Ballater Station options considered after fire

The Old Royal Station in Ballater was hit by a fire in May

The future of a historic railway station in Deeside is to be considered by councillors after it was badly damaged by fire.

The Old Royal Station in Ballater was ravaged in a blaze in May.

A report assesses options for securing the remaining structure, with officers recommending that areas destroyed by the fire be cleared.

The only areas to be retained would be the waiting room and visitor centre.

At a meeting next week, Marr area committee councillors will also discuss the costs associated with clearing the site.

The old station had been the final stopping point for members of the Royal family heading to Balmoral.

Firefighters managed to save a replica of a Royal carriage which had taken Queen Victoria to Scotland in 1869.

It had been hand-crafted to match the original design after being commissioned by VisitScotland at the suggestion of Prince Charles.