Laggan Cottage: Artistic Nature Retreat Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 5.00 - Revenue
- £92,386
- Occupancy
- 31.4%
- Daily rate
- £1,155
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to October 2026
The average Airbnb in Ballater brought in £27,221 over the 12 months through October 2026, about 6% less than the Scotland average of £28,841.
The short answer
Rates are in line with the Scotland average, but bookings trail it. Listings averaged £211 a night and were booked on 46% of available nights, against £205 and 49% for the Scotland average.
Timing matters: in July, usually the best month, the average listing earns about three times as much as in February, usually the slowest.
With 62 active listings, Ballater is the 61st-largest of 330 Scotland markets AirROI tracks. From a year earlier, average revenue rose 12%.
Browse the live Ballater Airbnb market See Every Ballater ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Ballater listing averaged £27,221 over the 12 months to October 2026 (Scotland average: £28,841), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
In a typical year, the average Ballater listing brings in £4,190 in July, its best month, and £1,440 in February, its slowest. August runs within 3% of July, so either can come out on top in a given year. The three strongest months bring in 36% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 2.1 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
July earns about three times what February does
Average revenue per active listing, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, £2,750. Each point is one month as recorded, averaged over the listings active in it. The best and slowest months in the text average each calendar month over the past two years, so they can differ from the highest and lowest points here.
Latest 12 months in the October 2026 data. October's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to September.
July 2026 led on revenue and nightly rate; bookings peaked in August 2026.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | £2,808 | 49.7% | £206 | £91 | 110 days | 4.6 nights |
| Nov 2025 | £1,937 | 32.2% | £197 | £65 | 73 days | 3.8 nights |
| Dec 2025 | £1,951 | 31.3% | £202 | £63 | 113 days | 4 nights |
| Jan 2026 | £2,274 | 39.5% | £195 | £73 | 85 days | 6.4 nights |
| Feb 2026 | £1,579 | 33.7% | £195 | £56 | 55 days | 4.8 nights |
| Mar 2026 | £1,499 | 28.9% | £202 | £48 | 55 days | 4.1 nights |
| Apr 2026 | £2,467 | 43.4% | £216 | £82 | 95 days | 5.3 nights |
| May 2026 | £3,607 | 59.9% | £216 | £116 | 127 days | 4.3 nights |
| Jun 2026 | £3,800 | 64.7% | £225 | £127 | 126 days | 5 nights |
| Jul 2026 | £4,744 | 68.0% | £228 | £153 | 117 days | 3.9 nights |
| Aug 2026 | £4,393 | 68.1% | £227 | £142 | 157 days | 5.8 nights |
| Sep 2026 | £3,180 | 57.9% | £227 | £106 | 127 days | 3.2 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
These are market-wide figures. To see what one particular Ballater home could earn, enter its address, bedrooms and guests in the short-term rental calculator; it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Ballater Airbnb took in £27,221 in the 12 months to October 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about £1,490 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money. A listing in the top quarter leaves about £2,070 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the £2,140 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about £1,670 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about £1,280 a month.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any building or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | £25,081 | £34,570 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay8% of Ballater bookings | £2,140 | £2,950 |
| Gross bookings | £27,221 | £37,520 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 15%: 15.5% for the 95% of Ballater listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −£4,050 | −£5,590 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; £0 if you clean yourself | −£2,140 | −£2,950 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −£1,360 | −£1,880 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −£540 | −£750 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −£820 | −£1,130 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −£270 | −£270 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −£140 | −£140 |
| Management£0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | £0 | £0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | £0 | £0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | £0 | £0 |
| Total running costsAbout 26% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −£9,320 | −£12,710 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | £17,901about £1,490 a month | £24,810about £2,070 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Ballater's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Ballater home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb profit calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about £3,130 a month, against £2,270 for the average one.
Occupancy
Ballater listings were booked on 46% of the nights they were open over the past year, 3 percentage points below the Scotland average (49%) and 5 points above the U.K. average (41%). In a typical year, occupancy swings from 32% in November to 68% in August.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 2.8 times as often as the bottom quarter.
August is usually the busiest month in Ballater, November the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The 12-month rate of 46% averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Ballater, known as ADR (average daily rate), was £211 over the past year, about the same as the Scotland average (£205) and about 8% above the U.K. average of £195. In a typical year, rates peak in July and August at about £220 and bottom out in February and November at about £190.
Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about 3.1 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
August rates run 18% above February's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, £203.
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Ballater it averaged £94 over the past year, from about £51 in a typical February to about £135 in a typical July.
Per open night, by tier:
July RevPAR is about 2.6 times February's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, £90.
Seasonality
Ballater has one high season, May through September, which makes it a highly seasonal market. Business is slowest from November to March. A listing earns about 2.2 times as much a month in June through August as in December through February.
Average revenue by month in Ballater
Average revenue per active listing, each calendar month averaged over the past two years
The dashed line is the average of the 12 calendar months, £2,750.
| Month | Season | Revenue per listing |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low season | £2,060 |
| February | Low season | £1,440 |
| March | Low season | £1,720 |
| April | Shoulder season | £2,840 |
| May | High season | £3,410 |
| June | High season | £3,560 |
| July | High season | £4,190 |
| August | High season | £4,110 |
| September | High season | £3,250 |
| October | Shoulder season | £2,670 |
| November | Low season | £1,710 |
| December | Low season | £2,000 |
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonMay–September | £3,700 | 63% | £218 |
| Shoulder seasonApril, October | £2,750 | 49% | £200 |
| Low seasonNovember–March | £1,790 | 34% | £190 |
Guests book Ballater stays 106 days ahead on average (about three and a half months), so guests here plan well ahead. August stays are booked furthest out, about 155 days ahead, and February stays closest to arrival, about 43 days. A typical August booking is made in mid-March.
August stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, October 2024 to September 2026
The 12-month figure of 106 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
56% of the 62 active listings in Ballater display a registration, permit or license number. The share shows what hosts display, not what local rules allow: it can't show whether new permits are still issued, or whether limits on nights, zones or property types apply.
Registration, permit, zoning and tourist-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the local authority before buying or listing in Ballater.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks seven Ballater neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Royal Deeside, Ballater Village Centre and Cairngorms. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Deeside | A picturesque area known for its stunning landscapes and historic castles, including Balmoral Castle. Popular among tourists seeking natural beauty and outdoor activities, making it an attractive spot for Airbnb investments. | Balmoral Castle, Loch Muick, Deeside Way, Crathie Kirk, Braemar Castle, Cairngorms National Park |
| Ballater Village Centre | The heart of Ballater, featuring quaint shops, cafes, and close access to hiking trails. Ideal for visitors looking for a cozy village atmosphere and scenic nature walks. | Ballater Railway Station, Deeside Weekend Market, Old Royal Station, Ballater Golf Club, Victoria and Albert Halls |
| Cairngorms | A famous national park offering breathtaking mountain views and an array of outdoor activities. Great for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, providing ample opportunities for hiking, skiing, and wildlife spotting. | Cairngorm Mountain, Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich, Reindeer Centre, Highland Wildlife Park |
| Aboyne | A vibrant community in the heart of Royal Deeside, known for its scenic landscapes and annual events. Attracts families and outdoor enthusiasts, providing a friendly atmosphere for visitors. | Aboyne Castle, Aboyne Golf Club, Deeside Activity Park, Loch of Aboyne, The Aboyne Highland Games |
| Tarland | A rural village offering a peaceful retreat with beautiful surroundings and a strong community spirit. Appeals to those looking for a quiet getaway with access to nature trails and local culture. | Tarland Community Gallery, Fungle Road, Tarland Village Store, The Tarland Show, Aberdeenshire Art |
| Dinnet | Ideally located near Loch Kinord and the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, it's perfect for nature lovers and those seeking outdoor activities like hiking and birdwatching. | Loch Kinord, Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve, Dinnet Village Hall, Birdwatching Opportunities, Eagle Watching |
| Ballater to Braemar Cycle Route | An attractive cycling route that offers beautiful scenery and outdoor experiences, popular among cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure in the Highlands. | Scenic Views, Mountain Biking Trails, Cairngorms National Park Access, Visitor Centres, Local Wildlife |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 85% of listings in Ballater, alongside 9 private-room listings (15%). Houses are the most common property type at 56%, about 2.5 times the share of apartments and condos (23%).
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Ballater Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 85.5% | 53 |
| Private room | 14.5% | 9 |
Listings by property type
Ballater Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| House | 56.5% | 35 |
| Apartment/Condo | 22.6% | 14 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 16.1% | 10 |
| Cabin/Outdoor | 3.2% | 2 |
| Unique stay | 1.6% | 1 |
Two-bedroom homes are the most common size in Ballater (38% of entire homes), and 36% have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 53 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Ballater entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes with a bedroom count | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1.9% | 1 |
| 1 bedroom | 24.5% | 13 |
| 2 bedrooms | 37.7% | 20 |
| 3 bedrooms | 24.5% | 13 |
| 4 bedrooms | 7.5% | 4 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 3.8% | 2 |
A typical one-bedroom home in Ballater earned £21,100 over the past year, against £37,800 for a three-bedroom home.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 13 | £21,100 | £19,000 | £159 | 43% |
| 2 bedrooms | 20 | £27,500 | £27,900 | £204 | 50% |
| 3 bedrooms | 13 | £37,800 | £36,000 | £271 | 51% |
Most Ballater listings are sized for couples and small families: 61% sleep four guests or fewer, and just 11% take eight or more. Shares are of the 54 listings with a guest capacity on file (87% of the market).
Ballater listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file
| Guest capacity | Share of listings with a capacity on file | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | 24.1% | 13 |
| 4 guests | 37.0% | 20 |
| 5 guests | 3.7% | 2 |
| 6 guests | 20.4% | 11 |
| 7 guests | 3.7% | 2 |
| 8+ guests | 11.1% | 6 |
Ballater hosts set up an average of 2.8 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. About a third of listings (34%) show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Fireplaces are common in Ballater: 48% of listings have one, and 84% offer free parking on site.
Share of Ballater listings with each common amenity
Guests
Ballater splits its demand between home and abroad: 38% of guests who left reviews live outside the United Kingdom, led by visitors from the United States and France. Guests speak a mix of languages: English leads at 57%, followed by French and German.
62% of Ballater guests are domestic
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Ballater guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 5.9% |
| London | 4.5% |
| Aberdeen | 3.6% |
Where Ballater guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 61.7% |
| United States | 10.2% |
| France | 6.4% |
| Germany | 5.3% |
| Australia | 3.1% |
Languages spoken by Ballater guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 57.1% |
| French | 14.9% |
| German | 7.5% |
| Spanish | 4.5% |
| Italian | 4.1% |
Ballater Airbnbs average 4.89 stars, and 63% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and value for money is the lowest, at 4.83.
Location scores highest in Ballater; value is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.92 |
| Cleanliness | 4.89 |
| Communication | 4.92 |
| Location | 4.97 |
| Check-in | 4.93 |
| Value | 4.83 |
Booking patterns
Nearly two-thirds of Ballater listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, and 35% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 91 to 180 days a year, covering 40% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Ballater listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 27.4% | 17 |
| 181-270 days | 37.1% | 23 |
| 91-180 days | 32.3% | 20 |
| 31-90 days | 3.2% | 2 |
Days a year Ballater listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 4.8% | 3 |
| 181-270 days | 30.6% | 19 |
| 91-180 days | 40.3% | 25 |
| 31-90 days | 14.5% | 9 |
| 1-30 days | 9.7% | 6 |
The average Ballater booking lasts 4.7 nights, longest in January and shortest in November. Listings took about 30 bookings each over the year, some 1,860 in all. More than six in ten listings that give a check-in time set it at 4 p.m., with check-out usually at 10 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Ballater
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Two-year average by calendar month.
37% of listings in Ballater accept stays of one or two nights; the most common minimum is three nights.
Minimum stay set by Ballater listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Firm is the most common cancellation policy in Ballater, used by 40% of listings; it refunds guests in full only if they cancel at least 30 days before check-in. Hosts here lean strict: about two-thirds of listings use Firm or stricter terms, against 31% on Flexible or Moderate.
Cancellation policies of Ballater listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
56% of Ballater listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is £59, and some higher fees lift the average to £117. Spread over the average stay of 4.7 nights, that adds roughly £12 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 8% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Ballater, a three-bedroom home, took in £92,400 over the past year, about 3.4 times the city's average of £27,200.
Laggan Cottage: Artistic Nature Retreat Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Luxury home in the heart of Ballater Royal Deeside Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.95
Birkelunn Log Cabin, Ballater, Balmoral, Aboyne Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Dormie Cottage, spacious bungalow with log fire! Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.80
Ballater Bungalow - 4 bed - Beautiful Garden Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Inverenzie Cottage, Rooms with a view! Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 5.00 Only 11% of Ballater listings are classed as professionally managed. Superhosts run 53% of listings. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 95% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 48 km, Nethy Bridge (44 km away, 49 listings) earned the most per listing, about 43% more than Ballater.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braemar 23 km | 32 | £28,238 | £254 | 48% |
| Tomintoul 30 km | 35 | £15,288 | £153 | 34% |
| Aberdeenshire 43 km | 138 | £19,186 | £191 | 41% |
| Nethy Bridge 44 km | 49 | £38,945 | £215 | 51% |
| Dufftown 44 km | 30 | £23,882 | £200 | 45% |
| Grantown-on-Spey 46 km | 53 | £20,399 | £192 | 46% |
| Alyth 48 km | 42 | £27,067 | £215 | 39% |
| Boat of Garten 48 km | 47 | £23,080 | £164 | 46% |
See all 330 Scotland Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in the United Kingdom with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Ballater:
FAQ
An active Ballater Airbnb grossed £27,221 on average in the 12 months to October 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 62 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in £3,370 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Ballater listings earn between £1,580 and £3,370 in a typical month, and the top tenth £5,440 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb income calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Ballater were booked on 46% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 49% for the Scotland average. August is usually the busiest month.
The average booked night in Ballater cost £211 before fees. Half of listings charge between £125 and £220, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
In Ballater, 56% of active listings display a registration, permit or license number. The share shows what hosts display, not what the rules allow, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Ballater Airbnb grossed £27,221 in the 12 months to October 2026, 6% below the Scotland average of £28,841. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, £17,901 a year (about £1,490 a month) is left before the mortgage or rent. A home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit, and a listing at the top-quarter mark leaves about £2,070 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb calculator.
July usually pays best, averaging £4,190 per active listing over the past two years, and February usually pays least. The month-by-month table above shows how the latest 12 months played out.
Each night a Ballater listing was open to book earned £94 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made £151 or more.
Ballater stays were booked 106 days (about three and a half months) before arrival on average over the past year, so a listing that opens its calendar late misses many bookings.
The average Ballater Airbnb stay lasted 4.7 nights over the past year. A listing took 30 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Ballater Airbnbs 4.89 out of 5 on average. Guests score location highest and value lowest.
Royal Deeside, Ballater Village Centre and Cairngorms draw the most short-term rental interest in Ballater. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 62 active Airbnb listings in Ballater as of October 2026. The closest tracked market is Braemar, 23 km away.
In Ballater, 56% of listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is £59, and some higher fees lift the average to £117.
All of Scotland had 15,191,000 overnight visitors in 2024, VisitScotland reports. AirROI estimates 1,856 Airbnb stays in Ballater, UK in the 12 months to October 2026, which counts bookings and not tourists. See Scotland tourism statistics.
Method
Figures on this page cover 62 active Airbnb listings in Ballater from November 2025 to October 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. AirROI measures bookings in US dollars; this page shows them in British pounds at £0.74 per US$, the typical rate from November 2025 to October 2026. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.