Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle Details

Balmoral Castle, the C19 shooting lodge of the Royal Family built to replace earlier tower house of the Farquharsons.

  • Closest To: Ballater, Crathie, Braemar
  • Access: Occasional Access
  • Grid Reference: NO255950

Balmoral Castle is of course best known as the private residence of the Royal Family, and was built as an entirely new building in the 1850s. There was a previous (and very extensive) building at Balmoral prior to this, with the oldest part dating to the 16th or early 17th century, but this was completely demolished after the new mansion was built.

Balmoral was originally part of the earldom of Mar, and was acquired from the Drummond family by the earl of Huntly in the 15th century, possibly by inheritance. Subsequently it was held by the Gordons of Midmar, later known as the Gordons of Abergeldie, and from them passed to the Farquharssons of Inverey. In the 18th century it became a property of the earl of Fife, who leased it out to Sir Robert Gordon, who greatly enlarged the castle. When he died, the Queen was able to buy out the lease, and purchased Balmoral outright by 1852.

The castle and estate are open to visitors for a restricted amount of the year, and may be closed without notice as the royal family do occupy the place; the old castle is remembered with a plaque on the lawn.

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