Ballater

   BALLATER, a village, in the parish of Glenmuick, Tullich, and Glengairn, district of Kincardine O'Neil, county of Aberdeen; containing 371 inhabitants. This place, situated in a beautiful valley, on the north bank of the Dee, was formed about the beginning of the present century, by the late proprietor, William Farquharson, Esq., of Monaltrie, by whose directions the site was measured for the erection of regular streets and squares, the former of which cross the main street at right angles, and the latter, with allotments of ground, have been let out in perpetual feu tenements. Besides numerous well-constructed private houses, the village contains an excellent inn, some good shops, a circulating library, and a post-office communicating daily with Aberdeen, to which place there is a daily mail-coach, together with several weekly carriers. The salubrity of the air, and the picturesque scenery of the locality, draw many visiters from Aberdeen and other parts, in the summer months; but the chief attraction is the chalybeate waters of Pananich, in the vicinity, which hold in solution carbonate of iron, lime, magnesia, &c., and are considered of much efficacy in scorbutic and nephritic complaints. There are superior hot, cold, and shower baths, and many convenient lodging-houses; and in a square in the village, stands the parish church, and, at a short distance, the parochial school. Over the Dee is a good wooden bridge of four arches, erected in 1834, at a cost of upwards of £2000.