Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert fell in love with the Highlands in the 1840s. The original castle was deemed too small, so Albert designed the current Scottish Baronial mansion, completed in 1856, with its distinctive granite walls and towers rising against a backdrop of birch woods and heather moors. Ever since, generations of royals have escaped here each autumn, drawn by the same wild beauty that captivated Victoria.

While the castle itself remains a private royal residence, the grounds, gardens, and ballroom are open to visitors during spring and early summer. The formal gardens are a particular highlight—a Victorian masterpiece of herbaceous borders, kitchen gardens, and water features set against the dramatic mountain scenery of Royal Deeside. The ballroom houses an exhibition of royal life at Balmoral, including paintings, photographs, and artefacts from nearly two centuries of royal Highland holidays.

Beyond the gardens, the 50,000-acre Balmoral estate offers walks through ancient Caledonian pine forests and along the banks of the River Dee. The castle sits at the heart of Royal Deeside, a landscape of exceptional beauty that has drawn visitors since Victorian times. Whether you're a royal enthusiast, a garden lover, or simply seeking a walk through magnificent Highland scenery, Balmoral offers a unique glimpse into the private world of the British monarchy set against one of Scotland's most stunning backdrops.