Royal Deeside's village of Ballater lies within the Cairngorms National Park, eight miles from Balmoral Castle, its granite terraces and royal-warrant shopfronts strung along the River Dee. Golf arrived here in 1892, when a nine-hole layout was laid out on ground held by the Laird of Invercauld. Extra farmland came free in 1905, allowing a stretch to eighteen holes, and the following August the enlarged course and a new pavilion were opened with an exhibition between James Braid and Harry Vardon. Play today is over nine holes, ringed by heather-covered hills, and the turf shifts in character across the round: heathland where the holes run near the Dee, more parkland further from the bank. Two short holes fall inside an opening six generally reckoned the hardest stretch against par. Lochnagar stands away to the west. Golfers basing themselves here find full eighteen-hole layouts at Aboyne, Banchory and Braemar within easy reach. Bar and restaurant in the clubhouse look out over the course, four charging points serve electric vehicles, and visitors may reserve tee times a month ahead.