If there is one spirit associated with the area and Scotland more widely it is whisky.  Distilled here on the river Dee and extensively on the nearby river Spey.  Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Dallas Dhu and many others are to be found on the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail which begins either in Tomintoul or Keith both a short drive away.

 

Locally we have the excellent Royal Lochnagar Distillery only 15 minutes away beside Balmoral Castle, which has been producing since 1845.  If you’d like to sample the product without having to worry about driving back to Ballater there are four good bars in the village, or alternatively we can provide you with some glasses…!

 

Useful links

http://maltwhiskytrail.com/

https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/royal-lochnagar

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/

 

Example driving times:

Royal Lochnagar Distillery 15m

Tomintoul (start of Speyside whisky trail) 40m

Glenlivet Distillery 55m

Strathisla Distillery 1h10

Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery 1h30

Glen Moray Distillery 1h30