Tag: East Cairngorms

Green spaces improve wellbeing – welcome to the East Cairngorms

In celebration of spring, the Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG) have launched the East Cairngorms Wildlife and Nature Trail as part of their Imagine More campaign to encourage visitors to immerse themselves in nature and nurture their wellbeing.

A recent study by the Mental Health Foundation revealed that nearly half of people in the UK found a marked improvement in their wellbeing during lockdown when visiting green spaces, such as national parks.

The BBA and BTG aim to encourage more people to undertake memorable outdoor experiences that positively impact their lives by visiting the East Cairngorms’ abundance of wildlife and nature.

Dan and Rachel Brown, both avid naturalists and professional ecologists, run Wild Discovery based in Crathie which provides custom-made experiences which focus on helping visitors engage with nature, wildlife and conservation projects.

They explained: “The ancient Caledonian forest and woodlands which sprawl the East Cairngorms boasts unique enigmatic wildlife including pine martens, red squirrels, golden and white-tailed eagles, capercaillie, and red deer.

“Our guests always feel a sense of connection and leave inspired and reinvigorated after meeting with local projects and people who are doing wonderful work to protect the area.”

Annie Armstrong runs Wild Braemar, bespoke experiences that allow visitors to explore, discover and connect with Scottish wildlife, culture and the local history.

She said: “Our Scottish landscape is emersed with wildlife and nature, and what we often take for granted is new and interesting to those who join our tours.

“The smallest elements of nature such as fungi, flora and trees all have a story to tell. One of my recent tours included a family who spent hours just identify birds in the woodland.

“We can all be inspired by nature. Wild learning brings with it new thinking and a chance to step away from our busy lives, connecting to the sounds, sights and smells that surround us.”

Annie’s tours include wild walking and swimming, and are designed to suit any level of fitness. The majority last two hours or less, allowing visitors to make the most of their time in Braemar and Ballater.

Annie said: “Lots of people want to try wild swimming but are nervous and want support to enjoy a truly immersive experience. I have always enjoyed the Braemar rivers and wanted to share my knowledge with others.

“The moment you enter the water it is like a “reset” with your body, all you can think about is the water and nature around you.”

The East Cairngorms Wildlife and Nature Trail is part of a series of five which aim to inspire visitors to explore the East Cairngorms as a year-round destination for outdoor activity. Each trail includes a website, promotional video, digital trail map, and trip planner.

For more information on the East Cairngorms Wildlife and Nature Trail, head to: https://www.visitballater.com/east-cairngorms-the-jacobite-whisky-trail/

The Crown effect triggers new tourism trail in East Cairngorms

Popular Netflix series, The Crown, has boosted visitor numbers to Scotland’s East Cairngorms, the home to the royal family’s Scottish seat, Balmoral Castle, according to local tourism guides.

Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG) has attributed this, in part, to the interest the drama has sparked in the area’s local history and heritage.

Simon Blackett, who owns and runs Yellow Welly Tours, says that similar to the effect that other viral TV series have had on Scotland, the same is being experienced in the East Cairngorms.

“Hype around The Crown has definitely increased visitors’ interest in the area’s royal connection. It’s certainly worked in our favour as people want to know what we think and over the years I’ve been lucky to meet members of the royal family so I can give visitors a feel for the role they play and the fantastic interest they take in the local area.

“Interestingly though, visitors’ curiosity goes beyond our more recent royal history with most particularly intrigued by the Jacobite period with the 6th Earl of Mar raising the standard in Braemar to signify the start of the 2nd Jacobite Rising in 1715.”

To help visitors explore the area’s rich history – which includes clan wars, Queen Victoria’s role in establishing a strong royal tie and military occupations – the BBA and BTG have launched the Jacobite Whisky Trail as part of their Imagine More campaign.

The trail will combine whisky with the area’s unique history starting with the Jacobite period. Tourists in the area can explore the landmarks, and relive the experiences of bygone eras, by planning their visit through a new interactive site map produced by BTG and BBA.

The trail also takes you to important heritage locations such as Braemar Castle, the nearby graveyard, Braemar village and the monument commemorating the Raising of the Standard for the 1715 Jacobite Rising.

Further west the trail reaches the River Quoich Punchbowl where, the previous day, a huge gathering of Jacobite leaders and clansmen had toasted ‘the King over the Water’ from a large hollow in the flat rocks, filled with whisky and honey.

Maureen Kelly, who is a guide at Braemar Castle, says that although the East Cairngorms was similar to the ‘Wild West’ from the 16th to the 18th century, major historic moments have occurred there throughout the ages.

“Looking beyond the Jacobite period, there are so many stories and major events for visitors to immerse themselves in. During the Second World War the East Cairngorms was home to commandoes doing artic training; Canadian lumberjacks who established a camp near Mar Lodge to support the war effort harvesting wood from the Caledonian forest; and around 100 evacuated Belgian children were housed in the Invercauld Arms Hotel.”

The campaign, which includes a website, promotional video, digital trail map, and trip planner, is part of a series of five which aim to inspire visitors to explore the East Cairngorms as a year-round destination for outdoor activity.

For more information on the Jacobite Whisky Trail or the East Cairngorms’ History and Heritage, head to: https://www.visitballater.com/east-cairngorms-the-jacobite-whisky-trail/

Take a walk on the wild side

East Cairngorms steadily climbing as the destination for walkers and hikers of all levels

The East Cairngorms has much to offer in the way of outdoor adventures – be it skiing, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, or hiking. Often not included as a tourist hot spot for those ‘bagging Munros’; the East Cairngorms offers a real escape with its numerous and often quieter routes than some of the better-known hiking destinations. The locals say it is one of Scotland’s best kept secrets.

The ease of access to walks of all levels – including numerous Munros – makes it an attractive option for families, retirees, and weekend amblers; as well as experienced hikers looking for new challenges and less explored routes.  

Ballater, Braemar and the surrounding villages have witnessed a surge of UK based visitors coming in search of more wild outdoor time – whether it be for a short low incline walk from the villages, or whole weekends hiking in the hills.

Allan Murdoch, Braemar local and long-standing member of the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team says, “The feel of East Cairngorms is quite a bit wilder than the west, which has been very geared towards tourism for a long time.

“I think it appeals that you can get away from it all here; often walking for hours without meeting anyone.  We also tend to get a lot drier weather this side!”

With half-term around the corner, the East Cairngorms is the perfect place to get children outdoors and into nature.

Allan says: “It is a great place to spend quality family time, outdoors, exploring together and spotting wildlife. In the winter it is brilliant with kids because you can be safely hiking one day, then the next, drive 10 to 40 minutes (depending where you start) up the road to Glenshee – Scotland’s biggest ski resort and the kids can learn to ski. The snow machine means there is always enough to learn on.”

There’s also plenty of options for food and refreshments in the villages – one of which is The Bothy in Braemar that sits alongside Braemar Mountain Sports shop.  (There is a sister business The Bothy in Ballater).

Karen Bruce who runs The Bothy says, “We’ve noticed way more people out and about all year round – more than there used to be.

“We’re busier than we’ve ever been this January. We get a whole mixture of folk in for food – lots of people come here for family walks and stop off with us for lunch. We also get the more serious mountain hikers coming in for breakfast after they’ve been camping in the hills.”

 “I think what makes hiking and walking unique in this area is the ease of access – the roads are good; parking is easy, and you can walk directly from Braemar or Ballater and access hundreds of trails of all levels of difficulty.”

“It makes it easy to find adventure, as well as quality accommodation and delicious food! And with our outdoor shop next door – you can pick up any last-minute clothes or kit you might need.”

Many locals have settled in the area because of their own love for the hills, and through their businesses seek to share their knowledge and passion with visitors.

Sarah Hubbard is one such local who runs Cranford Guest House with her husband who is also on the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team.

Sarah says, “We’re so lucky in our positioning – being right in the heart of the national park you have beauty in every direction.

“We’ve noticed a big shift through the pandemic in how people visit – whereas before lots of people used to try to cover the whole of Scotland in a week so would only pass through for a night, most people stay for a few days now and want to really get to know the area and get out for longer full day walks”

“We’re passionate about the outdoors and are very familiar with the local routes so we love helping our guests tailor their routes over breakfast and send them off ordinate survey maps and guidebooks”

Mountain hiking has become an increasingly valuable part of tourism for Scotland. In 2020, according to Visit Scotland, 290,000 British residents took overnight visits to Scotland where adventure sports were part of the trip, contributing £112 million in spend. 

To capitalise on this adventure destination, a new campaign, Imagine More, to promote tourism in the East Cairngorms was launched recently by Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG).

The campaign, which includes a website, promotional video, and trip planner is the first in a series of five which aim to inspire visitors to explore the East Cairngorms as a year-round destination for outdoor activity. 

For more information on hiking and walking in the East Cairngorms, head to:

https://www.visitballater.com/east-cairngorms-mountain-hiking-and-walking-trail/    

East Cairngorms on track to be leading adventure destination

A focus on adventure tourism is making the East Cairngorms one of the most popular destinations in the UK for mountain biking. The adventure tourism community’s best-kept secret, the area has seen a surge in people of all abilities, due to the surge in e-bike sales, taking to the trails to explore the best of Ballater, Braemar and the surrounding villages.

Boasting some of the best downward routes in the UK, the East Cairngorms, with its off-the-beaten-track, natural trails and long descents has seen a growing number of visitors to the area to experience the trails and stay locally.

Richard Watts, owner of Cycle Highlands based in Ballater, says that the appeal of the area being a “bike-in bike out” destination, and the increase sales of bikes during lockdown, has put the East Cairngorms on the map.

“During lockdown, our sales jumped nearly 40%, with half of all our retail now being e-bikes which has meant that it has really opened up the trails for all ability levels.

“What makes mountain biking unique in this area is that you have everything on your doorstep: quality accommodation, specialists services such as bike repair and maintenance, great hospitality, and the ability to get to a number of trails from your doorstep.

“The East Cairngorms is different to other mountain biking destinations as we have very long trails and can descend for 3-6kms close to, or straight into, a village centre. Our natural and hand cut trails sit amongst a stunning backdrop yet contain routes for all ability levels including families looking for that get-away holiday.”

Dominique and Daniel Drew-Martin took over the Ballater Hostel in 2016 and say that the demographics of people coming to mountain bike in the area has shifted: “There are so many mountain bike trails for all experience levels and, with the increased use of e-bikes, it really appeals to a huge range of people.

“We’ve had retired couples, families and new bike owners all come to spend time cycling and get to know the area which has been fantastic to see.”

Through a Scottish Government grant, Dominque and Daniel have invested in new tools and equipment to further attract outdoor adventurers to the area.

“We’ve always had a bike storage area, which is covered and dry, but this grant allowed us to buy additional items such as tools, bike locks and proper stands, that they can use. It means that after they’ve had a great day on the hills, they can then come to us and have an evening to dry off, chat with friends and then tinker with their bikes.”

Mountain biking has become an increasingly valuable part of tourism for Scotland. In 2020, according to Visit Scotland, 290,000 British residents took overnight visits to Scotland where adventure sports were part of the trip, contributing £112 million in spend.

To capitalise on this trend, a new campaign to promote mountain biking in the East Cairngorms was launched at the end of November by Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG).

The campaign, which includes a website, promotional video, digital trail map, and trip planner, is the first in a series of five which aim to inspire visitors to explore the East Cairngorms as a year-round destination for outdoor activity.

For more information on mountain biking in the East Cairngorms, head to: 

https://www.visitballater.com/east-cairngorms-mountain-biking-trail/