The Fife Arms

Visit the Balmoral Castle, the Highland residence of the British Royal family since the time of Queen Victoria. When the Royal family is not in residence, parts of the estate open to the public for seasonal visits. You’ll walk through the gardens, explore exhibitions inside the ballroom and learn how the estate has been used as a private retreat for generations.

Displays share photographs, objects and stories connected to royal life at Balmoral. The wider grounds offer walking paths, woodland and open parkland that show the scale of the estate. It is a rare chance to step inside a place linked with British royal history.

Set out on a guided off-road drive across the Invercauld Estate in a classic Land Rover Defender with the estate’s Ghillie team. The route follows rough hill tracks used for generations across open moorland and working estate land. Along the way, you’ll pass the remains of old settlements and places once linked to illicit whisky distilling, while learning how the landscape has been used over time.

Your driver shares stories about the estate, local history and life in the Highlands today. The drive lasts around two hours and covers ground rarely seen from public roads, offering a different perspective of the surrounding hills and glens.

Relish a game of tennis on Braemar’s all-weather courts, located beside the local golf club and a short walk from the hotel. The courts were donated to the village by Iwan and Manuela Wirth in 2022 and are open for guests to use during daylight hours. You’ll book a court through the Ghillie team and head over for a casual rally or a more competitive match.

Rackets and balls are available if you do not have your own equipment. If you’d like guidance, private lessons can also be arranged. It is an easy way to spend time outdoors while making use of a well-kept local sports facility.