Balmoral Castle
[4] It is a working estate, including grouse moors, forestry and farmland, as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle, sheep and ponies.[6] Adam Watson and Elizabeth Allan wrote in The Place Names of Upper Deeside that the second part meant "big spot (of ground)".He made major alterations to the original castle at Balmoral, including baronial-style extensions that were designed by John Smith of Aberdeen.[11] Frequent rain during the last trip led Sir James Clark, the queen's doctor, to recommend Deeside instead, for its healthier climate.In February 1848 an arrangement was made that Prince Albert would acquire the remaining part of the lease on Balmoral, together with its furniture and staff, without having seen the property first.[14] Victoria found the house "small but pretty",[15] and recorded in her diary that: "All seemed to breathe freedom and peace, and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils".[20] Space was needed for the growing family of Victoria and Albert, for additional staff, and for accommodation for visiting friends and official visitors such as cabinet members.[18] By coincidence, shortly after their arrival at the estate that autumn, news circulated about the fall of Sevastopol, ending the Crimean War, resulting in wild celebrations by royalty and locals alike.[27] Being similar in style to the demolished castle of the 1830s, the architecture of the new house is considered to be somewhat dated for its time when contrasted with the richer forms of Scots baronial being developed by William Burn and others during the 1850s.[28] Added to the work of Sir Walter Scott, this became a major factor in promoting the adoption of Highland culture by Lowland Scots.Prince Albert had an active role in these improvements, overseeing the design of parterres, the diversion of the main road north of the river via a new bridge, and plans for farm buildings.[13]: 20–21 [31] Following Albert's death, Victoria spent increasing periods at Balmoral, staying for as long as four months a year during early summer and autumn.[35] In a break with tradition, Balmoral Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, was the location of the appointment of British Prime Minister Liz Truss on 6 September 2022, due to concerns regarding the Queen's mobility issues.[39] The Queen's coffin lay in repose in the ballroom of the castle for three days, to allow the Royal Family, estate staff and neighbours to pay their respects.It was originally purchased privately by Prince Albert, for Queen Victoria, meaning that no revenues from the estate go to Parliament or the public purse, as would otherwise be the case for property owned outright by the monarch by the Civil List Act 1760.This mountain was the setting for a children's story, The Old Man of Lochnagar, told originally by Charles III to his younger brothers, Andrew and Edward.[48] The estate extends to Loch Muick in the southeast where an old boat house and the Royal Bothy (hunting lodge) now named Glas-allt-Shiel, built by Victoria, are located.[49] The working estate includes grouse moors, forestry, and farmland, as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle, and ponies.Ballochbuie Forest, one of the largest remaining areas of old Caledonian pine growth in Scotland, consists of approximately 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares).They are now open daily between April and the end of July, after which royal family members arrive at the castle for their annual stay.[57] In 2024, limited numbers of the public were able to view the interior and several rooms used by members of the royal family during a month-long summer tour programme.[59][60] In addition, the gift shop, restaurant and café were redesigned and renovated, prioritising local Scottish craftsmanship and premium textiles.[64] In the obituary of Prince Michael Andreevich of Russia in 2008, it was noted that his family spent most of World War II at Craigowan Lodge.
Union-Castle LineScots baronial revivalAberdeenshireBallaterScotlandCoordinatesCharles IIIGraniteWilliam SmithCity Architect of AberdeenQueen VictoriaPrince AlbertJohn ThomasInventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in ScotlandresidenceBritish royal familyCrathieAberdeenFarquharson familyCrown EstateElizabeth IIdied thereScottish baronial architectureHistoric Environment Scotlandcategory A listedgrouse moorsHighland cattleScottish GaelicAlexander MacBainPictishSir Robert GordonRobert IIhunting lodge1st Earl of Huntlytower houseInvereyJohn FarquharsonJacobiteJacobite risingsBattle of Falkirk (1746)forfeitedAuchendryneJames Duff, 2nd Earl FifeGeorge Gordon, 4th Earl of AberdeenJohn Smithcarte de visiteEdinburghTaymouth CastleJohn Campbell, 2nd Marquess of BreadalbaneBlair CastleArdverikie HouseLoch LagganSir James ClarkDeesideThuringiaJames GilesJames Duff, 4th Earl Fifecorrugated ironGreat Exhibition of 1851BirkhallAbergeldie CastlePurchase CairnCraigievar Castleturretedcountry houseWilliam BurnSevastopolCrimean WarFrederick of PrussiaVictoria, Princess RoyalJames CassieIsambard Kingdom BrunelCastle FraserScots baronialGermanicHighland culturehighland gamesSir Walter ScottLowland ScotsMichael LynchCharles GrevilleCharles LandseerCarl Haagconifersparterresmodel dairyWilliam TheedJohn BrownVictoria EugenieBeatriceAlfonso XIIINicholas II of RussiaAlexandraGeorge VSecond World WarPrince PhilipBuckingham PalaceBritish Prime MinisterLiz TrussElizabeth died at BalmoralJames VFalkland PalacePalace of Holyroodhouseporte cochèretower houseschâteauxcrow-stepped gablesdormerbattlementedporte-cochèreofficial residencesthe CrownCivil List Act 1760Sandringham HouseEdward VIIIabdicatedGeorge VICairngorms National ParkLochnagarNational Scenic AreaDee river valleyMunrosThe Old Man of LochnagarAndrewEdwardThe Prince's Trust