Ballater Old Royal Station opens three years after fire

Ballater’s Old Royal Station has re-opened this morning, after a devastating fire three years ago. The B-listed station, historically used by Royals travelling by train to their home at nearby Balmoral Castle has been rebuilt by Aberdeenshire Council.

The building now features a VisitScotland information point and a community library.

Following completion of the building works, the fit-out was undertaken throughout July, with the project team working hard to ensure the facility is open during this summer season to assist the town benefiting from the resultant tourist trade.

External works to form Station Square are also complete, with the road now re-opened to traffic.

A mix of public uses will occupy the recreated station building – a VisitScotland information centre, a restaurant and tearoom run by The Prince's Foundation and an Aberdeenshire Council public library – as well as the Royal waiting room and carriage. There is also a new space extending along the old platform and over the tracks where the Royal carriage sits, taking the form of railway sheds, mixing Royal heritage with local history.

The Royal Waiting Room interior has been carefully repaired by specialists to ensure the quality is equal to that lost in the fire. As part of the repair and conservation work as much of the original fabric is being retained as far as possible.

Aberdeenshire Provost Bill Howatson cut the ribbon. He said: “I know the community is very much looking forward to the reopening of the station and I'm personally happy to be involved in the culmination of such an important project for the area, which has involved a lot of hard work by a large number of people.

"Once again visitors to Ballater will be able to experience this important part of the town's Royal heritage and history, in surroundings which are arguably improved on what went before the devastating fire back in 2015.

"I've already had a glimpse inside the building while works progressed – the restoration is very sympathetic and there's a very high standard of workmanship. I hope the community is proud of what is the result of a lot of hard work and enjoys the results for many years to come.

"I have to thank Historic Environment Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park Authority for their input, and I know our partners at Aberdeenshire Libraries, VisitScotland and The Prince's Foundation are very much looking forward to contributing to community life, as well as welcoming the wide range of visitors drawn to this beautiful part of the world."