Visitors to get the royal treatment as Ballater Station rises from the ashes
A fire, in the early hours of 12 May 2015, sadly destroyed the historic B-listed Old Royal Station in the Deeside town of Ballater, which housed a VisitScotland iCentre, a replica railway carriage, exhibition, restaurant and shops.
Owners of the building, Aberdeenshire Council, made the decision to rebuild the Station, which ceased to be used as a rail station in 1966, but has a rich cultural history and is integral to the region’s tourism industry. They led a £3 million renovation project during which contractors were appointed to rebuild and fit out the entire building. Old plans and photography were used to ensure the build was as authentic as possible.
The historic royal waiting room interior has been painstakingly restored to ensure it retains its previous grandeur and the replica Royal Carriage - which firefighters managed to save in the blaze and which was moved elsewhere on site during the work - was relocated a year ago on the slightly extended station platform.
The exterior of the new building is almost identical to previous and where possible, the original fabric of the building has been used. The rebuild has seen modernisation of the station whilst at the same time, retaining much of its character, including the installation of new electrical wiring, fire-treated timber and safety systems.
The new VisitScotland iCentre – one of three within the Cairngorms National Park - occupies a shared space with Aberdeenshire Libraries, and within the new facility there is also a bistro and tearoom, run by the Duke of Rothesay’s charitable trust, the Prince’s Foundation.
Incorporating the library in to the Old Royal Station rebuild provides the local community and visitors to the area with a much improved and more joined-up service. Modern libraries are far more than a book lending service, they are community hubs which provide vital information as well as a welcoming environment for visitors.
Due to the partnership with VisitScotland, the library is a vital part of what will be a key visitor attraction.
In the iCentre (one of 26 high-impact information hubs in Scotland), visitors will find iconic and inspirational imagery of breathtaking Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms National Park adorning the walls. Free WiFi and a range of leaflets and maps will also help visitors to plan and book their stay.
It is Royal Deeside’s official source on everything there is to see and do in Aberdeenshire, the Cairngorms National Park and beyond.
Accommodation booking and ticketing services have been retained and visitors are encouraged to pop in and speak to VisitScotland’s information experts who will offer inspiration and advice on what there is to see and do.
Gifts, arts and crafts are all available to buy and included in the iCentre are products sold as part of VisitScotland’s new retail initiative Shop Local, which offers local artisans the opportunity to promote and sell their products to visitors via their iCentre network.