Top 10 things to do and attractions in Braemar

Very nice well kept castle. Well worth the entrance fee to help with the upkeep. Very friendly and helpful team who welcome you in from the outside. You can walk around yourself or pay for a guide. We chose to just take our selves around. Lots of interesting rooms and history ! Well worth a visit !

It was a nice surprise. We did not plan to visit it but you cannot miss it from the road. The tour is about 30mn , but you can easily spent 1h. You will find a lot of history details about Scotland, and the clan living here. I loved the room about the clan with all the weapons and rocks.

I've been to many historical sites on my Scotland visits but the staff and volunteers here are amazing. The presentation given by the staff for people unable to make the tour were phenomenal! A special thanks to ol' Morris for keeping the castle safe and an even bigger thanks to the community that makes this site accessible for anyone. The rich history of the site is amazing and the knowledge of the staff and volunteers is an absolute treat for any visitors.

We had a wonderful tour with Doreen through the castle. She told us so much that we probably would not have known or noticed on our own. We love that the castle is run by the local community.

Beautifully restored castle and fantastic visitor experience. Excellent self-guided tour with the aid of the Bloomberg Connects mobile app, which has floor plans, audio and video guides to each of the Castle's sympathetically restored rooms. It's worth downloading the app and multimedia content before you visit. I recommend bringing your own personal headphones to listen to the audio on your mobile device as I wasn't sure if they provided equipment. I thought the admission price was quite reasonable considering the entry and parking fees go towards the vital upkeep of the castle, which is under community care. The staff guides are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

Stepping into Braemar Castle is like turning the pages of a captivating history book. We were taken on a journey that showed us how this impressive structure transformed from a no-nonsense redcoat garrison into a glamorous high-society escape. The stories of its Royal visitors and the many colorful characters who lived within its walls are brought to life by the knowledgeable guides. If you want to get a true feel for the history of the area and the people who shaped it, a visit to Braemar Castle is an absolute must. It's a truly memorable experience. There is a paid parking area outside the castle entrance.

Beautiful castle, easy walk from the carpark, plenty information along the walk. Unfortunately didn't get inside the castle, but was. Great to see the set up, and the garden.

Famous location for the Highland Games. Lovely town and visitors experience. Also a small museum.

We were able to attend the 2025 Braemar Gathering this year and it is a fantastic memory for us four from the States. It is held annually, the first Saturday of September. You are entertained with highlands competition in Highland Dancers, Pipe Bands, Tug of War, Track and Field including Heavy Events! Royals and celebrities were in attendance. King Charles and Queen Camila were in attendance this afternoon. Joanna Lumley (British actress who plays Hester Frump, Grandmama in Wednesday season) was here. The day was an unbelievable experience! We enjoyed the Exhibition Hall and Gallery within the Heritage Center. We had several pints at The Flying Stag Pub and Restaurant within The Fife Arms Hotel which is in town. The wooden benches you sit on when you purchase tickets for ring side are hard and I softened my experience with the purchase of a £10 cushion 🥰

A brilliant free exhibition and cafe, located on the World's most significant Highland Games Field. Over 6000 people 'Gather' in the arena to enjoy The Braemar Highland Games in September (presided over by King Charles III & Queen Camilla), and the site is really interesting with so much history and heritage. The Visitor Centre Manager (Katherine?) was absolutely brilliant and our 2 American guests really engaged with her and discovered so much. Coffee was great too! Thank you so much. Darryl

Lovely spending day at the Highland games! Unfortunately the stands were benches and we were squeezed in! I wish we'd know before as we would have taken our own chairs and sat on the grass with cheaper tickets 🎟 otherwise, fabulous 👌 👏 plus - we got to see the king!

Great place, obviously the highland games are here yearly, but there is also a good exhibition of the games and dth history and links to royals.

best thing i ate on my 2 week holiday in scotland was a vegan scone at the café at the visitor center!! real tasty. the people were very kind there and i found the exhibitions fun too. i wished a bit more information on the symbolism of the kilts, their patterns, different badges... etc.

Well worth a visit, beautiful surroundings. Free parking and toilets. The grounds are exceptionally well kept. The cafe is well spaced out and there is an outdoor seating area provided where dogs are welcome. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. The art gallery and museum are both very interesting and informative.

Pleasant enough place to visit, we had been to a couple of other castles and thought we would spend a few minutes here back in April. We were able to park next to it and there are picnic tables onsite.

Very interesting, free parking opposite and in the middle of the town. This castle remains are very old - 8 centuries older than Balmoral. Worth a quick stop . It's free or you can donate in a box.

Small ruined castle in the town centre. The car park opposite is now pay & display.

This is a small ruin in a nice village among the spectacular mountains wich you can visit for free, carpark is free, clean toilet is available. Braemar castle is just a couple minutes away.

Apparently the wine cellar was bigger than the dungeon. Makes sense. Wine needs room to breathe.

It's location is what makes this a must see, and just to be where kings were.

Love walking round castles in Scotland and this is a nice one

The Aircrew Memorial in Bream, Gloucestershire, UK, is a poignant tribute to the airmen who lost their lives during World War II. Located near the village, the memorial commemorates the sacrifice of these brave individuals. It serves as a reminder of the courage and dedication of the aircrews who played a crucial role in the conflict.​ The memorial is situated in a serene setting, offering visitors a place for reflection and remembrance. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of those who served and gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom.​ For those interested in aviation history and the stories of wartime heroes, the Aircrew Memorial in Bream is a significant site to visit. It provides an opportunity to honor the past and pay respects to the fallen.

Lest we forget

June 2022, nice location for a coffee and bite, great roads to its destination, great scenery, food choice is limited but overall it’s worth a stop

My son and I spent Friday 31 January 2025 practicing our recently learned basic snowboarding skills on the slopes of Glenshee. What an absolutely beautiful day. No wind, some sunshine and lovely snow. We first went to the training area for a bit of a warm-up and an introduction to the poma lift (a new experience for us). Then off to the bigger slopes with longer and faster poma lifts. All of the Glenshee team were great. Our thanks to Ben (equipment hire) for getting our kit sorted and a huge thank you to Colin who was manning the Claybokie lift. Colin, you made my day by helping me get to grips with the lift. Thank you. We will definitely be heading back for more at Glenshee.

Brilliant run on my bike to Glenshee. Nice to visit in the summer, great cup of tea and biscuits. Usually visit in the winter for the last 30 odd years brilliant skiing on the tiger 🐅 and over the back of sunnyside. Maybe next year xx

Great place to learn to ski and improve. Despite there not being any heavy snowfall, the centre makes sure to make snow for the two beginner slopes and a blue run. The cafe is clean and warm with reasonably priced food and drinks available. The cafe has free WiFi, is dog friendly and provides food options for Gluten Free and Vegetarian upon request. We camped with our roof tent on one of the electric hook up spaces the centre has. Great price, but a lack of facilities (no showers or water tap) but staff will fill water containers in the cafe for you upon request. But just something to be aware of if you're planning on staying for more than a night or two. Also worth noting that if you're staying with a roof tent to check the wind speeds and gusts as they can get very high. All the staff we encountered during our stay were amazing! Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. This especially goes for the staff in the ski hire, who are able to help find the right equipment for you, and providing enthusiasm needed for a nervous beginner. Overall we had a fantastic stay and time here.

I used to make a point of stopping off here for coffee & cake, not because I particularly wanted to but to support the company & ski industry. But last winter, I arrived for a walk in the snow, I also had my ski touring kit. The snow was awful & only 2 lifts were open. On the opposite side of the road to the open lifts, I thought a I saw a possible line of ascent with ski touring gear. So I went up for an hour or so. The snow cover was poor & very thin. I met a maintenance guy, Angus, son of the owner. Had a pleasant chat with him, he explained that to “ski” on this land within the ski area boundary, I needed a £25 ski tourer pass. So I said I’d buy one at the bottom. Once I’d descended, I got hassled by an older guy, who was less pleasant and told me to get a ski pass. I told him that’s what I was doing & I’d spoken to Angus earlier. He just wouldn’t let it go. So I just walked off & bought said pass. So, in summary, I paid for coffee, cake, parking & a ski pass, for a couple of hours padding about on crappy snow, didn’t even use the lifts. I haven’t stopped there since and probably never will. I live in Perth & drive past fairly regularly. So that’s 1 customer lost forever.

I love Glenshee. Staff are decent people and facilities are good for what it is. Yes you may have some small queues for ski hire and restaurant at lunch time but if you take your own gear and packed lunch that avoids the hassles! There’s loads of rental places from the south side (after Blairgowrie) of the ski centre if you need to rent and they’re cheaper. I consider myself a fairly rubbish boarder to be honest but I found I had plenty of space and time do dart about at my own pace. Staff are good on the pomas too so I didn’t feel too rushed. Guys do a good job or trying to keep runs open and covering bare/icy spots where possible. I saw a few staff on skis so I felt super safe too. I hope the weather is kind to these guys and they get loads of good seasons in the future. And the views. WOW! This is the longest review I’ve left ! Haha. Recommended.

Stopped by while visiting Scotland, bought a sled for my little boy to have his first ever go at sledding and we had a great time. We didn’t get to sample the cafe as the cue was out the door but that says it all a very popular place. Plenty of toilet facilities, great when you have a health condition like myself so felt comfortable there. Car park was a mix of snow ice and flooded in areas so not for a none confident driver. Overall a lovely time spent exploring Glenshee Ski Centre and would love to return.

A wonderful and magical venue for our eldest son's wedding to his beautiful bride. Louise, Dorita and their team were superb - extremely understanding, empathetic and responsive. They all made our stay there so very memorable. Thank you so much! We will be back.

Absolutely stunning estate! The National Trust of Scotland cares for the stately home and beautiful grounds. My stay in the home in the smallest suite was quiet and comfortable, with peaceful, gorgeous views.

A beautiful holiday destination with plenty of walking and exploring to be done. Very helpful staff, magnificent stag ball room. We loved our stay at Mar Lodge in Aug 2019. Plenty of midgies still around so bring your spray. Very well stocked fridge, even dishwasher tablets and lovely soap. Lovely towns nearby to investigate too with Braemar and Ballater within easy reach by car. Will return and recommend!

We got married at Mar Lodge back in 2016. Our friends and family still keep asking us for a reunion... we spent the weekend with our closest friends and family which was better than we could have imagined. Mar Lodge is a wonderful place, stunning location and well kept. We enjoyed our rutting stags walk which was organised by the estate rangers. St Ninians Chapel is quaint and perfect for a small service. There are plenty of nice spots to walk to the Linn of Dee just further down the road out of Braemar is beautiful for some water shots.

We had our wedding at Mar Lodge over the weekend, and it was spectacular! Louise was the perfect host, and her staff were amazing. The autumn scenery made the place turn into a fairytale. Loved every minute!

Beautiful venue with a fantastic team behind it, special shout out to Louise and Dorita (and their teams) for their amazing assistance on a very busy wedding weekend, thank you!!

What a fantastic place to stay. To have a wing to ourselves was phenomenal. Views to die for, rooms you could get lost in and comfort beyond all measure.

A marvellous golf course in a stunning location, lucky enough to be the first man out one morning, true millionaires golfing. A breathtaking first tee box followed closely by a near impossible 2nd hole (well for me anyway 😜) and the par 3’s are designed perfectly. Amazing all round. If you’re in the area take the time to play Braemar, you won’t be disappointed. 👍

Great course that is well kept. No Par 5s on this one and pretty straight forward course. Get your hill climbing/hiking legs ready for the first few holes.

Entered a mixed open as hadn’t played this course before. What an absolute gem. Stunning scenery and a great course. Naturally fits in with the surroundings, just how golf should be. Definitely be back, had a great day.

Golf course in excellent condition and a fair test of golf. Wide enough to get a drive away, but accuracy required to the greens with ditches and river to negotiate. Testing par 3s.

Simply stunning location and a great golf course. Food and staff were excellent, will definitely be back

Brilliant mix of tricky holes and some more forgiving- no bunkers but streams and ditches always a hazard. Truly amazing setting- stunning. Clubhouse hospitality in the best tradition . Loved it.

We booked to play a round at Braemar Golf Course on April 5, 2024. Unfortunately when we woke up in the morning, it has been snowing since the wee hours and the course was covered with 2” snow!! Managed to meet the manager, I believe his name is Stewart, who is very friendly and helpful. We bought some course apparel and ball markers as souvenirs for friends back home. A course to be placed in our memory and we shall return to play in the near future.

Wonderful landscape 🌳 💚 🌳 Amazing nature experience 💚 👑 💚 Majestic River Dee 🌊 💙 🌊 All my love to the Highlands 💚🪄💚 Long time ago ... ... I'll miss the Scottish Highlands forever ❤️‍🩹

Steep walk to reach the top, but worth it for the views. Other easier walks through the woods. Usually possible to see red squirrels (hard to photograph with smart phone)

Great wee hill very close to the village centre. Plenty of trails and very well signposted. Also a permanent orienteering course! Lovely.

Lovely,easy climb for beautiful views over the village of braemar and the Cairngorms

Great walks and stunning views.

Demanding yet nice climb

(Translated by Google) A short climb is rewarded with a very beautiful view. (Original) Kurzer Aufstieg wird mit einer sehr schönen Aussicht belohnt.

Like the rest of Braemar this is a lovely place with stunning scenery all around. Just next to the car park this will be the first place you'll pass if on the way up the hill to Morrone. With -8 when we were leaving it was pretty much frozen over. Lovely!

Lovely place and a great place to start a walk up Morrone. Excellent views. The top of Morrone has some transmitters which detracts a little from an amazing 360 view. Took about an hour for a fairly safe climb at a good pace.

The car park is never that busy and a great place for a picnic, the ducks are always pleased to entertain. You get a grand view from Morrone BUT please wear the correct clothing and foot ware, I have seen far too many people on the mountain not doing this, It scares me every time. Just because it's close to a lovely Village doesn't mean that it's any less dangerous than any other mountain that you have to walk a bit further to get too.

Brilliant trails with lots of free parking but 2M height limit for the car park

It is a lovely quiet place, surrounded by hills and mountains, with plenty of wildlife to see

Enjoyed our visit. No ducks but adjacent woodland was great for walking my Sproodle Isla, and spotting squirrels.

Duck pond. Plenty of parking. No amenities. Wild scrubland and bushes.