Ballater Duck Festival 2025
Next year’s festival takes place on Sunday 1st June 2025 from 11am.
From 11am there will be stalls, local food producers and activities for children.
At 3pm, 12 giant ducks will be launched upstream and will ‘race’ down the River Dee to the bridge; the first duck under the bridge will be declared the winner.
Odds depend on the number of tickets sold for each duck and are calculated immediately before the duck race starts at 3pm (when Tote closes). Each duck has an equal chance of winning.
You must be over 16 to purchase a ticket.
Tote will re-open at 3.30pm for an hour to pay punters holding tickets for the winning duck number (tickets must be presented).
Duck racing traces its origins back to the early 20th century and has evolved into a beloved tradition in various parts of the world. Originating in rural areas where ducks were common farm animals, duck racing quickly gained popularity as a form of entertainment during agricultural fairs and festivals. Winning Ducks were greatly prized and exchanged for high fees.
The first duck race in Ballater, until then more famous for its Futtret racing, was held in the 1990s the race grew so out of control the army was called in to stop the Ducks. Since 2010 there has been some form of duck racing in different forms culminating in this spectacle of 12 8ft Chinese fighting ducks racing for your honour. That must worth a Punt.....
The 2024 Ducks
History of the Festival
Storm Frank was a real dark period for Ballater and its residents; however, one positive was the creation of the Duck Festival in 2016. The concept of inflatable ducks came from Ade Scripps as the Duck Race had always been part of Ballater Victoria Week and still is. The initial team was made up of members from: Ballater Victoria Week, Ballater Masonic Lodge, Aboyne & Upper Deeside Rotary Club and Ballater Community Trust.
The event is envisaged to be on the first Sunday of June, but since its conception we have needed to change due to external factors. It was always intended as a Fun Day for the residents with music, food, retail, a Totalizer opportunity for all to be part of along with fairground rides culminating in the race of inflatable ducks from the Caravan Park to the Royal Bridge. However, low rainfall instigated a rule that after fifteen minutes the duck nearest to the Royal Bridge would be declared winner.
Many organisations have become part of the project over time, with pride of place being Granite Adventures, without whom, the event would not be possible. Other major stalwarts are; Ballater Charitable Chiels, Ballater Pipe Band and Ballater Men’s Probus Club along with a swathe of individuals who step up and support on the day.
The committee for 2025 is still to be finalised but the 2024 team of Neil Henderson, Susan & John Rutherford, Ade Scripps and John Burrows will form the nucleus. As mentioned earlier organisations with hands on are all involved with the exception of Aboyne & Upper Deeside Rotary Club.
The Quacker Quaich is an important part of the event and was donated by St. Nathalan of Tullich & Mar (#259) Masonic Lodge. It forms part of the one of the three main revenue sections of the day as each inflatable duck is sponsored by hoteliers, retailers, Estates, solicitors and support services. The winning sponsor is identified on the Quaich and retains it up until May of the following year to display. After 2018 a rule was introduced that required the winning sponsor to withdraw from competing the following year.
Previous winning sponsors:
2016 Crathie & Co
2017 & 2018 Alexandra Hotel
2019 Fraser & Mulligan
2020 & 2021 COVID – no event undertaken
2022 Deeside Deli
2023 Shortys’ Ice Cream Parlour
2024 Orca Artesian Cafe
Needless to say the Quaich is presented to the winning sponsor along with a bottle of Lochnagar whisky, kindly donated by our local distillery as part of their support of the Festival.
No festival in the Highlands would be complete if it did not have a Pipe Band and we are proud to have The Ballater pipe Band to parade the winning duck from the river to the Greens for the closing presentation.
The stallholders bring the greens alive for the visitor from 10am in the morning until late afternoon with crafts of all types as well as local delicacies to eat and drink along with toys for both children and pets.
The Totalizer or Tote is the third and final financial sector and offers everyone a little flutter on the race and runs from late morning up to 15 minutes before the start of the Duck Race at 3 pm. The odds are calculated on the Totalizer mechanism that offers the lowest supported duck to offer the highest odds. Needless to say children may finally benefit but their responsible adult is the party placing the money.
To be part of the event, please contact Gillian Sinclair info@royal-deeside.org.uk stating: Volunteer, Sponsor or Stallholder.