Balmoral

Balmoral, most commonly known as Balmoral Castle, is a large estate house in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and one of the principal private residences of the British royal family. Located near the village of Crathie, 14 miles (23 km) west of Ballater and 50 miles (80 km) west of Aberdeen, the estate has been a royal retreat since 1852 when it was purchased by Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria. The castle is celebrated for its Scottish baronial architecture, picturesque setting on the River Dee, and its role as a private family home for successive monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, who died there on 8 September 2022. The name "Balmoral" is also used for a variety of other entities, including a type of Scottish cap, a brand of whisky, a ship, and several places in the Commonwealth, but the castle remains the most prominent referent.

History

The original Balmoral estate traces back to the 14th century, when it was a hunting lodge for the Scottish kings. In 1390, Sir William Drummond of Cargill acquired the land, and a tower house was built. The estate later passed through the hands of the Gordon family and was subsequently sold to the Abercrombies and then to the Farquharsons of Inverey. By the early 19th century, the property was owned by Sir Robert Gordon, a younger son of the Earl of Aberdeen, who constructed a new mansion house in 1834–1839. Upon his death in 1847, the estate was inherited by his brother, the 4th Earl of Aberdeen, who then leased it to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1848.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first visited Balmoral in September 1848, and both were captivated by the Highland scenery. In 1852, the prince purchased the estate outright for £31,500 (equivalent to several million pounds today). Finding the existing house too small for the royal family and their growing household, they commissioned a new castle. The original building was demolished, and the foundation stone for the present Balmoral Castle was laid in 1853. The architect was William Smith of Aberdeen, who worked under the direction of Prince Albert. The new structure was completed in 1856, and the royal family moved in that same year. Queen Victoria had a deep affection for Balmoral, describing it as "my dear paradise in the Highlands." She spent many summers there and recorded her daily activities in her journals, which helped popularize the Scottish Highlands among the British public.

Subsequent monarchs maintained and expanded the estate. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, as well as King George V and Queen Mary, visited regularly. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) also cherished Balmoral, and it became a favorite retreat for Queen Elizabeth II, who often spent late summer and early autumn at the castle. The estate underwent modernization over the years, including the installation of central heating, electricity, and improved road access.

Architecture

The present Balmoral Castle is designed in the Scottish baronial style, characterized by its castellated towers, turrets, and crow-stepped gables. The building is constructed from local granite, quarried from the nearby Glen Gelder, giving it a distinctive pale grey-white appearance. The main block is three stories high, with a taller tower rising to 100 feet (30 m) at the southwestern corner. The principal rooms include the Ballroom, the Drawing Room, the Dining Room, and numerous private apartments. The Ballroom, the largest room in the castle, measures 68 by 28 feet (21 by 8.5 m) and features a hammerbeam roof and a minstrels' gallery. It is used for official entertainments, including the annual Ghillies' Ball.

The interior decoration reflects Victorian and Edwardian tastes, with tartans, stags' heads, and family portraits prominently displayed. Prince Albert personally oversaw much of the furnishing and landscaping. The castle's east front overlooks formal gardens and the River Dee, while the west and south sides face the wooded hills of the estate. The architecture has been praised for blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, although some critics have described it as "intensely romantic" in a Highland setting.

Royal Use and Traditions

Balmoral is a private residence of the British sovereign, not an official palace. The royal family typically stays at the castle from August to October, using it as a holiday retreat. During this period, the monarch entertains guests, including the Prime Minister, politicians, and other dignitaries, in an informal setting. The "Balmoral test" is a well-known informal assessment used by the royal family to gauge a visitor's trustworthiness and character; it involves a stay at the estate, where guests participate in outdoor activities such as walking, fishing, and shooting.

The estate is also the site of several annual traditions. The Braemar Gathering, a Highland games event held nearby in September, is regularly attended by the royal family. Within the castle grounds, the family engages in deer stalking, grouse shooting, and picnics. Queen Elizabeth II was known for driving her own Land Rover around the estate and for her love of the outdoors, particularly the Balmoral “ghillies” (gamekeepers). It was at Balmoral that the Queen met with her prime ministers for customary private audiences.

Balmoral has been the scene of significant royal events. Queen Elizabeth II died there on 8 September 2022, making it the first death of a British monarch at Balmoral since it became a royal residence (King George V died at Sandringham; Queen Victoria died at Osborne House). The news of her death was announced from the castle, and the estate became a focal point of national mourning.

Gardens and Grounds

The Balmoral estate covers approximately 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of land, including heather moorland, forestry, and farmland. The formal gardens, known as the "Parterres" and the "Herbaceous Border," are laid out in the Victorian style, with symmetrical beds of annuals and perennials. There is also a large vegetable garden, a greenhouse complex, and a water garden. The estate supports a herd of Highland cattle, ponies, and deer. The River Dee, famous for its salmon fishing, flows through the property, and the estate maintains several fishing lodges.

In addition to the castle gardens, the grounds feature many walks and viewpoints, including the "Prince Albert's Cairn," a memorial built by Queen Victoria after her husband's death, and the "Ballroom" which is open to the public. The estate also includes several holiday cottages and lodges used by the royal family and their guests.

Public Access

Unlike the official royal palaces, Balmoral Castle is privately owned by the monarch (as part of the Crown Estate? Actually Balmoral is privately owned, not part of the Crown Estate, but it is held in trust for future generations; the Queen privately owned it, but King Charles now owns it personally). Since 1931, parts of the castle and grounds have been opened to the public when the royal family is not in residence, typically from early April to late July or early August. Visitors can tour the Ballroom, the main exhibition room, and the grounds, including the gardens and the "Great Hall"? Actually the Ballroom is the only room open to the public; other rooms are private. A visitor center and gift shop are also available on site. Admission fees contribute to the maintenance of the estate.

Other Uses

The term "Balmoral" has been applied to various other subjects. The Balmoral bonnet (or Balmoral cap) is a traditional Scottish woolen hat, similar to a tam o'shanter but often associated with military regiments. Balmoral whisky is a brand of Scotch blended whisky. The Balmoral is also the name of a cruise ship operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. In Australia, there are suburbs named Balmoral in New South Wales (Sydney) and Queensland; in Canada, a locality in Ontario; and in New Zealand, a suburb of Auckland. Additionally, a style of men's formal shoe—the Balmoral shoe (a type of lace-up Oxford with a closed lacing system)—takes its name from the castle. All these referents owe their name, directly or indirectly, to the royal residence.

See Also

• Balmoral Castle (disambiguation)
• Royal residences in Scotland
• The Braemar Gathering
• Scottish baronial architecture