Balmoral Castle

The estate was leased and then bought outright in 1852 as private property rather than a state residence, and the existing house was found too small, so a new castle was built between 1853 and 1856 in local grey granite to a design worked out with Prince Albert closely involved. The result, with its turrets, crow-steps and clean granite, defined what became known as Scots baronial revival and was copied across the Highlands and beyond for decades. The estate covers around twenty thousand hectares of hill, forest and farmland on Deeside, with grouse moor, a deer herd and Highland cattle. Visitor access is limited to the grounds, gardens, exhibitions in the stables and, in some seasons, the ballroom, which is the only room in the castle regularly shown. Crathie Kirk stands opposite.

What you actually see

• The granite castle - the 1856 building that set the baronial revival style.
• The ballroom - the one room in the castle regularly opened to visitors.
• The estate grounds - gardens, woodland walks and the Deeside setting.
• The stables exhibitions - displays on the estate and its working life.

When to go

April to July, which is when the estate normally opens; it closes to visitors for the rest of the year while in use, and dates shift, so they must be checked before travelling. The grounds are at their best in early summer.

Honest expectations

The castle interior is essentially closed, with only the ballroom shown, which disappoints visitors expecting a house tour. The opening season is short and subject to change. Tickets are expensive relative to what is accessible.

Nearby

Ballater and Braemar lie along Deeside; the Cairngorms rise to the west.