Using public transport starting from Aberdeen Bus Station, with picking up points along North Deeside Road, this day will be spent visiting the real ale outlets in Ballater and Braemar. The route and schedule is driven by the pub opening times and bus timetable. As a comprehensive visit to all real ale outlets on the route will take all day, some “escape plans” are provided for those who do not wish to attempt the full route,
Saturday 23rd August
- Bus #201 at 09:15 from Aberdeen Union Square arrives Ballater 10:55, pubs open at 11. It is possible to join this bus from numerous stops en-route, but beware the bus can get busy.
- NB: The “Celebrate Aberdeen” parade will close Union Street. The bus will depart as scheduled but will be diverting via Willowbank to avoid Union Street. Anyone planning to join on Union Street should go to Union Square bus station instead. Anyone planning to join beyond Holburn Street *should* be unaffected.
Ballater
- Drink in Ballater at 4 different real-ale pubs, Alexandra, Balmoral Arms, Barrel Inn and Balmoral Bar.
- The onward bus to Braemar from Ballater is every 2 hours. The 13:00 bus to Braemar arrives 13:27, and the 15:00 bus arrives at 15:27.
- However the Invercauld Mews in Braemar has variable opening hours. A decision on which bus we get will depend on actual opening hours.
- We have a tentative invitation to visit Dave at Braemar Brewery at about 4pm.
- Escape Route #1: get bus back to Aberdeen from Ballater hourly at 10 past the hour.
Braemar
- Drink in Braemar at the Invercauld Mews and Fife Arms (drawing lots to see who’s round it is in the Fife Arms)
- 17:35 bus from Braemar to Aboyne arrives 18:29
- Escape Route #2: stay on bus back to Aberdeen by 19:51 (bladder permitting)
Aboyne
- Drink and eat at the Boat Inn
- 20:19 bus from Aboyne arrives back Aberdeen 21:38
Aberdeen
- Use the loos at Aberdeen Bus Station. No further planned activities.