Information
Dates: 4th January - 31st October
Tel: 01339 741 659
Generations of the Royal Family have chosen the area as
their summer home for the majestic mountains, wooded glens,
riverside picnic spots and a climate that is drier (and has less
midgie) than the West. This makes it the perfect escape from the
noise, crowds and hassle of modern living.
Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of
our hostels.
Local Attractions
The Braemar Gathering
The
biggest and best highland games takes place on the first Saturday
of September every year. With the skirl of the pipes, tossing the
caber, the Highland fling and kilts aplenty, it is Scottish
heritage, culture and traditions at their best.
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Mar Lodge Estate
A
traditional Highland Estate which encompasses 4 of the 5 highest
peaks in the Cairngorms. In the care of the National Trust for
Scotland .
Mar Lodge, Braemar AB35 5YJ
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Braemar Castle
A charming building built
in 1628 with a unique star shaped wall. Ran by the local
community.
Currently open weekends May to October
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Braemar Highland Heritage Centre
Permanent exhibiton of local history and interest
Situated in the Mews in Braemar
Braemar Junior Highland Games
Held
annually in July to encourage, promote and provide opportunity for
children to participate in traditional Highland games
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Braemar Gala Week
Packed programme of
events especially suited to families and children.
Normally held in the second week of July
Balmoral Castle
Scottish home of the Royal Family, open
Easter to late July
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Eating & Drinking
Moorfield House Hotel
Chapel Brae, Braemar
AB35 5YP
Taste
Airlie House, Braemar AB35 5WS
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Gathering Place Bistro
Invercauld Road,
Braemar AB35 5YP
Visit
Website
Gordon's Restaurant
20 Mar Road, Braemar,
AB35 5YL
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Braemar Lodge Restaurant
Braemar Lodge
Hotel, Glenshee Road, Braemar, AB35 5YQ
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Walkers
With dozens of Munro’s, easy village strolls, winter walking in
the Cairngorms, multi-day expeditions or evening walks there is
a wealth of possibilities for all abilities and ages in
stunningly beautiful scenery.
Need Advice ?
Our Hostel Manager has lived
and worked in the Cairngorms National Park for the past 15 years
where he regularly runs, skis, canoes and bikes in his spare time.
He also has a young family and is a member of the local mountain
rescue team so can help advise you of places to visit and things to
do whatever you want to get up to!
Creag Choinnich, Braemar
A short steep
route up Creag Choinnich, with great views of Glen Clunie and the
Cairngorms.
Distance: 3.2 kms/2 miles, Duration: 1.5hrs, Height Gain: 200
metres/660 feet
View Route
Lion's Face & Cromlin's Walk,
Braemar
A walk combining historic interest with fine
views and wildlife.
Distance: 6.5 kms/4 miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 60
metres/198 feet
View
Route
Queen's Drive Walk, Braemar
The walk
follows part of a favourtite carriage drive used by Queen
Victoria.
Distance: 3.8 kms/2.4miles, Duration: 2hrs, Height Gain: 50
metres/165 feet
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River Dee Walk, Braemar
A low level walk
alongside the River Dee and the Clunie Water.
Distance: 4.8 kms/3miles, Duration: 1.5hrs, Height Gain: 30
metres/99 feet
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Route
The Seven Bridges Walk, Ballater
This walk
in the wooded Dee Valley offers fine views with seven bridge
crossings.
Distance: 9kms/5.6miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 60 metres/198
feet
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Morrone Birkwood Walk
An easy walk through
Morrone Birkwood Nature Reserve with views of the Cairngorms.
Distance: 3.8 kms/2.4 miles Duration: 2hrs, Height Gain: 60
metres/198 feet
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Morrone Walk - Cairned Route
A hill walk
with good views of the surrounding area.
Distance: 9.6 kms/6 miles, Duration: 4hrs, Height Gain: 500
metres/1650 feet
View
Route
Glenshee Ski Centre - Carn Aosda - The
Cairnwell
The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda offers summit
panoramas of the Grampians and Cairngorms.
Distance: 5.5 kms/3.4 miles, Duration: 2hrs, Height Gain: 430
metres/1419 feet
View
Route
Lairig Ghru Northwards
Possibly Scotland's
best known high level pass cuts a dramatic path through the
Cairngorms.
Distance: 32 km/20 miles, Duration: 9hrs, Height Gain: 455
metres/1500 feet
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Loch Kinord and Burn o'Vat
A walk around
Loch Kinord to the Burn o'Vat and by way of the old Deeside railway
line.
Distance: 11.27 kms/7 miles, Duration: 2.8hrs, Height Gain: 50
metres/165 feet
View
Route
Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve and Burn
o'Vat
There are two stages to this walk incorporating
Burn o'Vat and Loch Davan.
Distance: 7 kms/4.4miles, Duration: 2hrs, Height Gain: 50
metres/165 feet
View Route
Disclaimer: All
walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can
hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like
to acknowledge the British
Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC
recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a
danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these
activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be
responsible for their own actions".
Families
- Excellent self-catering facilities
- Family and Private Rooms
- TV lounge with pool table, board games and internet
kiosk
- Garden and grounds extending to five acres
We understand better than anyone the implications of
travelling with young children. That is why we are doing all we can
to make your hostelling experience memorable for all the right
reasons.
Children and families are welcome at all our hostels, although we
have highlighted a number of hostels within our network as
being “Family Hostels” as they are particularly well-suited to
travelling with and entertaining younger children.
Family hostels not only have private rooms available, many
with en-suite facilities, they also carry practical items such as
travel cots, high chairs, microwaves and toys. In addition there is
normally a TV and games room as well as extensive private gardens
on site where the kids can let off some steam. Close to great
attractions and activities, these family hostels offer a great base
from which to explore the area. Our helpful staff are a great
source of knowledge on places to visit and things to see and
do.
Hostelling is a very friendly and relaxed way to travel and
our ethos actively involves children.
Active & Adventure
Remember when winters used to be winters? Sledging, snowballing,
building snowmen and frostnip - OK so we can’t always guarantee
snow, but Braemar boasts the UK’s lowest recorded temperature so
you’re as likely to find it here as anywhere! Which is why there
are two ski centres close by too!
Glenshee Ski Centre
Cairnwell, By Braemar,
AB35 5XU
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Glenshee Centre Snowsport School
Glenshee
Ski Centre, Braemar, AB35 5XU
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Lecht 2090 Ski Centre
Also open in the summer for multi-activities.
Strathdon, AB36 8YP
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Cycling
For some route options
Visit
Website
Mountain Biking
Mountain Bike hire and route maps or route suggestions are
available from:
Braemar Mountain Sports
Invercauld Road,
Braemar AB35 5YP
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Cycle Highlands
Victoria Road, Ballater
AB35 5QQ
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Wildlife
Red squirrels
Stronghold of the delightful
red squirrel, seen regularly on the hostel bird feeders.
Deer
Still one of the best places in the
UK to see large herds of wild deer
Visit
Website
Birdlife
The Cairngorms are home to many
rare native and migrant visitors such as golden eagle, dotterel,
capercaillie, crossbill and snow bunting
Visit
Website
Butterfly
Visit
Website
NTS Mar Lodge Estate
Part of the core area
of the Cairngorms and contains four of the five highest mountains
in the UK. Regular activities organised by Ranger
Service.
5 Miles west of Braemar, 013397 41433