Ballater Duck Racing 2024
This year’s festival takes place on Sunday 2nd June 2024.
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.....
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).
The 2024 Ducks
Duck #1 BARREL BOMBER
Pleased to advise that Mike & Hillary came up to Ballater and found in their back garden two of the ducks who had been on a training flight in Ballater, namely #1 BARREL BOMBER returning again under last years trainer Neil Henderson, who tells me this is going to be HIS YEAR, Neil can often be found living his dream as our well known proprietor of The Barrel hostellry.
Duck #2 ARTY DUCK
We have a new entry in 2024, namely #2 ARTY DUCK, which has been raised and trained in secret by David Reid in both river craft and it is said paints a mean water colour, but you would expect little less from the quality regularly on show by David at Ballater Gallery.
Duck # 3 THE DRUNKEN DUCK
Lets be clear the arrival of The Drunken Duck and the photograph was taken AFTER what looked like a rather heavy celebration session with #3 being last duck standing! John Patterson, being the respectable landlord of The Balmoral Bar rightly advises that the photograph of Corran had been taken at a time when no apparent alcohol was being consumed, so please note neither he nor the Festival condone excessive drinking. “The Drunken Duck” has been tested and it was neither drugs nor alcohol but simply the heady waters of the Dee – so be warned paddle in the Dee when safe to do so but ducking not recommended!
Duck # 4 WADDLE
It can be seen that this photograph is an image of Waddles dream sequence training that had been discussed on Invercauld Estate as part of Angas Mc Nicols determination to take the QUACK QUAICH in 2024. He has stated that as being involved in the Festival from the start and simply turning up on the day was not sufficient as intensive training both physicaly and psycologicaly are involved. Stamina, as found lacking in 2023, is important and the mental determination can overcome the lack of puff. Waddle infers a laid back approach but yet again this is Angus being canny and giving the other ducks the impression that they are relaxed about the event! So keep your eyes peeled as could 2024 be Angus’s year?
Duck # 5 DUCK NORRIS (DN)
Johnston Oils, who have been sponsors since the start of the Festival have now gone for both a recharged bird and come up with an unusual name. Scott Logan advises that this bird is slick and can overcome obstacles (2023 lesson learnt), so will DN slide through the water or possibly over it and tank into the lead on the final few yards. Obviously he has been talking to the drivers who deliver the kerosene as they have been known to get through in the most hazardous conditions even when snow and dare one say bridge closures in Aboyne try to frustrate them. Photographed with Claire.
Duck # 6 THE ROTHESAY EGGSPRESS
The Rothesay Rooms are new sponsors for 2024 and have been cooking up a real surprise under the Baxter Storey Brand, the sightings have so far been nil and I have to confess that the scenery in the picture is a fake as Jo would only send me the picture of the beast without any surroundings, so we superimposed Lexi and background. Obviously as we all know ducks come from eggs and when asked on the name and association to the bird, Jo pointed out that it was a natural clutch, with no artificial additions just like the delights one gets at their restaurant but well nurtured and fed on only natural produce. The freedom experienced on the Estate and the great care given by their staff have produced what they believe will be the 2024 WINNER. Photographed with Lexi.
Duck # 7 WILKIE
Wilkies, another new Sponsor in 2024 have been cooking up an interesting duck and named WILKIE after the store. The training has taken in many corners of the UK, taking in SEASALT from Cornwall and using Weird Fish to enhance its ability to manage all forms of water, one hopes the bird will be as happy on our River as it seems to be on the sea. Monika from Wilkies has explained that whilst WILKIE is aggressive on the water, young Harry in the picture is perfectly safe as on land it is as gentle as their lamb’s wool slippers!
Duck # 8 LITTLE ECK
John Sheridan from H.M. Sheridan another of our long term sponsors tells me that the young lady, who wishes to remain our mystery person is perfectly safe as Little Eck is nothing like its name but is partial to sausages and steak. The diet is one that John has prepared to enable the bird to cope with the River in either spate or drought and he tells me that it works just as well for humans. He and Barry start most days on the diet and yes I have to admit they seem to look younger each time I see them! In 2024 John & Barry are hopeful that this will be their year to lift the Quaich , along with the Lochnagar Whisky – the latter goes extremely will with their amazing Haggis, which I personally can recommend as I used to take several with me to Africa back in the early 2000’s!
Duck # 9 THE GLENMUICK GLADIATOR
The Glenmuick Estate is yet another of our long standing sponsors and their determination that 2024 will be their year to lift The Quaich. Possibly some of you will not be aware that this bird overwintered on the Derwent, a river that had media cover over the winter months and the Estate advise that with having to manage a river in full spate has ensured the Gladiator has built up the stamina to cope with the Dee in drought (2023) or under more normal conditions. So possibly a potential winner.
Duck # 10 QUACKERS ABOUT TREEHOUSE
Treehouse have again been involved with the Festival for several years and just like the store and café on Bridge Street you can see from the picture, QUACKERS is a very popular bird. It is interesting to note that this bird has self-belief in spades and able, as you can see, to control our canine visitors to the photoshoot. Will self-belief be sufficient on the day?
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 (RD) Limited (BRD).
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 Aboyne Canoe Club, 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 2024 is made up from Neil Henderson, Susan & John Rutherford, Ade Scripps and John Burrows [Mike Forbes due to illness has stepped down this year but continues to support the project]. As mentioned earlier organisations with hands on are all involved with the exception of Aboyne & Upper Deeside Rotary Club.
The Quacker Quach 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 Lt
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.
We have mentioned the Aboyne Canoe Club but 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 10 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.