| Braemar's distinctive weather
claim is that on two occasions it was the coldest village in
Scotland, having twice recorded the lowest temperature -27.2c
(-17 F). Braemar has also one of the longest 'continuous' sets
of recorded weather data in Scotland, recording starting here
nearly 150 years ago. The original observatory, consisting mostly
of a large-louvred wooden erection was donated by Prince Albert
in 1855. It is still standing though no longer used for weather
recording. The current weather station is only feet away from
the original.
Mr Aitken - a bank agent - was appointed the first observer.
He kept up the observations for more than 50 years. On completing
half a century of observations in 1905, he received a letter
of thanks and appreciation from King Edward VII. Soon afterwards,
Mr Aitken retired from active work and the thermometers were
transferred to Balmoral. In 1911 a local committee raised
the funds for the re-opening of the climatological station.
The records at the station were traditionally kept by the
Manager or 'Agent' of the Union Bank (now the Bank of
Scotland) just a few yards across the main road. The tradition
was continued through to 1980 when James Donaldson retired
after being recorder for 22 years. Ricky Graham, headmaster of
Braemar School, was the 'weatherman' for the next 19 years and
recorded the record low temperature on 10th January 1982. (The
same temperature had previously been recorded on 11th February
1895.) As
at other stations the weather observer recorded the weather
conditions and noted various air and soil temperatures, plus
rainfall and amount of sunshine.
A sunshine recorder was until recently
set up in the top of the tower of
St. Margaret's Church. Although this tower is easily
the most suitable spot for the sunshine recorder, the length
of the Braemar 'day' is affected by shadow from the surrounding
hills. Indeed, in mid-winter the maximum daily sunshine is
no more than about 3.5 hours!
The Braemar Weather Station was moved in
June 2005 along with the sushine recorder to a site adjacent to
the emergency helicopter landing pad. The new site is fully
automated and is known to the Met. Office as Braemar 2. It is
regarded as one of their prime sites and its relocation has
provided more accurate measurements .
Typically in July the day time temperature rises to 17.6c
and the night time temperature falls to 8.5c. In January typical
high and low temperatures are 3.7c and -2.3c. Because of the
hills protecting Braemar, the rainfall is not as great as
might be expected averaging 890mm (35in) annually with the
winter months being somewhat wetter than the summer months.
Of course, in winter some of the precipitation comes in the
form of snow which can be expected in the village anytime
between November and April. The ski slopes at the Lecht and
Glenshee, being somewhat higher than Braemar, can usually
offer skiing from mid-January through to mid-March although
the length and quality of the ski seasons vary markedly from
year to year.
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Winter's Day
Reading the weather
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