Ballater is a burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on the River Dee, immediately east of the Cairngorm Mountains. Situated at a height of 213 m (700 ft) in elevation, Ballater is a centre for hikers and known for its spring water, once said to cure scrofula.
The medieval pattern of development along this reach of the River Dee was influenced by the ancient trackways across the Grampian Mounth, which determined strategic locations of castles and other Deeside settlements of the Middle Ages.
In the early 14th century, the area was part of the estates of the Knights of St John, but the settlement did not develop until around 1770; first as a spa resort to accommodate visitors to the Pananich Mineral Well, then later upon the arrival of the railway in 1866 (since closed). Ballater railway station was closed in 1966. Many buildings date from the Victorian era and the centre of the village is a conservation area.
Balmoral Castle, the British Royal Family's holiday home, lies approximately 14 km west, and the family has visited the town frequently since the time of Queen Victoria.
Birkhall lies about 2 km south-west of Ballater. The Victoria Barracks is used by the Royal Guard for the castle.
