Date: 30/05/2016

A £3m plan has been unveiled to reinstate the historic Old Royal Station building in Ballater that was devastated by fire last year. The Aberdeenshire station was once used by the Royal family when they travelled to nearby Balmoral. Although no longer used as a rail station, it housed a tourist centre, retail units and a restaurant - all of which were destroyed by the blaze. Plans have now been submitted that would see the station recreated. Parts of the Royal Waiting Room were salvaged from the fire and a replica Royal carriage which had been on display was relatively undamaged. The new planning application would see the station building reinstated - including the VisitScotland information centre, public library and restaurant - as well as the waiting room and carriage. There would be a new exhibition space extending along the old platform and over the tracks, taking the form of railway sheds.

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New £3m plan to rebuild Royal station

BBC News

A £3m plan is unveiled to reinstate the historic Old Royal Station building in Ballater that was devastated by fire last year.

Related images

General view of Ballater station on the Royal Deeside line in July 1962. The line closed in 1966 and the refurbished station building has since become a visitor centre and museum. The next train for Aberdeen stands at the platform.
Location: Ballater
Company: Aboyne and Braemar Railway
07/07/1962 R Sillitto/A Renfrew Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney)

Ballater station fire May 2015 - restaurant entrance.
Location: Ballater
Company: Aboyne and Braemar Railway
18/05/2015 Drew McLelland

The main entrance to the former Ballater station on 3 November 2005.
Location: Ballater
Company: Aboyne and Braemar Railway
03/11/2005 John Furnevel

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