The Auld Kirk, Ballater ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

31 Braemar Road, Ballater, Ballater, United Kingdom

The Auld Kirk is a charming B&B located in a beautifully restored Victorian Free Church building in Ballater, at the heart of Royal Deeside. This guesthouse combines history with modern comforts, creating a unique stopover spot for travelers exploring the Cairngorms National Park. Its distinctive architecture preserves original features while offering stylish accommodations. The hotel's setting provides easy access to local attractions, including Balmoral Castle.

Location

The Auld Kirk sits on the western edge of Ballater, about 65 km from Aberdeen, making it easily accessible for travelers. Situated within the picturesque Cairngorms National Park, it serves as an ideal base for exploring local attractions, including the famous whisky trail. Public transportation options and parking are available, allowing guests to enjoy the tranquil rural setting.

Rooms

The Auld Kirk features seven well-appointed guest bedrooms, including a mix of twin, double, and family rooms situated on the first floor. Each room is equipped with en-suite facilities and modern amenities such as smart TV access and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests benefit from thoughtful touches including a Nespresso machine, local mineral water, and Scottish Soap Company toiletries. Many rooms also offer scenic views of the surrounding area.

Eat & Drink

The on-site coffee lounge serves an assortment of sweet and savoury pastries, freshly baked rolls, and indulgent desserts, making it a popular spot among locals and visitors. Guests can relax indoors or on the external terrace while enjoying a light lunch, afternoon tea, or a beverage from a selection of beers, wines, and malt whiskies. The setting is designed for a casual, welcoming atmosphere.

Leisure & Business

Guests have access to a cozy ground-floor lounge located in the former side chapel, providing a stylish space to unwind after outdoor activities. For those looking to explore the surrounding natural beauty, options for golfing and horse riding are nearby. The hotel also caters to individual needs for packed lunches and offers luggage storage facilities for added convenience.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Twin Room

Max:

2 persons

15 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Mountain view

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Double Room

Max:

2 persons

12 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Mountain view

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Family Room

Max:

3 persons

15 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Mountain view

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Check Prices

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Centre

Ballater400 m

Airports

Aberdeen (ABZ) 63.2 km

Dundee (DND) 109.2 km

Bus

Bus stop 9.7 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Breakfast!

“The breakfast was absolutely outstanding, offering a wonderful variety that catered to all tastes, all made with love.” view full review

Cozy & Comfortable!

“The room was incredibly cozy with top-notch amenities, providing a perfect retreat after a day of hiking.” view full review

Charming Ambiance!

“The unique charm of the converted church added a beautiful character to the living area, enhancing our delightful stay.” view full review

Lovely Little Touches!

“The bathroom was well-appointed with nice little details that made it feel luxurious and comfortable.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Parking
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Hiking
Horseback riding
Cycling
Golf course
Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Dining

Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Children

Cots
Board games

Spa & Leisure

Sun terrace
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

31 Braemar Road, Ballater, Ballater, United Kingdom

Map view

31 Braemar Road, Ballater, Ballater, United Kingdom

City landmarks

Crathie and Braemar 9km west of Ballater

Crathie Church

1.6 km

Gallery

McEwan Gallery

2.2 km

Nearby

Church

Glenmuick Church

350 m

Gallery

The Ballater Gallery

350 m

Gallery

Larks Gallery

350 m

Church

St Kentigern's Church

360 m

Restaurants

Victoria's

140 m

1 Braemar Road

The Lochnagar Indian Brasserie

450 m

2 Church Square

The Bothy

330 m

43 Bridge Street

Deeside Deli & Garden Shop

620 m

47 Bridge Street

The Carriage

340 m

Station Square Ballater Station

The Balmoral Bar

350 m

1 Netherly Place

Glenaden Hotel

490 m

6 Church Square

India on the Green Restaurant

510 m

9 Victoria Road

The Deeside Inn Restaurant

590 m

13-15 Victoria Road

Rock Salt & Snails

580 m

2 Bridge Street

Clachan Grill

610 m

5 Bridge Square

Bridge House Cafe

590 m

Bridge Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

88%

liked the hotel and would stay again

8.8/10

Great

Rooms

9.0

Location

9.2

Service

9.2

Dining

9.2

Douglas

United Kingdom, May 2024

9.2/10

My stay at the hotel was delightful, with lovely rooms that were immaculate and attractive. However, I wished for a cozier ambiance with a fireplace in the room. The service was fantastic, with staff being both polite and friendly, always ready to help and provide useful information. The location was superb, allowing easy exploration of the Ballater area and being just a short walk from the village center. The dining experience was exceptional, offering a variety of gluten-free options and delicious home-baked treats. The facilities were top-notch, contributing to a memorable stay.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were lovely, very clean, and very comfortable, with attractive decor.

Service

9.0

The staff were all wonderful, friendly, and went above and beyond to assist.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location was excellent for exploring the Ballater area and Balmoral Castle, just a leisurely walk from the village center.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was fantastic, offering plenty of gluten-free options and delicious home-baked goods.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were well-maintained and added to the overall experience.

Mary

United Kingdom, December 2023

8.8/10

The hotel offers great rooms, wonderful service, and an excellent location for exploring the Ballater area. The dining experience was fantastic with plenty of choices. However, facilities were limited.

Rooms

9.0

My room was great, very comfortable, immaculate, and beautifully presented with some extras.

Service

10.0

The staff were all wonderful, friendly, and helpful at all times, going above and beyond.

Location

9.0

The location was excellent, perfect as a home base for exploring Ballater and Balmoral Castle.

Dining

9.0

The dining was fantastic with plenty of home baking and delicious choices.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were good, but there were some limitations.

Hannah

United States, November 2023

8.8/10

I can't wait to go back to this hotel! The rooms are absolutely stunning and filled with all kinds of fresh, homemade cakes and pastries that are just mouth-watering. The breakfast was the most delicious I've had, and the staff at breakfast and housekeeping were extremely friendly. The only downside is that the rooms can be a bit dark, but overall, it's a fantastic place to stay.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms are drawing me back to try out as they look brilliant. They are all fresh with homemade cakes and pastries, mouth-watering!

Service

9.0

The service was top-notch! The staff at breakfast were hands-on, out front, and offered great service. They were all friendly, helpful, and full of useful information. The housekeeping staff and welcome drink were just lovely.

Location

9.0

The location is excellent, being near the center of Ballater. It's just a five-minute walk from the town center, making it perfect for exploring Ballater and its surroundings. The staff went above and beyond to help us find a place for dinner at short notice and provided advice on making the most of our time in the area.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was fantastic! There were plenty of options to choose from, and the food was plentiful, very delicious, and of very good quality. I would happily stay here again for the fantastic meal experience.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were great, including self-service food options that added convenience to the stay.

Hal

United States, November 2023

9.4/10

My stay at this hotel was phenomenal. The rooms were superbly decorated, extremely clean, and featured a genuine double bed with a mix of class and authenticity. The breakfast was first class, and the shower room had complimentary toiletries and large fluffy towels. The atmosphere was gorgeous, making it a delightful experience overall.

Rooms

10.0

The rooms were beautifully decorated, extremely clean, and had excellent facilities including a well-appointed shower room with complimentary toiletries and large fluffy towels. The mix of class and authenticity made my stay even more special in a gorgeous atmosphere.

Service

9.0

The service at this hotel was exceptional. The staff, especially a warm, welcoming, and slightly mad lady, worked very hard to keep the standards at a premium. Despite a challenging day when they lost electricity, the staff remained friendly, helpful, and efficient, ensuring a pleasant stay.

Location

9.0

The location of the hotel was lovely, situated on a quiet street in a great village. The friendly staff went above and beyond to assist with dining arrangements and provide valuable advice for exploring the area. The charming hosts made our group of eight feel welcome, ensuring that no special needs were overlooked.

Dining

10.0

The dining experience was outstanding. I enjoyed a feast of different freshly made options along with an assorted buffet. The homemade rolls were a personal favorite, making every meal a delight to remember.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel facilities were top-notch, offering everything needed for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The attention to detail in creating a pleasant environment was remarkable, adding to the overall experience.

Alison

United Kingdom, October 2023

8.6/10

The hotel offers absolutely stunning rooms that are spacious and equipped with all the facilities you might need, although some areas like the carpets might feel a bit outdated. The service provided by the knowledgeable and friendly staff is exceptional, making for a professional and warm stay. The location is perfect, just a five-minute walk from the town center, with friendly and helpful staff accommodating day trips to the Highlands. The dining experience is outstanding, with a variety of freshly made options for breakfast. Overall, a great value for a bed and breakfast stay with exceptional service and amenities.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were absolutely stunning and spacious with all the facilities you might need, but some areas like the carpets appeared a bit outdated.

Service

9.0

The staff were so knowledgeable and friendly, providing exceptional accommodation and professional services with exceptional warmth.

Location

9.0

The location was perfect, just a five-minute walk from the town center with friendly staff offering great advice for day trips to the Highlands.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was the best of any breakfasts we had on our trip to Scotland, with homemade scones and various delicious options.