Fire-hit Ballater station repairs to get £100,000 grant

The Old Royal Station in Ballater was destroyed

The redevelopment of a historic railway station in Royal Deeside, which was destroyed in a fire, has been awarded a grant of more than £100,000 by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

The Old Royal Station in Ballater was ravaged by the blaze in May 2015.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) gave the go-ahead for the reinstatement.

HES is to award £107,500 to help repair the historic royal waiting room as part of its Building Repair Grants scheme.

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

Thomas Knowles, head of grants at HES, said, "We're pleased to support Aberdeenshire Council in their project to repair and restore the royal waiting room in the former Ballater railway station.

The old station used to be the final stopping point for members of the Royal Family heading to Balmoral

"The money will allow them to repair the interior, which helps bring the building to life for visitors and creates work for local craftspeople.

"We're looking forward to seeing the newly-refurbished building when it reopens."

Moira Ingleby, chairwoman of the Marr area committee, said: "This is great news, the royal waiting room is a significant part of the overall project and the grant money from Historic Environment Scotland will ensure that the restoration is carried out in the best and most sympathetic way."