With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.
Glen Lui Hotel in Ballater
Ballater’s back on the map – that’s the bold statement from accommodation providers in the Deeside village as the area continues to bounce back from flooding and rolls out the welcome mat to summer visitors.
Ballater’s hospitality trade is in positive mood as they welcome the return of seasonal visitors choosing the village as their holiday base.
In the past couple of months, the Glen Lui Hotel has welcomed parties of fishermen, golfers and an American shooting party – and staff look forward to seeing yet more visitors to Ballater, attracted by its great range of outdoor activities, while being within easy reach of Aberdeen and the city’s attractions.
Susan Bell of the family-run hotel which has 17 rooms says:
“The village is coming to life again and I think there is a feeling of anticipation as everything is getting busier.
“Shops are looking better and there’s only a few yet to reopen. We’re looking forward to Ballater Victoria Week, Ballater Games and Etape Royale and then our big winter festival which will feature an ice rink and reindeer and these will all result in a lot of activity in the area.
“There are people milling around at the monthly farmers markets too. Ballater has suffered its setbacks with the floods and the fire at the Victoria Station but now everyone wants to push Ballater as much as possible.
“I think everyone is pulling together and looking forward to all that’s ahead.”
Deeside, with its natural beauty and its close connections to the Royal family who arrive at Balmoral Castle for their annual break in August, has long been a favoured destination with visitors.
Alan McCorquodale of the Alexandra Hotel says that Ballater makes a great base for exploring the wider area.
“There are rays of hope all around the village as businesses are refurbished and reopening and community events that will help draw visitors to the area are being planned.
“Great progress has been made and there’s a real push on now to show that Ballater is moving forwards in the right direction.
“In a relatively short time, Ballater has come a long way in overcoming the challenges and hurdles that Storm Frank brought in its wake.
“Six months on and it’s a completely different picture from the images of the flood-ravaged village that filled the newspapers and were broadcast on television news.”
Richard Watts, chairman of Ballater Business Association said that the village is fortunate to boast a great range of bed and breakfast establishments, caravan park open for tourers and campers, guest houses and hotels and that all are well prepared for the school holidays and visitor market.
“We’d encourage visitors from near and far to come and enjoy a break in Ballater and experience for themselves excellent hospitality at our great range or accommodation providers. It’s easy to find them at www.visitballater.com
“Our village has a huge amount of vibrancy and vitality, and we’d encourage visitors, be they day trippers or holiday makers looking for a longer stay, to come and see all that Ballater and the surrounding area has to offer.”
- Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.