Balmoral and Royal Deeside Shore Excursion from Aberdeen
Description
Start your day at the Port of Aberdeen, for a journey filled with breathtaking views and captivating stops. Your first destination is the stunning Falls of Feugh, just a short drive away. Stretch your legs and take in the natural beauty of the cascading waters, with a chance to spot salmon swimming upstream, adding to the magical scenery. Next, immerse yourself in the grandeur of Balmoral Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks. Wander the castle grounds at your own pace, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Balmoral Café, and dive into the royal history of this majestic residence. From the tranquil gardens to the elegant interiors, Balmoral offers a truly royal experience. Then, head to Ballater, a charming Victorian village nestled in the Cairngorms National Park. Explore quaint streets, browse local shops for handmade crafts, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. End your day with a scenic drive back to Aberdeen, reflecting on the beauty and history you’ve experienced
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your first destination is the Falls of Feugh, just a short drive from Aberdeen. Here, you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs and soak in the natural beauty of the falls. Famous for their picturesque scenery, you may even catch a glimpse of salmon attempting to swim upstream. Even without the salmon, the sight of the cascading water is sure to leave you in awe.
Next, you'll visit the iconic Balmoral Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks. Explore the castle grounds at your own pace, and if you wish, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Balmoral Café, serving up delicious Scottish dishes. Afterward, take a stroll through the estate, visit the 2025 exhibition in the Castle Ballroom, and dive into the royal history of this majestic residence. Whether you’re captivated by the tranquil gardens or the lavish interiors, Balmoral offers an unforgettable royal experience.
From Balmoral, head to Ballater, a charming Victorian village nestled in the heart of Royal Deeside. Known for its picturesque beauty and local charm, Ballater is the perfect place to wander. Explore the quaint streets, visit local shops, and perhaps pick up some handmade crafts or local produce. Surrounded by the stunning Cairngorms National Park, the village offers a peaceful retreat, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the serene atmosphere.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please arrive at least 15 mins in advance to check-in.
- We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding
- You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
- Admission to Balmoral Castle is included
Reviews(18)
Great drive through the Scottish countryside and lovely visit to Balmoral. We were admitted into the ballroom with lovely pictures of the queen and her family through the years, but not the rest of the castle. Alan was very knowledgeable and a great driver. Loved the variety of music he played. 15 in our group. Be sure to walk down to the Dee River and the sweet pet cemetery.
A previous Viator tour guide in Athens was marvelous. This tour was a disappointment. The tour guide skipped the first of three promised locations without apology or explanation and wasted nearly an hour driving around brown barren mountains to see a microscopic size pyramid honoring Prince Albert. Small wonder everyone in the tour bus declined his offer to exit the bus. That hour would have been much better spent touring the Balmoral gardens. The tour guide never stopped talking and shared his personal life stories that were of little interest to the group. We weren't the only ones to be annoyed. Worse, much of his endless chatter was directed to a female passenger whom he allowed to sit next to him at the very front of the bus. Their badinage quickly became tedious and irksome.
Daryl was a wonderful guide & safe driver, offering personal anecdotes and off-the-beaten-track insights on our excursion. It felt like hanging with a friend! We also appreciated all the free time to explore on our own...perfect combination!
Excellent tour and tour guide
My husband and I booked this trip with Darryl as our driver/guide. He was knowledgeable and help everyone throughout the day. He was wonderful and truly made the day a fantastic one! He was on time for pickup and kept us on time all day. I would highly recommend this trip and Darryl to everyone!
Our driver Darrel was absolutely Awesome. Great personality, Great Driver. Very accommodating and knowledgeable. I would tell anyone who plans to go on this excursion to ask for Darrel.
We had a fantastic trip with Alan to Balmoral Castle, with plenty of stops for photos, bathrooms, and nourishment. The excursion left on time and came back on time, and as extra bonus, they dropped us off in City Center, rather than Port of Aberdeen. Highly recommended.
Darrell was a great guide. The castle grounds were beautiful and the river too. The only room in the castle you could go in was the ballroom. The town we stopped in was Ok
Our guide could have told us to download the app for Balamor which would have provided a walking tour audio or that there was audio tour from the gift shop.
Alan was so helpful and informative. Really enjoyed our trip. Would definitely recommend.
