Ballater
Ballater is a burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on the River Dee, promptly east of the Cairngorm Mountains. Located at an elevation of 213 m (700 feet), Ballater is a centre for hikers and known for its sparkling water, when said to cure scrofula. It is home to greater than 1500 residents. The medieval pattern of development along this reach of the River Dee was affected by the ancient trackways across the Grampian Mounth, which established strategic locations of castles as well as other Deeside settlements of the Middle Ages. In the very early 14th century, the area belonged to the estates of the Knights of St John, yet the negotiation did not establish till around 1770; initially as a day spa turn to suit visitors to the Pananich Mineral Well, then later upon the arrival of the train in 1866 it was visited by many tourists making use of the much easier access hence managed. Ballater train station was enclosed 1966 however continues to be in use as a visitor centre with an event recording the town's royal connection. Many structures date from the Victorian era as well as the centre of the town is a conservation area. The old visitor centre was considerably damaged by fire in May 2015 however has subsequently been restored and also reopened.
