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Balmoral Castle is 50 miles west of Aberdeen, 9
miles west of Ballater, 10 miles east of Braemar,
completed for Queen Victoria in 1856.
You can visit when the Royals are not there,
normally 1st April until 31st July, from 10.00
a.m. until 5.00 p.m. There is an entrance fee.
Postcode: AB35 5TB
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click On Map for area Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
Visits allow you to view the Castle
Exterior, Gardens, Cafe, and Stables Museum.
Tours of the Estate and into the Mountains have
to be booked well in advance through the
website.
The image top is of the Visitor Centre with
large Car Parks for Castle visits. Crathie
Kirk, used by Royals, is across the road from
the Visitor Centre.
The second image shows the entrance to
Balmoral with the Ticket Office, about a 300
yard walk from the car parks.
There is about a 5 hundred yard walk from
the Gates to the Castle. A Landrover with a
Seated Trailer
runs all day, every 15 minutes, transporting
visitors to and from the Castle.
The main Gardens are 200 yards in front of
the castle.
The Cafe is next to the Castle, and Stables
Museum a short walk from the Cafe. Castle Large
Image.
The Museum gives information on the history
and running of the Estate with many old
vehicles. There is also a section with a number
of vintage Land and Range Rovers, some used by
Royals.
Royal Lochnagar Distillery is
half of a mile up from the Castle, turn left at
the Castle entrance and follow the road
uphill.
The 3,789ft /1,155m Lochnagar Mountain is
situated in the Balmoral Estate. Information on
hiking the mountain Lochnagar
Hike.
Crathie Kirk is
by the Information Centre, free to visit
although donations are encouraged. Large
Image.
Old Invercauld Bridge is 6 miles west of
Balmoral Castle towards Braemar. This 1750s
Military Bridge is one of the most scenic old
Bridges in Scotland. The Bridge is directly
across the road from the entrance to Invercauld
Estate. There is little car parking though.
Large
Image.
Balmoral Castle History
King Robert II 1316–1390, had a hunting
lodge in this area.
1390 - the first Balmoral Castle was built
for Sir William Drummond.
1400s - the Estate was sold to Alexander
Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly.
1400s? - a Church was built in this area
close to the River Dee.
1662 - the Estate was sold to the
Farquharsons of Invery.
1746 - the Jacobite Army was defeated at
Culloden by Inverness. Balmoral was
taken from the Farquharsons at this time as
they supported the Jacobite's.
1748 - work began on Fort George by
Inverness to house Troops to prevent any more
Risings.
1749 - a Military Road was built leading
north to Fort George, passing through the
Balmoral Estate. Old Invercauld Bridge was part
of this road.
1798 - Balmoral was sold to James Duff, 2nd
Earl of Fife, who leased the estate to Sir
Robert Gordon.
1804 - a small Church was built where
Crathie Kirk stands today.
1845 - John Begg built the Lochnagar
Distillery 1 mile from Balmoral Castle.
1847 - Sir Robert Gordon died.
1848 - Queen Victoria and Prince Albert take
on the lease of Balmoral.
1848 - the Lochnagar Distillery was awarded
its Royal Warrant after Queen Victoria, Prince
Albert, and their Children visited.
1852 - Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
bought Balmoral Estate for £32,000.
1856 - the new Balmoral Castle was completed
for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Old
Castle was demolished at this time.
1893 - Crathie Kirk was built in place of
the earlier Church from 1804, with Queen
Victoria laying the foundation stone.
1901 - Queen Victoria dies, leading to her
grandson George V taking over Balmoral.
1937 - George VI becomes King and continues
to use Balmoral for family holidays.
1953 - Queen Elizabeth II becomes Queen with
Balmoral being one of her favourite homes.
1968 - Queen Elizabeth opens Balmoral to the
public for a few months in early summer each
year.
Today - the Castle Grounds, Cafe, and Museum
are open to the public for a few months in
early summer when the Royals are not there.
Ballater is a Town 9 miles east of
Balmoral, where many Royals shop, with the
Train Station there serving as a Museum with a
Royal Carriage. The Town has information on how
the Royals would Travel to the area.
8th September 2022 - Queen Elizabeth died at
Balmoral aged 96.
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