Balmoral Castle

On our first full day we set of from Braemar, heading towards Aberdeen. But as we passed Balmoral, we noticed that the Castle was open to the public, so that became our first stop of the day. Incidentally, the temperature that morning was -5C.

Balmoral Castle has been the Highland retreat of the Royal family since 1852.....no that was before I was born...

In 1842, Queen Victoria and her husband Albert paid their first visit to Scotland, visiting Edinburgh and Perth.
In 1848, on the advice of her doctor, Victoria and Albert puchased the lease of a little castlemin the Scottish style, at Balmorla. They had not actually seen the castle. In October they travelled to Balmoral to take possession. They were not disappointed.

After a few days they decided this was an ideal setting for a holiday home, and they began to buy the land on which the castle stood, and also the neighbouring estates as well. They spent 6 weeks here while the negotiations went on.

The central part of the castle was about 200 years old, but the previous owner, a friend of Victoria's doctor, had done some alterations.

In 1852 it was decided that more space would be needed in the castle for both family and political reasons, and it became clear that rather than enlarge the exisiting building, a new castle was the best answer. a task Albert took on with great relish. An Aberdeen architect was chosen, and in 1855 the family returned to the new Balmoral Castle, which is the building standing today. close to the site of the original castle.

Although there is only access to the Ballroom of the castle itself, the grounds are extensive and you could spend a lot of time wandering around the estate.
And it is interesting to think that in the winter, the Royal family will be walking the same paths.

http://www.balmoralcastle.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craigowan_Lodge#Craigowan_Lodge

http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/BalmoralCastle/History.aspx