists. There is a Highland Heritage Centre with static and video displays which tell the story of the area. The village is home to no fewer than four churches, three of which are still active, including Braemar Parish Church. It is also home to two castles. The remains of one, Kindrochit Castle, are slight and lay close to the centre of the village. The other, Braemar Castle, is a popular visitor attraction which re-opened its doors in 2008 after a period of closure.

Braemar is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It is surrounded by mountains and there are some very pleasant low level walks. The Linn of Dee, only a short drive from the town, is a must see. Here the river courses through a narrow rock gorge and the countryside opens up into the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms. Morrone, standing above Braemar, offers fantastic mountain views. A pleasant circular walk to its summit also takes in Glen Clunie.

The popular ski resort of Glenshee is just a few miles south of Braemar on the busy A93. This is the highest main road in the United Kingdom and is surrounded on both sides by Munros.

The Cairnwell group of three Munros are the easiest collection of three anywhere in Scotland. Other walks take in much more challenging peaks and once away from the few roads this is an extremely remote area.