History: Dunkeld to Aviemore

Balmoral Castle. The castle is in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Dee and is the summer home of the Queen. The castle was built by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1856 on the site of an earlier castle. It is a very fine example of Scottish Baronial architecture by the Aberdeen Architect William Smith. Next travel to the historic railway village of Ballater, where the railway station, once used by the royal family and their visitors to alight for Balmoral, has been lovingly restored and now houses an excellent heritage display. - AB35 5RB (Free entry to heritage display)

Next travel to the historic railway village of Ballater, where the railway station, once used by the royal family and their visitors to alight for Balmoral, has been lovingly restored and now houses an excellent heritage display.

Corgarff Castle was built around 1530 as a noble residence for the Elphinstone Family and then leased to the Forbes family, the castle became an army base after the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, for hunting down Jacobite sympathisers and later whisky smugglers. A terrible tragedy took place here in 1571 when the castle was attacked by supporters of Mary Queen of Scots, with only the Lady of the House, her children and Castle Servants inside. The castle was burnt down and all perished.