Establishment 2023

Ballater had a call sign of 90 in Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, this was changed to R38, the new National Call Sign, when the Control at Mounthooly closed on 8/11/2016.

What is now the Ballater Hostel used to house the carts and the Clachen Grill resturant opposite were the stables. (Owner Ballater Hostel 27/6/2023)

New £6700 Fire Station Opens 

<PHOTO> Councillor J. Collins, Aberdeen, chairman of the North East Counties Fire Board, inspecting Ballater firemen after the opening of their new station yesterday. With him are Deputy Firemaster W. H. Woods and Section Leader G. Fraser, who is in charge of the Ballater Brigade.
The North Eastern Fire Area Joint Board’s policy of building new fire stations to replace existing unsuitable fire service accommodation was carried a stage further yesterday with the opening of a new permanent station at Ballater.
The new Ballater headquarters have been erected in Brackley Road, at a cost of about £6700.
Councillor J. Collins, Aberdeen, chairman of the Board, who performed the opening ceremony, announced that the Board hoped to erect several other stations at places throughout their area to replace unsatisfactory premises.
There were about twenty such places and instructions had already been given to the Board’s architects and the firemaster to inquire into the possibility of acquiring suitable sites at Dufftown, Lossiemouth, Huntly and Portsoy.

Up to date

A plan illustrating proposals for the building of stations at these places had been approved by the Board and by the Scottish Home Department.
Ballater’s imposing new fire station – a model of Home Department standards – is designed to accommodate two major pump appliances and contains an office, a recreation room, an equipment store and a hose store. There is also a wash bed and a drill yard.
(Press and Journal Friday, July 31, 1953. Page 6)

Chain of Modern Fire Stations Planned 

Opening Ballater’s new fire station, Councillor J. Collins, Aberdeen, chairman of the North Eastern Fire Area Joint Board, outlined the plans for the establishment of about 20 modern fire stations in the north-east of Scotland.
Councillor Collins said that plans for fire stations in the Dufftown, Lossiemouth, Huntly and Portsoy areas had already been approved by the board and the Scottish Home Department and building sites were being sought in those areas.
It was the board’s policy to modernise their organisation in every way within their financial limitations, and it would be their aim to make the new stations as comfortable as possible for those who would occupy them.
(The Northern Scot & Moray and Nairn Express, Saturday, August 1, 1953. Page 4)
(Opened Thursday 30/7/1953)

Long service awards at Ballater Fire Station 

Ballater Fire Station’s longest serving firemen were honoured in the Glenaden Hotel on Saturday night when Firemaster Neil Morrison, Aberdeen, presented them with medals to mark loyal and dedicated service over the years.
Station Officer David McRae, 6 Hawthorn Crescent, Ballater, has been twenty years with the local fire station. He was a fireman for ten years before being appointed the leading fireman.
Last year he was made Sub Officer and just four months ago he was named as the new Station Officer.
Mr McRae is a milk delivery man for Kennerty Dairies.
His service at Ballater is only exceeded by that of Mr Norman Nicol, a wood contractor from Queen’s Road, Ballater. He was presented with a long service medal for 22 years.
Mr Nicol was appointed leading fireman last September.
Ballater Fire Station has two units and a company strength of eighteen firemen.
(Deeside Piper, Friday, February 28, 1986. Page 7)

Station was Officially Re-opened 19/4/1999 after refurbishment. New lecture room added at rear.

5/7/2000 they received a 10 man Dennis appliance for a year's trial.

If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.

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