Royal Deeside is home to some of the finest scenery in Scotland, with the River Dee running through some stunning countryside all all set against the backdrop of the mighty Cairngorm Mountains. This area is where you'll find Balmoral Castle, the summer home of the Royal Family - hence Royal Deeside.
There's a good range of EatScotland outlets near this walk too, for a suitable reward after your outdoor exertions including The Green Inn and The Gathering Place in Ballater, Taste and Gordon's Tearoom and Restaurant in Braemar and The Milton Restaurant in Crathes.
Before beginning this walk, it's worth taking some time to explore Ballater and the Old Royal Station there. The pretty (former royal) wooden railway station is packed with local visitor information, houses a Royalty and Railways exhibition, which re-creates the grandeur and ceremony of the bygone steam age. There's also an excellent restaurant and shops within the building.
If you wish to walk one way there is a regular bus service (Mon-Sat) back to Ballater from Cambus O'May and Dinnet. An infrequent bus service also operates on a Sunday.
To begin your journey, walk past the Station Restaurant and visitor centre and turn left between the station buildings, then right to access the platform and the path. The walkway soon becomes a delightful fenced path, with the oak-wooded hill of Craigendarroch rising to your left. Cross the A93 road with care and continue along the peaceful path. In about 800 metres, the ruined 15th century church of Kirkton of Tullich is on the left. St Nathalan founded the first chapel here in the 7th century.
The path continues between birch trees. On a low hill to the right, there's a tall granite obelisk in memory of William Farquharson of Monaltrie, who died in 1828 aged 75, from the line of local landowners. Shortly after this, you will see the River Dee on the right. It's an ideal picnic spot here, overlooking the water.
The river stays in view for the walk to Cambus O'May around a curve with a good view of the elegant white suspension bridge across the river. You'll also see the picturesque Cutaway Cottage, with its white picket fence and manicured garden. From here, there's a fine view of the wide sweeping river with heathery hills beyond.
You have the option here to catch the bus by the Cambus O'May Hotel (on the A93) back to Ballater or continue on your journey towards Dinnet and catch a bus back from there.
As there's no bus stop at Cambus O'May, you need to hail the bus from the roadside.
To continue on to Dinnet, cross the suspension bridge near the Hotel and walk along the A93 for a short way until you reach a Forestry Commission Scotland car park, where a path leads through the Muir of Dinnet woodlands. This path continues to Dinnet itself, becoming a straight sandy track crossing the Muir of Dinnet, out of sight of both river and road. The track is fringed by birch and pine trees with a glorious sweep of heather on the left.
You rejoin the road as you reach Dinnet. The developed footpath ends here. You can either return to Ballater by the same route, enjoying different views towards the hills of upper Deeside, or perhaps relax with a drink and something to eat at the Loch Kinord Hotel in Dinnet for a while before catching the bus back to Ballater.
There are a number of other walks available in this lovely area of Scotland including four waymarked from the Cambus O'May car park and walks at the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve. If higher peaks are more your thing, head down Glen Muick from Ballater where you'll find 5 Munros, including renowned Lochnagar and the Corbett of Conachcraig.
