Old station rises from the ashes after blaze

A former railway station building on Royal Deeside is to reopen three years after it was destroyed by fire.

A ceremony took place yesterday to mark the completion of rebuilding Ballater’s Old Royal Station.

The B-listed station was historically used by royals travelling to nearby Balmoral Castle. The building, which sits in the heart of the village, was devastated by fire in May 2015 and has been rebuilt by Aberdeenshire Council.

The station is home to a Visitscotland information centre, a restaurant and tearoom run by the Prince’s Foundation and a public library, as well as the royal waiting room and carriage.

Effort was taken to retain as much of the original fabric of the waiting room interior as possible, the council said.

Provost Bill Howatson said: “Once again visitors to Ballater will be able to experience this important part of the town’s royal heritage and history, in surroundings which are arguably improved on what went before the devastating fire back in 2015.

“The restoration is very sympathetic and there’s a very high standard of workmanship. I hope the community is proud of what is the result of a lot of hard work.”