Situated on the River Dee, the picturesque village of Braemar must be doing something right. Having scooped the Best Village for Tourism award twice in the 1990s, not only is it a tourist haven but its prestigious yearly Highland Games are world-famous, sealed by the attendance of the Royal Family. And it's not just in recent years that such prominent figures have descended upon the village; the place has been the haunt of nobility and monarchs since Scottish history began.
Braemar Castle is testament to the village's lively history, which offers insightful guided tours for visitors. Balmoral Castle is also in the region, which opens its magnificent grounds to the public when the Royals aren't in town (whatever time of the year it is this doesn't include the Queen's Private Rooms). This, along with Braemar's majestic mountain scenery and top-rate salmon fishing scene make it a must-visit on a touring holiday of Scotland.
- If you're on a whistle-stop coach trip, don't miss Balmoral Castle on your tour of Braemar to discover why Queen Victoria described it as "my dear paradise in the Highlands".