Where Heritage Meets Hospitality

Located in the historic village of Ballater, just six miles from Balmoral Castle, The Rothesay Rooms offers an unforgettable dining experience where heritage meets hospitality.

Staff standing in front of the Rothesay Rooms café

Afternoon tea setup with pastries and cups by a window.

Royal Deeside

From Restoration to Renowned Dining

Following the devastating fire, followed by floods of Storm Frank in 2015, Ballater faced the challenge of rebuilding its community and local businesses. The then ‘His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay’ pledged his support through The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust, inspiring a project to help restore the village’s spirit and economy.

Rothesay Rooms was created as a restaurant dedicated to showcasing local produce, supporting regional suppliers, and celebrating the heritage of Royal Deeside.

Shaggy highland cow standing in a field.

Heritage

A Taste of Scottish Heritage

Set within Ballater’s historic Old Royal Station, once used by Queen Victoria on her journeys to Balmoral, Rothesay Rooms offers a distinctive Highland dining experience where royal heritage meets contemporary Scottish cuisine.

Our menus showcase the finest seasonal, locally sourced Scottish produce, prepared with care and creativity. Highland-inspired décor, bespoke wooden furnishings, and Duke of Rothesay tartan complete an atmosphere rooted in Royal Deeside hospitality.

Our Suppliers

Our path through time & tradition

Each year marks another chapter in our story. We have grown with the community.

Due to bad weather, the Royal Family were unable to return by royal yacht from their summer residence at Balmoral. The Great North of Scotland Railway hastily assembled a train of saloon carriages, and the Royal Family travelled from Montrose—the first of many rail journeys between London and Scotland.

The railway line was extended to Ballater and operated by the Aboyne and Braemar Railway company.

The Royal Waiting Room was built to a design approved by Queen Victoria.

After Queen Victoria’s death, the Saloon was removed from traffic in 1902. It was kept at the Museum of British Transport in Clapham before moving to the National Railway Museum in York.

15th October 1965, Her Majesty’s last journey from Ballater began at 7.15pm. In February 1966, the passenger service from Ballater ceased.

Her Majesty visits the Station and Royal Waiting Room as part of its centenary year.

After extensive refurbishment, the Ballater Station was reopened as a visitor centre and restaurant.

Ballater Station is devastated by a fire.

Ballater Station reopens following extensive refurbishment by Aberdeenshire council and The Prince’s Foundation.

Join us

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re exploring Ballater, discovering the beauty of Royal Deeside, or seeking an unforgettable Scottish café experience, Rothesay Rooms welcomes you.

Enquire today and enjoy a memorable taste of Scotland.

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