Royal Deeside : Ballater Walking Festival : Applying for a place

Applying to take part in Ballater Royal Deeside Walking Festival

Clicking on the button at the end of this paragraph causes an application form to appear. You may print this and post it to the address given on the form. This address plus telephone and fax details are also given in the Introduction page of this section

You may contact us by electronic mail by clicking the following button.

Below we give some information on accommodation plus some necessary conditions for participating in Ballater Royal Deeside Walking Festival.

Details of accommodation available in Royal Deeside are given elsewhere within this website, click here 'Accommodation and Food' or on the dark blue button above left. Please note that some walks have an early start time so, if necessary please check when booking that an early breakfast will be available.

Some information and necessary conditions

Smoking Because of the risk of forest and heathland fires walkers may not smoke whilst on the guided walks .

Dogs: In common with other similar events, dogs are not allowed on walks. Many walks go through livestock areas, or places where ground nesting birds breed, and this is a sensitive time of year. This rule is strictly applied (guide dogs excepted).

Liability Insurance: Participants in Ballater Royal Deeside Walking Festival take part at their own risk. The event is covered by public liability insurance, but you are strongly advised to check that you have adequate personal accident insurance.

Equipment: It is very important that you have suitable equipment. Most of our walks require full hill-walking gear, including (layers), hats, gloves, boots and waterproofs. Remember that you will need a packed lunch each day.

Transport: When necessary, transport (coach or minibus) is supplied to take you between the start or end of the walk and the village. If you wish to use your own vehicle you must inform us in advance. (Even if a walk starts and finishes at the same place, there may be very limited space for parking.)

Walk Grading: On information page we give a broad description of the differences between the three categories - Easy, Medium and Strenuous. In addition, for each walk we give the length and ascent (in both metric and imperial measure). Another indicator of the relative difficulty of a walk, is the table where relevant aspects - length, ascent, steepness and rough ground – are graded into five levels (1 = easiest, 5 = hardest). We trust this will help you avoid biting off more than you can chew

Walks start from the ‘Hut on the Green’ opposite Glenmuick Church on Bridge Street, Ballater at 9.00am, unless otherwise stated.

Evening Programme: Don’t forget to leave some energy for the evening programme, ending with the annual ceilidh, when everyone lets their hair down, shares a dram or two, and promises to meet again next year!

Booking: Registration and pre-booking for all walks and transport is essential. Click here for a Printable booking form for the main walks and the rambles.