Victorian train travel returns to Scotland
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2008 15:40
Ballater in the Scottish Highlands is to welcome Victoria train travel – 40 years since the last carriages pulled out of the town.
The Royal saloon carriage, as used by Her Majesty Queen Victoria on her journey between Ballater and Windsor in the late nineteenth century, will be lifted into the town's Old Royal Station.
The carriage completes a Victorian railway scene at the station – which is now a visitors centre.
Ballater lies in the valley of Royal Deeside – described by Queen Victoria as her 'dear Highland paradise'.
A special Victorian heritage trail has now been established to allow visitors to retrace the Queen's foot steps through the valley on her way to Balmoral.
The trail takes travellers to Braemar Castle, home to Highland Games, granite-walled church Crathie Kirk, which was opened by Victoria in 1895, and the village of Fettercairn – 40 miles from the royal residence of Balmoral.
Local tales go that on a visit to Fettercairn, a royal party stayed at the local inn incognito to enjoy all the village had to offer.