Castle Scotland
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The Balmoral Estate in what is now known as ‘Royal Deeside’ was formerly owned by King Robert II (1316–1390), who had a hunting lodge in the area.
A Brief History
Like the garrison castles of Scotland, Balmoral changed hands many times over the ages but unlike the fortresses, no blood was shed. Balmoral was used for sport and had recreational value. The land was gifted by the King to Sir William Drummond in 1390. Drummond built the first castle, which still stands a short distance from the modern castle. After Drummond, the estate was sold to Alexander Gordon, the 3rd Earl of Huntly, in the 15th century. Balmoral remained in the family's hands until it was sold in 1662 to the Farquharsons of Invery, who sold the estate in 1798 to the 2nd Earl of Fife. The estate formed part of the coronation activities of King George IV in 1822, during his tour of Scotland.
Following a visit to Scotland in 1842, Queen Victoria leased the small Deeside castle, without seeing it, as a holiday home. She saw it for the first time in 1848, and was not disappointed, describing it as " a pretty little castle in the old Scottish style"... " the finest almost I have seen anywhere"
However the castle proved to be "too small" for the growing family, and Prince Albert bought the freehold in 1852 as a present for Victoria. They proceeded to built a new, bigger castle in the original Scottish Baronial style. The old castle was also much extended to form guest accommodation. The new building was designed by William Smith with help from Prince Albert himself and that was completed in 1855. The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and can be found at the foot of the wall, adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch. Before the foundation stone was placed in position Queen Victoria signed a parchment recording the date. This parchment, together with an example of each of the current coins of the realm, were placed in a bottle, which was inserted into a cavity below the site prepared for the stone. Although the main facade of Balmoral is seventy metres long and three stories high, the Royal family considered it their small home.
Visiting Grounds, gardens and exhibtions are open on a daily basis from Saturday, 1 April until Monday, 31 July 2007, 10.00 am until 5.00 pm.
Full visitor information is available from the Estates Office.
The Estates Office Balmoral Estates Ballater Aberdeenshire AB35 5TB Telephone: 013397 42534 Fax: 013397 42034 E-mail: info@balmoralcastle.com Web site: www.balmoralcastle.com
The Balmoral Estate in what is now known as ‘Royal Deeside’ was formerly owned by King Robert II (1316–1390), who had a hunting lodge in the area.
A Brief History
Like the garrison castles of Scotland, Balmoral changed hands many times over the ages but unlike the fortresses, no blood was shed. Balmoral was used for sport and had recreational value. The land was gifted by the King to Sir William Drummond in 1390. Drummond built the first castle, which still stands a short distance from the modern castle. After Drummond, the estate was sold to Alexander Gordon, the 3rd Earl of Huntly, in the 15th century. Balmoral remained in the family's hands until it was sold in 1662 to the Farquharsons of Invery, who sold the estate in 1798 to the 2nd Earl of Fife. The estate formed part of the coronation activities of King George IV in 1822, during his tour of Scotland.
Following a visit to Scotland in 1842, Queen Victoria leased the small Deeside castle, without seeing it, as a holiday home. She saw it for the first time in 1848, and was not disappointed, describing it as " a pretty little castle in the old Scottish style"... " the finest almost I have seen anywhere"
However the castle proved to be "too small" for the growing family, and Prince Albert bought the freehold in 1852 as a present for Victoria. They proceeded to built a new, bigger castle in the original Scottish Baronial style. The old castle was also much extended to form guest accommodation. The new building was designed by William Smith with help from Prince Albert himself and that was completed in 1855. The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and can be found at the foot of the wall, adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch. Before the foundation stone was placed in position Queen Victoria signed a parchment recording the date. This parchment, together with an example of each of the current coins of the realm, were placed in a bottle, which was inserted into a cavity below the site prepared for the stone. Although the main facade of Balmoral is seventy metres long and three stories high, the Royal family considered it their small home.
Visiting Grounds, gardens and exhibtions are open on a daily basis from Saturday, 1 April until Monday, 31 July 2007, 10.00 am until 5.00 pm.
Full visitor information is available from the Estates Office.
The Estates Office Balmoral Estates Ballater Aberdeenshire AB35 5TB Telephone: 013397 42534 Fax: 013397 42034 E-mail: info@balmoralcastle.com Web site: www.balmoralcastle.com
If you want a castle, Scotland is the place to look. A small country with a big past, every square mile of Scotland has been fought over, defended, bought or sold. From Mary Queen of Scots and King James I, to the MacDonalds and the Campbells, the ‘Black’ Douglas and the Earls of Moray, Scottish Castles have been silent witnesses to a long history, both treacherous and heroic. Castle Scotland gives you the history of our finest buildings, all of them key players in the story of Scotland.
