Originally known as Braigh Mharr in Gaelic, the town lies in a quiet corner of upper Deeside in the middle of a landscape littered with superlatives: it is the UK's highest and most mountainous parish; it boasts 24 munros over three thousand feet and three over four thousand feet; it has the highest 18-hole golf course in the country and, in the Glenshee ski area, the highest road. It is also home to some of the most varied and interesting wildlife, from magnificent 13-point stags, to rare red squirrels and soaring golden eagles. The Village has its own community website www.braemarscotland.co.uk

There are pony treks on the Balmoral estate; hill walks to Speyside, the Angus glens and Blair Atholl; extensive climbing on the crags of Lochnagar and Creag an Dubh Loch; orienteering on the course at Craig Coinnich; numerous mountain bike trails, a hang-gliding centre, skiing & snowboarding a ten-minute drive away at Glenshee, and golf at the Braemar club. Field sportsmen are also spoilt for choice: deer stalking & shooting, and competition angling on well-stocked lochs and rivers, are all within easy reach.

If you're planning on eating out, Gordon's Tearoom is an absolute must, although there will be queues for the exceptional food during the busy summer. Braemar Lodge's award-winning chef takes the best local produce and prepares it using natural flair and innovation. T a s t e . . offers homemade cakes and scones baked daily, along with freshly ground coffees and a range of teas and drinks. At the entrance to the village you'll find The Gathering Place, a small family-run bistro. The Gathering Place is a must visit if you have time for lunch or an evening meal.

Braemar has the highest 18-hole golf course in Britain at around 1,200 feet above sea level. The greens are amongst the finest in the area and the course is very popular with holiday-makers and golfing societies. The course is relatively short, measuring 4,935 off the medal tees, but it will test golfers of any standard. For more info on the other courses in the Cairngorms National Park, check out our golfing pages.

The town is most famous for the world-renowned Braemar Gathering and Highland Games, which are traditionally attended by the Royal Family on the first Saturday in September. There is much more to the town than the main event though. Mar Lodge Estate always has something on throughout the year. While the estate is open for visitors all year round, there are guided walks and events, ceilidhs, and special open days for viewing of the lodge and famous ballroom.

Braemar Gallery: It's fair to say the gallery has an eclectic mix of paintings, etchings, prints, sculpture, pottery and jewellery. The gallery's exhibits are varied and vibrant and it's worth looking out for new and interesting artists alongside the more established names in Scottish Art. In the gallery you'll see works by Pam Carter, Hamish Macdonald, Francis Boag, Jim Wylie, Dronma, Jane Duckfield, Fiona Haldane ,Colin Robertson and Ken Ferguson, to name but a few.