Ballater Victoria Week

20/08/2026

Caught up with some of the winners from the Scarecrow Trail and Duck Race! 👏✨

Many thanks and well done everyone!

18/08/2026

Whew! Now that things are mostly all tidied up and packed away, we wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make Ballater Victoria Week 2026 the success that it was 💫

It was a fabulous week, and so lovely to see so many returning faces alongside plenty of new ones. Thank you to everyone who came along, got involved, supported local businesses, and helped us celebrate everything Ballater has to offer.

BVW 2026 was brought to you by...
Gary Boden, Laura, Russell, Evelyn and Rowan Hogg, Bess Lacy, Anna Carey-Miller, Andoni Garcia Olaskoaga, Ade, Lizzie and Ryah Scripps, Lyndsey, Alistair and Harrison Boden, Simon Mearns, Guy Carey-Miller, Kate Wenham, Fiona Henderson, David Taylor, Cat Scripps, Kevin Houston, Claire Cameron, Lesley, Eck and Lexi McCracken, Amanda Dickinson, Martin, Nicola and Peter Belleini, Rebecca and Alex Hourston, Nic Reid, Joan Anderson, Priscilla and Andrea Brown, Eileen Gauld, Athol Bowman (and his wagon!), Sabine and the team at St Kentigern's Church, Jenny and the team at A Bear Named Buttony, Mary Nairn, Ballater Local History Group, Tim Collet, Hugh Leighton, Paul Ratcliffe, Ballater Bowling Club, Jim Luff, Josephine Hazely, Fiona Reid, Ryan Cromar, Fiona Anfield, Kyle, Ballater Royal Horticultural Society, Chloe MacIntyre, Len Cargill, 7 Bridge Creek, Christina Johnston, Ballater Community Fire Station, Our wonderful hubbers - Diane, Claire, Ray, Mary, Stella, Janet, Meg, Nessa, Alison, Hugh, Jan, Ernie, Anita, Tania, Alan, Elaine, Josephine, Rosemary, Ryan and Phil.

THANK YOU!

Huge thanks also to our sponsors and supporters - The Hearth by Bide Hotels, The Balmoral Bar, The Hoggs, Ballater & Crathie Eagle, Ballater Community Trust, Path & Pine Hideaways, Royal Lochnagar, Ballater Caravan Park, H.M SHERIDAN LTD, Ballater Barkers, Pooches&Pals, Kt Boutique, Braemar Mountain Sports Ltd, O’Halloran Electrical, Mackinnons Solicitors, Darroch Learg, The Gordon Guest House, Brakeley Gift Room, Joan Anderson Storyteller, Allan & Black Coaches, Ballater Co-op, The Barrel, Wee Jim Landscapes, Ballater Hostel, Shorty's, Grant Considine - With your support, we can continue to bring all the fun, festivities and mayhem to Ballater, while keeping it affordable and accessible for everyone.

Ballater Victoria Week 2027 will run from the 7-15th August. We’re always looking for more folk to join our team, whether you fancy getting stuck in behind the scenes or lending a hand during the week, if you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!

'til next time,

Be Amused.

💜💛💜💛

17/08/2026

✨🌟 STARS OF BVW 🌟✨

Days 7, 8, and 9!

FRIDAY:
Went to Gary, who not only took on the reins as Chairman of BVW this year, he worked super hard throughout the week at various events, and as well as organising the Potted Sports and Football Match, did a top job of calling at the Bingo! 👏

We were also very appreciative of Kyle's help, who helped pack up Mum&Dad-iators, and the Market Stalls on Sunday! 👏

SATURDAY:
Went to Christina, who was an excellent help tidying away the Saturday's fun, and was part of the team who took down to bunting too! 👏

Alex was a big help at various points throughout the week, from hoofing Lego to running our stall at the Car Boot Sale, as well as simply being kind and supportive at every event he attended. We really appreciate you, Alex! 👏

Wee Harry was a superstar at the live jamming, singing and playing guitar, and did a great job keeping everyone entertained 👏

Len is the driving force behind The Whispering Scream, and did a wonderful job of organising the Live Jamming, which was such a lovely event, enjoyed by many 👏

SUNDAY:
Lyndsey showed up and was helpful at various points in the week, and on Sunday was a big help counting all the ducks, selling them, and catching them too! 👏

Ryan took on he organising of the 4x4 Safari this year, as well as the new E-bike Safari, which were both enjoyed by all who attended 👏

Ballater Community Fire Station do an incredible job keeping Ballater and the surrounding areas safe all year round, and have worked particularly hard during the wildfires. So to have them turn up to the Duck Race with such enthusiasm and support was so appreciated. We’re very lucky to have such a fantastic team looking after our community! 👏

BVW can't happen without people like you so...

THANK YOU!!

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

Lost propertyyyy

One waterbottle, one set of earphones and a mystical and magical sack.

Any owners please get in touch!

17/08/2026

🌊 POST DUCK RACE SPLASH 🌊

How else do you round out nine days of mayhem?

Pics by The Hoggs - thank you!

Be Amused.

17/08/2026

🌈 DUCK RACE ON THE GREEN 🌈

The grand finale of BVW 2026 💛

Congratulations to our winners -
1st | Purple 28 - Wendy Cobban
2nd | Burgundy 99 - Anna Carey-Miller
3rd | Purple 92 - Megan Taylor

We are beyond grateful to the guys and gals at Ballater Community Fire Station for making it along, and for their support towards this event every year - thank you!

THANK YOUs to...

Our duck sellers and counters - Lyndsey, Kate, Simon, Nicole, Alison, Libby and Family, Nicola, Martin and Peter!

Our event sponsors - Shorty's and Grant Considine

Dormie 2 for the lovely live music!

Pics by The Hoggs - thank you!

Be Amused.

17/08/2026

🛻 4x4 SAFARI 🛻

A great day was had by all at the 4x4 Safari!

Making new friends, taking in some beautiful scenery, unique sights followed by wonderful hospitality at Royal Lochnagar Distillery with an excellent BBQ by Jeanette and Sandra of Davidson's Butcher.

Huge thanks to Ryan for organising, all our guests, drivers - Martin, Phil, Di, Hugh, Athol, Fiona, Malcolm, Charlie, Vicky and Fraser. Andy our host at Corndavon Lodge.

Our heartfelt BVW thanks also go to Invercauld Estate, Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Bike Station and Davidson's Butcher for their generous sponsorship.

Pics by The Hoggs and Mary and Martin Reekie - thank you!

Be Amused.

17/08/2026

🚵‍♀ E-BIKE SAFARI 🚵‍♀

Love these pics from our new E-bike Safari yesterday!

Thanks to all who participated and supported.

Huge thanks to Ryan for organising, E-bike guides Russell and Kayleigh, Invercauld Estate, Royal Lochnagar, Bike Station and Davidson's Butcher for supporting and sponsoring.

Pics by The Hoggs - thank you!

Be Amused.