All Week
Scarecrow Trail
All Week!
See our Scarecrow Page
Saturday 5th Aug
Pop-up Soft Play
Church Green 10am, FREE
Safe, varied, inclusive fun for ages 0-7 Older siblings welcome All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Potted Sports
Church Green 2.30pm, FREE
For children aged up to 11. Older ones welcome to
keep score and help Gary keep them in order!
Prizes for the winning team. Arrive 2.30pm to get in
a team; sports start 3pm.
Film: Local Hero
Mike Sheridan Room, 7 for 7:30pm, £15
Raising funds for the fabulous organisation, Crathie Opportunity Holidays. Local Hero is a 1983 Scottish comedy-drama film written and directed by Bill Forsyth and starring Peter Riegert, Peter Capaldi, Denis Lawson, Fulton Mackay and Burt Lancaster. Produced by David Puttnam, the film is about a large company representative who is sent to the fictional village of Ferness on the west coast of Scotland to purchase the town and surrounding property for his company... For more info and to book go
to www.visitballater.com/events
The Limit at The Balmoral Bar
Balmoral Bar, 9pm
Enjoy live music at the Balmoral Bar
Sunday 6th August
Sunday Fayre, Church Green and Monaltrie Park, from
10am, FREE
A fantastic family day out which, alongside the parade, showcases a lot of what
Ballater has to offer and attractions from further afield. We have some fantastic
groups and businesses running stalls.
Come down and make it the best Summer Fayre for miles around.
Book Fair, Victoria Hall,
10:00 - 17:00 £1
Antiquarian and second-hand books, maps, and other printed material offered for sale by PBFA bookdealers.
Vehicle Parade
Bridge Street, 1pm, FREE
Its back! It was always a highlight of BVW, the vehicle parade will have an eclectic range of transport on
display in Monaltrie Park and following the pipe band round the village square at 1pm.
Monaltrie Park is just a short walk from the centre of the village if you wish to switch
between the two and grab yourself a bite to eat or cup of tea in one of the village shops
or stalls but if you just can’t leave the park we will also have food and drink available on
site to keep you refreshed.
If you’re reading this in advance and you want to show off your pride and joy, whatever
its marque or model, there’s still time to get an entry in.
You can enter online via this page or we can normally squeeze you in if you turn up
on the day.
Songs of Praise
6:30pm Glenmuick Parish Church
Ballater Churches working together present Victoria Week “Songs of Praise” with Aberdeen Citadel Salvation Army Band and an appearance of Ballater Pipe Band. Not to be missedin Glenmuick Parish Church.
Live Music @ the Barrel
Barrel Bar, 6pm
Enjoy live music at the Barrel Bar
Monday 7th August
Messy Play
Victoria Hall, 10am, £3
It’s time to get messy – with a range of hands-on activities involving paint,
foam and sand, among others. Art-gluey activities
are also available, and we’ll have some non-messy
pasti mes to enjoy too. Wear old clothes and bring
a change of clothes. Also maybe a towel...! Suitable
for ages 0-6. All children must be accompanied by a
responsible adult.
Remembering the Past
Hosted by the Ballater Local History Group,
this popular exhibition of photos
from the 1850s to the present day runs from
Monday to Wednesday. Featuring pictures of
local characters, Ballater scenes, weather
extremes, royalty and school days, among
many others, the organisers hope to
encourage conversation and bring back
memories for local people, and generate
interest for visitors too. Optional donation
bucket for entry. Please support.
RUFTS DOG SHOW
Church Green 2pm FREE!
An hour of doggie fun and madness and
laughter, not to be missed. Registration
for all classes takes place on the Green
from 12 noon, where you will receive your tickets for your class or classes
to allow access to the arena. Please note each of this year’s categories are
restricted to 10 entrants only. Please
remember to bring along your poo bags... All dogs must be on a lead and it
is the owners’ responsibility to ensure
their dog/s are well behaved towards other dogs and humans. Come along
to spectate for free and watch the
madness unfold in front of you.
Be Amused. Be very, very Amused.
Pantomime/Mascot/Hobby Horse Trials
Church Green, After Ruft's, FREE
The perfect complement to a mad afternoon on the green following the Dog Show (see over page). BVW has added Hobby
Horses to the Pantomime Horse Trials but you are welcome to
bring your own, bought or made, and Panto and Mascot entries
can follow any theme... Open to all ages. So, get together with
your best pal or nay-bour and join in!
Highland Hustle
Albert Hall, 7.30pm, £tbc
A Highland Dance-inspired workout, suitable for all levels, have fun, shape up!
Tuesday 8th August
Lego Play Session
Albert Hall, 10.30am-12pm, £3-5
(booking advised)
Come and build whatever you like using Ballater
Lego Club’s resources – LOTS of bricks, sets,
added extras and challenges! Open to Lego fans
of all ages. All children must be accompanied by
a responsible adult (free).
Remembering the Past
See Monday
Pignic 4 PIG Church Green, 12pm onwards
Weather permitting, a fun time on the green. Bring
yourselves and food, and settle in for Bonnie Baby
(below)! Donation buckets for Ballater PIG, improving our local playparks.
The Bonnie BVW Baby Fancy Dress Comp
Church Green, 1pm, FREE!
Bonnie Baby tradition gets a BVW makeover in this event for
the under-3s. Dress your child/charge in any Victoria Week
theme you like – take your inspiration from this rogramme’s
pages and think: Be Amused. Three categories: 0-1, 1-2 and 2-3.
Judged by Ballater’s senior citizens. Prizes!
History@the Halls - The Life and Reign of Queen Victoria
Beaton Craigie Room, V&A Halls, 12:30pm, £D
Join Sandy Dolan in looking back at the longest British reign in history, broken only a year ago by her sadly now departed Great Great Granddaughter by Queen Elizabeth ll. The talk takes a look at her glorious reign from her early, her marriage to Prince Albert, her family, her highland servant John Brown, her 1887 Jubilee, her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, her later years… and her death in 1901.
History@the Halls - By Leaves We Live. 'Think Global, Act Local'
Beaton Craigie Room, V&A Halls, 2:00pm, £D
Celebrating Ballater born polymath Sir Patrick Geddes, launching new walk pamphlet guiding round 12 village features.
A collaboration of the Geddes Trust (Kenny Munro) and work of the Ballater Geddes Group (Stella Potter). The library is curating a display of Geddes books, many of which donated to community.
2pm: Illustrated talk on Geddes with artefacts and links to Ballater and India.
Mike Sheridan Room in Halls. Refreshments provided.
3.30pm: Inaugural guided Geddes walk, starting from the Halls.
All FREE but donations to BVW appreciated.”
Ade’s Hall of Games Quiz Show Quiz!
Victoria Hall, 7.30pm, £5pp
Test your skills and knowlege in Ade’s new quiz. Taking
inspirations from Quiz demigod Richard Osmond
and other TV Challenges, it will be a fun evening for
everybody! For more info and to book go
to www.visitballater.com/events
Wednesday 9th August
Try for a Trout!
Chapel Loch, 10am-2pm, FREE!
A special opportunity to learn the delights of fly
fishing from the friendly and experienced team
that is Ballater Angling Associatition, just a mile or
so outside the village in the beautitiful setting of
Chapel Loch. For directitions ask at the Box Office.
Tennis
Ballater Tennis Courts, 1-4pm, £D
Come along to Ballater Tennis Courts to enjoy some fun
tennis games and activities. All equipment provided if
required. Participation by donation to help raise funds
for the club’s new surface appeal.
Putting
The Golf Club, 11am-3pm, £D
Playing just for fun? Or do you have a competitititive
streak...?! There are generous prizes for the
category winners with the lowest scores.
Categories: Children under 10 and age 10-15.
Check The Hub for results and to collect your prize
after the event!
Pop next Door where the Bowling club will also be holding a open day!
Roller Disco
Victoria Hall, SOLD OUT
Here are the times and themes :
4pm Disney Disco
5pm Icons and Idols
6pm Trending Tunes
7pm 80s/90s Revival
Prices are as follows :
Adult - £8
Child - £5
Adult and Child - £10
Family tickets - £20
Skate hire is included in ticket price.
United SK8S will provide skates with sizes ranging from child’s size 8 right up to Adult size 12. You are welcome to bring your own, their rental skates are quad skates but inline skates are more than welcome.
Under 10s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Hot dogs and other snacks will be available to purchase too
Thank you so much to our sponsors so far, @ The Halls Ballater and SRC Plumbing and an anonymous friend of BVW, it’s much appreciated!
We still have two sessions left so if you’d like to sponsor it, please get in touch
Thursday 10th August
BALLATER HIGHLAND GAMES
Beat Retreat
Church Green, 7pm approx £D
Ballater Pipe Band will perform a Beat Retreat
on the Church Green. Please give what you can
and enjoy this very special spectacle.
Post-games
CEILIDH
Victoria Hall, 7.30pm
£10/£5 u16s
foot-stomping ceilidh for all ages
from 8pm. Doors 7.30pm. Licensed
Bar. Raffle. Be Amused.
Ballater Highland Games
Monaltrie Park, from 10am, £10/£3
You are invited to join the traditional Highland Games this
year on Thursday 10th August in Monaltrie Park in the village.
Known as the Friendly Games on Royal Deeside for good
reason, and you can be assured of a warm welcome.
Our full programme has pipe bands; piping and highland dancing competitions; track and light field events; a hill race; heavy field events including tossing the caber; tug o’war;
children’s races, including sack races; and tilt the bucket fun. To add to your interest and enjoyment, there is our fast food
court, beer tent, an interesting variety of trade and craft stalls,
and a funfair. Our gates open at 10am, competitions start at
11am, and the formal opening is at noon.
For further information, including pre-purchasing of admission
tickets, visit.
www.ballaterhighlandgames.com
or email: info@ballaterhighlandgames.com.
Friday 11th August
E-bike Ride
Depart 10.30, £varies,
E-Bikes must be pre booked with The Bike Station. Please carry your own insurance.
Max 8 bikers. Book your place at www.visitballater/events.
Depart 10.30am from Station Square.
CLAN Afternoon Tea
Balmoral Arms, 2-4pm, £12
Indulge yourself in a classic afternoon tea, safe in the
knowledge it’s all in a good cause. CLAN Cancer Support
is an independent charity for anyone aff ected by cancer.
Tickets must be bought in advance from the Balmoral
Arms on Victoria Road.
Brolly and Blanket Family Bingo!
Church Green, 5:30pm for 6pm, £3-5
Books £5 for Adults £3 for Children
Come on down to the Green for a fun family Bingo
event in aid of CLAN Cancer Support. Remember,
there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong
clothing... Come prepared
Karaoke at The Balmoral Bar
Balmoral Bar, 9pm
Enjoy music at the Balmoral Bar
Saturday 12th August
Hall of Bricks
Victoria Hall, 11am-3pm, 2-£10
We are beside ourselves with excitement to be able to bring you a mega
Lego event in Ballater for BVW this year.
Working with Tartan LUG and Ballater Lego Club, our aim is to fill the Victoria Hall with as many large-scale builds as we can, with talented exhibitors from all over Scotland. There will also be a separate play zone for builders to go wild in upstairs (so please don’t touch or allow your children to touch the main exhibits!) plus refreshments, games, robots
and other fun stuff, a Bring What You Built comp and fundraising raffle.
There will also be a Quiet Hour from 10-11 for people who prefer it so.
All proceeds from this event go to the V&A Halls (Ballater) Trust. For more info and to book go
to www.visitballater.com/events
Car Boot Sale
Church Green, 10am - 2pm
Following a couple of years off , Ballater’s very own
car boot sale is back! Taking place on the village
greens, there will be loads of cars, tables, and
stalls filled with bargains. Plus Sheridan’s burgers,
Shorty’s ice cream, and a few other tasty treats to
keep you going (cause we all know you have to go
round a car boot sale at least twice!) In aid of and
organised by Ballater Winter Festival.
Glorious Coronation Concert
Church Green, 3pm, £free
The Glorious Coronation Concert will take place on Ballater Green. We will have some old favourites performing, The Vintage Girls, Degsey, The Ballater Pipe Band to name a few with some new acts ! Our very own home grown Dormie 2, will rock the Green. Every performance is a tribute to famous Groups/Bands and Vocalists with some surprises along the way. Its going to be toe tapping stuff, with dancing and singing along a must !
See you on the Green, all so welcome, don’t forget your picnic !
Big Mountain at The Balmoral Bar
Balmoral Bar, 9pm
Enjoy live music at the Balmoral Bar
Sunday 13th August
Church Services
9.30am, Ballater Victoria Week Service, St Kentigern's Church
11am Glenmuick Church.
4x4 Safari and Optional Walk
Leaves Church Green 11am, £20pp
The BVW 4x4 safaris, made hugely popular
by the late great Hugh Gibson... A team of volunteer drivers will
chauffeur you to Auchallater, a couple of
miles south of Braemar, then head 3 miles
up the Glen Callater track to the Lodge,
where you can enjoy a BBQ outside the
mountain bothy by Loch Callater. Hear
the stories of folklore, the Priest’s Well,
the Arrow Maker’s Crag, the Burn of the
Skull, the unique natural environment and
Jock’s Road. For the adventurous there will
be the option of a guided walk (about 4
km/2.5 miles of paths and track) around
Loch Callater, to take in the mountain
scenery. Return to Ballater by 4pm. For more info and to book go
to www.visitballater.com/events
‘It’s a Funny OLD Game!’
Monaltrie Park, 10:30am
The multi-talented Gary B. and members of the Not so athletic Over-30s Football team (which gets together weekly in Aboyne) have challenged their younger counterparts at Ballater FC to a match!
Victorians V Caroleans
in aid of CLAN Cancer Support.
A collection bucket will also be circulated for
spectators to contribute to and raise much-needed
funds for the regional charity.
The old boys have also been kind enough to allow the
opposing whippersnappers an advantage, by opting
to play in Victorian period dress...
Spectators, cheerleaders and mascots welcome.
Duck Race
Church Green 1pm
See our Duck Page for more details
Live Music @ the Barrel
Barrel Bar, 6pm
Enjoy live music at the Barrel Bar
SIR PATRICK GEDDES
The Sir Patrick Geddes Memorial Trust have sent BVW some information
and short video on polymath Patrick Geddes (1854-1932) who was born in
Ballater.
A pdf with 39 slides which
tell a story of Geddes and the formation of the Ballater Geddes Group
and how it promoted his legacy by inspiring a range of educational and
cultural activities. They focus on the 150th anniversary of his birth in
2004 and physical artefacts in Ballater: his birth house plaque; Geddes
sculpture gates at school and the walkway waymarkers; The Geddes bus
stop; the street named after him and a round bronze portrait which is
destined for the Library. The images describe connections alive now
across Scotland, in France, India, and around the world.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10_I49Tifz_e8KykdnjaUU8hWR_lhexUf/view?usp=sharing
A short Geddes inspired YouTube video: https://youtu.be/3MrjpczwC44
This
was part of the language of Rivers and Leaves project which brought a
Bengal boat to Ballater in 2004. It starts in Bengal and ends at
launching the boat at Loch Kinord. This project enabled school children
at Ballater and Finzean to learn about ecology via the Geddes story.
Their artwork was displayed with a series of marvellous panels made by
Tom Potter supported by Aberdeenshire Council.
From
1998 to 2007 The Ballater Geddes Group, with great input from the
Potter family, enabled this exciting international exchange between
school children in India, where Geddes worked.
CLAN FARQUHARSON UK ANNUAL GATHERING 8-11th AUGUST 2023
For Details of the CLAN FARQUHARSON UK ANNUAL GATHERING please see www.clanfarquharson.com/