Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle is a large country estate in Scotland that has served as a private residence of the British royal family since the mid-19th century. The current Scots baronial style castle and estate are most closely associated with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The estate includes the main castle, walled gardens, woodland and extensive grounds covering many square kilometres; parts of the gardens and estate are open to visitors during a limited summer season. The house itself remains a private home and is not fully open to the public.

Prince Albert purchased the estate for Queen Victoria in the mid-19th century and the present castle building dates from the Victorian period when it was rebuilt and extended in the 1850s. Since then it has been used primarily as a private royal retreat rather than a public palace.

Balmoral sits on Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, near the village of Ballater and within the valley of the River Dee. The estate lies inland from the north-eastern coast of Scotland and is reached by road from nearby towns.

• Private residence: The property has been a private residence of the British royal family since the mid-19th century and is used as their Scottish retreat rather than a full public monument.
• Seasonal opening: Public access is seasonal and limited; check dates before visiting because parts of the estate close when the royal family is in residence.

What to See #

• Balmoral Castle and estate: The main 19th-century castle building on the Balmoral estate remains a private royal residence and is not open to the public. The surrounding estate includes gardens, woodlands and working farmland that form the core of Balmoral.
• Visitor areas and access: The estate's grounds and some rooms or exhibitions are opened to visitors seasonally when the royal family is not in residence, typically in late summer. A visitor centre and estate shop provide basic interpretation and services.