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The Box Office is open for tickets and information
The Box Office is in the centre of the village near local landmark Glenmuick Church

Despite there being glorious blue skies and it being the hottest day of the year so far (32.5 C) Ernie is doing good business selling tickets in the Box Office

Interested in the children's programme?... Yes please Victoria Week is fun and interesting for families and all ages.

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It's another 32 C day here and The Albert Hall basks in the afternoon sunshine. The Hall is just one of the Victoria Week venues. It features an inscription to Prince Albert Queen Victoria's husband and consort.

An empty Monaltrie Park which in just a week's time will host Ballater Highland Games, a Funfair and an expected 5000+ people!

The Old Royal Station which includes the Tourist Information Office and an award winning restaurant are opposite the Victoria and Albert Halls complex the main venue for indoor Victoria Week events.

Victoria Week Display of Golf Memorabilia from 1903 in Ballater Library window.

With apologies for the camera angle but the glow is lovely! Inside the Victoria Hall - the venue for tonight's opening concert by the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus. Above the stage is this lovely round stained glass window

Ballater and District Pipe Band welcome the Phillipines Chorus opening Ballater Victoria Week. Drawing a crowd outside they march into Victoria Hall to complete the welcome.

Ballater welcomes the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus - the Aberdeen International Youth Festival Touring Programme contribution for Ballater Victoria Week. The intensity and joy of performance is caught in this picture. A performer takes a bow.

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Friday Morning - Daily Diaries show events/changes/additions etc. One of this evening's events - the popular Hilltop Safari is already sold out - there will be more.

Graham sets up his Model Train Exhibition in The Old Royal Station. He has been collecting since he was eight. The Old Royal Station provides a lovely venue out of the heat. (Mid day 28 C Later 31+). Coming round the bend.

Today's headlines from the local newspaper the Press & Journal.

A view down Ballater's Bridge Street and Royal Warrants displayed by a supplier to the Royal Household at Balmoral.

Friday Afternoon. The Millennium Window in the Albert Hall glows above them as children get arty below producing Funky Futtrets and Coronation Creations under the supervision of "Mr Bob" a teacher at Ballater school.
Concentration! Et voila... Funky Futtrets. Bell Macaulay, Victoria Week Coordinator, comes to view the afternoon's product.

20 4WD vehicles required to take 100 people on a special one off Hilltop Safari to Corndavon Lodge! Vehicles and intrepid passengers assemble outside Glenmuick Church. (Later) Reports from those who went say it was an excellent trip. For the rest of Victoria Week Hilltop Safaris will run to Sgor Buidhe.

Later Friday Night - an expedition to learn of local Ghosts and Spooky Happenings. The self proclaimed "Hecate, Queen of the Night" also known locally as the "Wicked Witch of Girnoc" prepares to lead the unwary on the Ghouls and Ghosties Tour. With not enough broomsticks to go around spook seekers board the Community Bus kindly provided by BRD. See report on the 15th.

On the way home - Moonrise over Ballater. The Moon is partially clear of one of the local hills and is tonight an orange colour - last night it looked pink.

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Saturday morning and children indulge in "Potted Sports". Organiser Judith explains the format and rules. Parents/Scorers listen for instructions. Lots of teams compete at different courses. On the home stretch. Prizes awarded.

Saturday Afternoon and Sheena reads to the first arrivals at the Story Telling at The Old Royal Station. Actions speak louder...? as later the children act out a poem.

The Coolest place to be? For all of us who had trainsets this is of course enjoyed by parents, children and railway workers alike. With continuing high temperatures at 30C+ Graham's Model Train Exhibition in the Air Conditioned Old Royal Station proves popular. Queen Victoria's Waiting Room at Ballater Old Royal Station.

Evening Concert / Variety Show. The Good Old Days to Nowadays annual concert provides lots of different entertainments in one show, from Music to Magic, Humour to Poetry, Weightlifting to Joking, Dance and Comedy and lots more this very popular show does it all using entirely local talent. Here are just three of the many in the first 20 minutes of a 2 hour show. You didn't think we were going to show you the whole event did you?

Lulu recites poetry in the local dialect - the Doric. Ian the M.C. provides jokes and introductions to the many acts. Rosemary (Good Old Days Director) and Oboe accompanist play.

This sequence shows magician Peter Nichol enlisting help from the audience for "Magic Gardening".

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Sunday evening has Hilltop Safari and Ghouls and Ghosties (G&G covered 8th and 15th) excursions covered in previous days so space today is given over to coverage of the Grand Parade of Floats and Old Vehicles on Sunday afternoon.

Victorian era Dress for the Parade. Craigendarroch Hill is reflected in the stained glass window above the door of this house with an Indian perhaps Victorian British Empire era name. One of Queen Victoria's titles was Empress of India.

An old Ballater bus roars down Bridge Street. Vintage tractors and cars..the Butcher's old delivery van. The Fire Brigade add sirens and flashing lights. Some smaller engines on show obviously kept in good condition.

Ballater and District Pipe Band lead the Parade of Floats Junior viewers welcome! Normally this lot seem quite respectable! A lot of effort is made. Soldiers from the Royal Guard join in.
No comment! ...or you could Say it with Music

Entrants wait for the judging of the best float ...while vintage vehicles go on show including a 1932 white Rolls Royce. The large crowd take a closer look at the vehicles and floats.

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Monday morning and Part 2 of Funky Futtrets and Coronation Creations gets under way in the Albert Hall with children gathered round to receive instruction. Fifty years since the Coronation today's mission is to replicate HM The Queen's Crown. Sorry Ma'am we don't think it's forgery - we just thought the old one would be getting a bit worn out by now? We'll be returning to see the "product" later.

In the shade outside the Old Royal Station two Ballater Ladies find that on a hot day sometimes only an ice cream will do.

Meanwhile over at Monaltrie Park the Ballater Highland Games (Thurs 14) arena is beginning to be set out and, watched by local children, the funfair starts to set up.

Back at the Albert Hall the Children have done a great job on the Crowns. The work will be displayed in the Box Office and judged at the Fair on Sunday afternoon (17th).

Monday night starts in the Albert Halls with the City of Roses Chorus Concert - a band of ladies singing acappella in a Barbershop style.

Over in the Victoria Hall Scottish Country Dancing (sometimes known locally and humourously as "Cross Country Dancing") is being taught by Jess. Music supplied by Rob McCombie.

Brief video clip (3 Mb) of Scottish Country Dancing. Requires Apple Quick Time. Download Quick Time.

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Tuesday morning and Walkers board the Community Bus for transport to Dinnet for a Guided Walk back to Ballater. A Countryside Ranger leads the walk and talks about the area's features, flora and fauna.

The Afternoon sees a Craft Workshop and Mad Hatters Tea Party for 5-8 year olds. Supervised by Anne and Susan the Event is on the theme of Alice in Wonderland. Hard at work. Finally a group shot featuring lots of rabbit ears and hats made by the children as Anne prepares to read a piece of Alice in Wonderland.

This evening has Hilltop Safari and Ghouls and Ghosties Tours already covered above. Very popular - demand is such that they are run several times during Victoria Week.

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A busy day...

Scotland is the home of Golf so it is appropriate that at Try Golf on Wednesday morning there are many interested children. The Ballater Golf Club Pro assisted by Andrew gives instruction. Rapt expressions as they have a go. Oops!

In the afternoon another Storytelling led by Joan and Sabine - this time in the open air.

A view along Victoria Road - the mountain Lochnagar (rear) and the Coyles of Muick (forested) loom above
Ballater.

The Royal Guard demonstrate some of their kit and dress. Recent Postings.
Joining in - kindly entertaining the children with an Activity Course.

And now for something completely different - Duck Herding on the Green! It seems that teaching sheepdogs to herd ducks initially makes it easier to herd sheep later. Waiting to be herded . Ian "Smokey" Grey explains the dog training and guides the dogs. Keen to get started. The game is on.

Mid afternoon (5-8 y.o.) and early evening (9-12 y.o.) Street Jam Dance Workshop get the children going with music and the teaching of dance routines.

Brief video clip (1.9 Mb) of Street Jam Dancing. Requires Apple Quick Time. Download Quick Time.

A Tea Dance. Having fun at an old fashioned dance in the afternoon. M.C. Alec teaches and supervises.

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The biggest event of the week. Drawing 5000+ people. Today's coverage is entirely given over to the Highland Games and associated events. The Evening Concert features traditional Scottish Music played with fiddles and accordians, The Dance and Disco carry on into tomorrow morning. Pipers and the Pipe Band play around the village for most of the evening enjoying the delights of various hostelries. Not a quiet day or night in Ballater!

Photographs today show events at the Highland Games and Funfair.

Throwing the Stone It's on it's way

Stalls - Local Clan Farquharson on display A large crowd

The Pipe Band entertain while athletes run

The Caber - when it's thrown has to go over. Getting the weight. It's in the air.

Dressed for the day. The Hill Race (record approx 16 Minutes) This man has just won the Race. He has run from the Park to the top of this hill (Craig Coillich 200m high) and back in approx 17 minutes - no wonder he's reaching for the water!

Two Games Officials are entrusted with the sacks for the children's sack race

Dancers compete while kilted men wait their turn at the heavy events.

The Patron's Enclosure and Games Flag Pipe Band and resting athletes

Monaltrie Park below the backdrop of Craigendarroch Hill (Hill of Oaks)

Dance Competitors take their turn. Down in the crowd

A charitable organisation raises money An old Austin Seven car makes an appearance.

Tip The Bucket. The pole must go through the hole in the board below the bucket otherwise there's a soaking!

The Games Motorised Division!

The Funfair keeps the younger and some of the older visitors amused.

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Friday morning. Today's Countryside Ranger Guided Walk is round the "Seven Bridges Walk" crossing seven bridges on the way including the River Dee at Polhollick.

The afternoon Puppet Show for children and others? The show starts with Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Who's been eating my porridge? Goldilocks of course! While the bears are out Goldilocks eats their porridge. Audience participation.

Hilltop Safari covered above.

Evening in the Albert Hall. Bringing back the elegance of Old Vienna the Viennese Evening is a good excuse for dressing up and dancing.

A study in elegance. The Orchestra play up a storm. Guests enjoy the evening - some more mysterious than others! Waltzing the night away.

Coming back from Old Vienna - Turneresque skies above Ballater as the sun goes down towards the Cairngorms. Twenty minutes later.

Afterdark - Ghouls and Ghosties. A tour of sites associated with local Ghost Stories mainly dealing with Ghosts, Witches and frankly rather bloody events. Thankfully however we are fortified by bonfires and whisky on the way.
Our Guide Sheila (The Wicked Witch of Girnoc) and friend. First stop the Royal Bridge over the Dee at Ballater for one of several ghost stories. Deep in Glen Girnoc round a bonfire watching out for spectral occurences.
A ghostly apparition. Hazily Passing through walls.
At the Sign of the Crossed Sword and Broomstick and after a tale of love lost through beheading,
- a happy ending!

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Races, Welly and Hammer Throwing and Tug of War are the order of the day at the Children's Highland Games in the Afternoon. A Piper welcomes the crowd. Organiser Scott (kilted) briefs his helpers. The younger boys on the charge. No farther in the younger girls race. With Former victorious Scotland Rugby Captain Gavin Hastings (furthest right) looking on boys make for the line. Leading the pack. Older boys thunder down the Green. Scott prepares for the Welly (Wellington Boot) Throwing Competition. Out with the measuring tape - a serious business! Risking life and limb the photographer avoids "Death by Welly" to get this shot! Not Bad!

Before entering the Slow Cycle Race two boys show their skill. Robert explains the Race that the slowest wins. The Primary School age entrants set off. High School age children compete. The Winners receiving prizes from Race Organiser Robert Reid of "Wheelin' Around" Cycle Hire.

A Scrabble Competition in the Albert Hall clearly requires deep concentration.

Although not officially a part of Victoria Week, in the Victoria Hall, the Ballater Royal Horticultural Society Annual Show takes place this weekend.

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The last day of Victoria Week 2003 (phew!) Ferret Races (Futtrets locally) are our finale for this year.

With more besides, as you will see, the event presents a light hearted finish.

A suitably atired Alistair distributes the programme of events.

Victorian Dress. One of many stalls - this one for hair braiding.

Prizewinning artwork for Funky Futtrets and Coronation Creations as reported on Thurs 7 and Mon 11

A well known local personality.

"Short back and polish? Tall people welcome.

The Main Event!

Happy entrants. The Tote - The money goes down, who's going to win?

It's easier to see if you're this tall.

The track is ready Racers get ready The winner! A kiss for the winner

Balloons supplied.

Horror struck with the risks of the Ferret down the Trousers Race - getting ready. They're off! We have a winner.