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Balmoral Castle beyond its formal garden under a blue sky.
Aberdeenshire

Balmoral Castle

The royal family's Highland home on the Dee, bought by Prince Albert in 1852, whose grounds, gardens and ballroom open to visitors in spring, early summer and autumn.

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Welcome

In a wide bend of the Dee below the dark mass of Lochnagar, the turrets of Balmoral rise from their lawns in pale grey granite.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the estate in 1852, found the old house too small, and built this castle in its place between 1853 and 1856, in the Scots Baronial style that Balmoral made the fashion of an age.

It has been the royal family's Highland home ever since, and they still come here each summer. When they are away, the grounds and gardens open to visitors: formal flower beds laid out beneath the castle walls, woodland paths along the river, and the ballroom, the one room of the castle that can be seen, with its exhibitions. An audio guide leads round ten stops.

Balmoral opens in spring and early summer and again in the autumn, with a gift shop and a restaurant by the stables.

A short drive awayRoyal Lochnagar DistilleryA distillery at the gates of the estate.18 min by roadSee itCasks stencilled Royal Lochnagar Distillery stacked in the warehouse.
Before you go

The grounds, gardens and ballroom open every day in spring and early summer and again in the autumn, from ten until five; the castle's site has the season's dates.

Where
On the A93 between Ballater and Braemar, AB35 5TB.
Open
The grounds, gardens and ballroom only.

Opening hours

Monday
10am–5pm
Tuesday
10am–5pm
Wednesday
10am–5pm
Thursday
10am–5pm
Friday
10am–5pm
Saturday
10am–5pm
Sunday
10am–5pm
Where it is

On the south bank of the Dee, eight miles west of Ballater.

Close byRoyal Deeside.
  1. Crathie Gallery and Post Office, AberdeenshireCrathie Gallery and Post OfficeUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Crathie KirkCrathie KirkThe royal family's parish church, across the Dee.4 miles19 min by road
  3. Knock CastleKnock Castle9 miles29 min by road
  4. The granite front of the Deeside Deli on Bridge Street, Ballater, flowers hanging by its windows.Deeside Deli & Garden ShopA family deli in Ballater with a cheese counter and a Royal Warrant.11 miles28 min by road
  5. Braemar CastleBraemar CastleA white tower house of 1628 up the valley.12 miles30 min by road
Directions
Casks stencilled Royal Lochnagar Distillery stacked in the warehouse.AttractionsRoyal Lochnagar Distillery1.0 miles over the water
Stravaig Saunas, AberdeenshireActivityStravaig Saunas2.0 miles over the water
Two grey linen sofas face each other across a dark wooden coffee table, checked roman blinds at the windows and a framed landscape print on the wall.AberdeenshireOld School CottageSleeps 7 · 8.8 miles
A grand stone house with multiple gables and chimneys stands on a lawn at dusk, a Land Rover parked in the drive under a stormy sky.AberdeenshireGairnshiel LodgeSleeps 16 · 8.8 miles
A wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.AberdeenshireLaggan CottageSleeps 8 · 8.8 miles
Darroch Learg, AberdeenshireBallaterDarroch LeargPlace to stay · 11 miles
Fish Shop Restaurant, AberdeenshireRestaurantsFish Shop Restaurant11 miles
Stone arched bridge crossing a river below forested hills in autumnAttractionsBallater11 miles
The Balmoral Arms' dining room, dark walls hung with pictures above tartan banquettes.RestaurantsBalmoral Arms11 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.Faunoran House
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Crathie
  • Under a mile from Balmoral
Free 17–19 OctA grand stone house with multiple gables and chimneys stands on a lawn at dusk, a Land Rover parked in the drive under a stormy sky.Gairnshiel Lodge
  • Sleeps 16
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 4 miles from Balmoral
Free 18–20 OctA wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.Laggan Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 4 miles from Balmoral
Free 18–20 OctTwo grey linen sofas face each other across a dark wooden coffee table, checked roman blinds at the windows and a framed landscape print on the wall.Old School Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 4 miles from Balmoral
Free 17–19 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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