The Queen visits Ballater

The Queen visited Ballater to meet members of the local community whose homes and livelihoods were affected by flooding in the lead up to the New Year in 2016.

Around 600 homes and 100 businesses in the Aberdeenshire village of Ballater were devastated as the River Dee swept through following Storm Frank which caused widespread destruction across large parts of Scotland last winter.

The Queen's visit to Ballater began with a short walk along Bridge Street to see the efforts of local businesses through various stages of repair and rebuild. Her Majesty proceeded to the Glenmuick Church to speak with residential flood victims and members of the local community who have played a crucial role in the response to the crisis, including representatives from the Police, Fire Brigade, Rotary Club, Hall Committee, the Ballater Chiels and Aberdeenshire Council.

The next stop was to the Ballater Caravan Park to view the landscape which was heavily impacted by floodwaters, alongside a section of the site that was reopened in May.

At the end of the day Her Majesty arrived at the Ballater Golf Club for a short reception to celebrate its reopening. Throughout the visit, The Queen heard of the recovery that has been achieved by the local people through fortitude and resilience in the months that followed the floods.

The village of Ballater in Aberdeenshire is close to Balmoral Castle, the private residence of The Queen in Scotland.