Ballater

Royal approval runs deep here - this was where Queen Victoria fell in love with the Highlands, and you can see why. Ballater sits perfectly in the Dee valley, surrounded by granite peaks that rise like sleeping giants from the heather-clad moors. The town has that proper Highland feel without being touristy.

Craigendarroch looms right above the town centre, and it's a proper climb that rewards you with cracking views across the Cairngorms. Morven and Culblean Hill offer longer walks for those wanting to stretch their legs properly. The surrounding countryside is classic Deeside - ancient Scots pines, rushing burns, and that clean mountain air that makes you feel like you could walk for miles.

In town, the Victorian railway heritage shows everywhere. The old station is now a visitor centre, while the Monaltrie Monument and Jubilee Fountain remind you of the royal connection. Larks Gallery and Ballater Gallery showcase local artists who clearly draw inspiration from the landscape. The Sir Allan Russell MacKenzie Memorial speaks to the area's military history.

Getting here is straightforward - the A93 from Aberdeen takes about an hour, winding through increasingly wild country as you head west. Banchory is the last proper town before you hit the mountains.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. Ballater Caravan Park puts you right in town, while Braemar Caravan Park gets you even deeper into the Cairngorms. Several sites around Tarland and Aboyne give you options if Ballater's full. From any of these bases, you're perfectly placed for walking the hills, exploring Deeside's castles, or just enjoying that Highland silence that's becoming harder to find.