Balmoral Castle is a grand palatial style castle which is surrounded by the inspirational scenery of Cairngorms National Park and Lochnagar in Royal Deeside. Designed by the architect William Smith with some input from Prince Albert himself when it came to aspects such as the design of the windows and turrets, this stunning castle was built in 1853.

Balmoral Castle, a Holiday Home Fit for a Queen!

Known as the Queen’s holiday home, Balmoral Castle has been a much loved holiday home for successive generations of the Royal Family.  This stunning castle

was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852 (how’s that for a memorable gift and a declaration of love!) and was reportedly a much cherished hideaway for Queen Victoria. Nestled by the mountain scenery of Lochnagar, a forest and in a remote hidden away part of Scotland, it’s easy to see what makes the estate of Balmoral such a wonderful hideaway for the British Royal Family.

A visit to Balmoral Castle is likely to be a must for those with a love for Scottish historical architecture and for fans of the Royal Family.

Getting to Balmoral Castle

Located around mid-way between Braemar and Ballater in Aberdeenshire, this Castle is a Category A listed building which is nestled in extensive gardens. There are formal gardens of around 3 acres on this expansive estate.
 

Balmoral Castle Address:

Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Estates,
Ballater
Aberdeenshire
AB35 5TB

When to Visit and Opening Times

As of 2014 the castle was open to the public between 1 April and 31 July who are able to visit the grounds, gardens and exhibitions. An entrance fee applies. Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Guided tours can be arranged. Guided walks are available where a ranger will give you a tour of the grounds and gardens but must be booked in advance. See the Balmoral Castle official website for more information.

At extra cost, it is even possible to book on a luxury land rover safari tour of the Balmoral Estate where you may be lucky enough to see some rare Scottish wildlife. This tour takes you through the grounds and gardens of Balmoral, on to the Estate farm and on in to the old Caledonian Pine Forest and up in to the mountain scenery of Lochnagar.

A Brief History of Balmoral Castle

Originally the site of a hunting lodge, then a Tower House and later on a castle, Baronial style extensions were then added to the original building in around 1830. Building work started on a new castle close to the original castle in around 1853 and was completed around 1855.The original castle was demolished around 1856 and a new ballroom added to the new castle in around 1856.