Heritage-listed Balmoral Castle is considered one of the most famous castles in Scotland, although it does not belong to ancient buildings. Nevertheless, this place still remains the current residence of the English kings, impressing travelers with its unique view and adherence to original Scottish traditions.
A trip to the past
Long before the purchase of a large plot of land by the family of English kings, this part of Scotland had a fortress and an estate, from which Balmoral castle takes its name. There are several versions of the descriptions of this historical event:
- Some say that the purchase of land in Scotland was the decision of Prince Albert, who associated the area with his homeland, Thuringia. Then, by order of the monarch, a Gothic castle in the old Scottish style was erected, which was later presented as a gift to his wife.
- Others believe that the idea of buying the estate belonged to the queen herselfVictoria. The deal took place for 30,000 guineas after the death of the previous owner of the plot, choking on a fish bone. And then, by order of the queen, a beautiful castle was erected, which became a summer residence.
- According to the third version, first Albert and Victoria rented a medieval castle in the Highlands in 1848. And since they really liked the area, they decided to buy their land here as a summer residence.
Despite the large number of versions, the facts are as follows. The acquisition of the Balmoral estate took place in 1852. Since the old Gothic castle turned out to be too cramped and inconvenient for the owners, the construction of a new one began. For this, the famous architect William Smith was invited. His project was completed by 1856.
So that the royal couple did not experience great inconvenience, a new building began to be erected at some distance from the previous one. And when all the work was completed, the old building was destroyed. It is known that the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his wife visited Balmoral Castle in 1896. What happened to the fortress now?
Balmoral Castle today
From the very beginning there was a special, reverent attitude towards the castle. It is considered a hallmark of all English kings, starting from the middle of the 19th century. Therefore, Balmoral Castle is still used as a summer cottage. According to the inhabitants of the castle, everyone who has ever visited this fabulous, paradise-like place will be irresistibly drawn to return here again and again.
Yearly familyEnglish monarchs live in this area for up to 10 weeks. This period falls on the last month of summer and the beginning of autumn. At this time, visiting this Scottish attraction stops.
Traditions are carefully preserved inside the castle. For example, from ancient times it was customary to start the morning with music performed on the bagpipe, an ancient Scottish instrument. This kind of "alarm clock" is still used today. The interior decoration of the premises is also made in the old Scottish style. And everyone inside must be dressed in the national clothes of this country.
Castle exterior
Externally, the summer residence of the kings differs from traditional Scottish architecture with rectangular towers in the form of fortifications. Since Prince Albert was keenly interested in innovations in this area, he sought to fit the structure into the terrain as naturally as possible.
Those who wrote the description of Balmoral Castle note the relatively small height of the structure. Most of it is a building of 3 floors with a basement. The watchtower-like element is the tallest part of the building. In the center of the main part of the building is a tower that connects two courtyards located diagonally. To enhance the romanticism of the appearance, small turrets were made in the corners of the house.
Cream granite was chosen for the construction of the castle. Because of him, Balmoral Castle acquired such a majestic and noble appearance. And thanks to the figurines depicting saints andheraldic animals, the walls are turned into a real work of art.
About the area near the castle
The total area of the plot acquired by the royal family in the 19th century is about 20,000 hectares of land. In addition to the castle, it contains virgin forests, which are the best hunting grounds in the country.
The waters of the River Dee, flowing around the castle, are home to a lot of fish. Therefore, one of the entertainment for guests is fishing. At the same time, an ancient tradition is observed: all fish caught in these places must be released back into the river before sunset.
Because Balmoral Castle is located in a mountainous area, its lands are not suitable for agriculture. Nevertheless, vegetables and fruits are actively grown on the estate, which are then served at the royal table.
Describing the beauty surrounding the castle, it is impossible not to mention the amazing flower gardens, the greenhouse. Of the natural beauties, the gentle sea, narrow mountain paths and majestic waterfalls remain in the memory of many tourists.
Features of visiting the castle by tourists
Because Balmoral Castle in Scotland is a functioning royal residence, it is open to visitors when the owners are away. Therefore, it is worth planning a visit to this unique place from April to July.
Each visitor for a fixed fee will be allowed to enjoy the surroundings of the castle and the inspection of the building itself from the outside. Insideof the magnificent castle, only some rooms are available. The royal family's private quarters remain closed to visitors year-round.
Not far from the castle, special cafes are open for tourists where you can taste real English tea. For first-time visitors to Balmoral Castle, this seemingly simple ceremony leaves a lasting impression.
Exposure for tourists inside the castle
Inside the castle, guests are presented with ballrooms. During the visit of these places by the queen and her family, big holidays and receptions are held here. During the tourist period, various expositions are exhibited here. Men can enjoy exploring the collection of weapons kept here.
These halls contain portraits that show the tastes and hobbies of members of the royal family in different years. So, a feature of the English kings has always been a love of dogs. Therefore, since 2014, part of the exposition has been dedicated to these pets.
Many people call the Balmoral area a real paradise, because what they see here leaves one of the most vivid impressions. Therefore, when planning a trip to Scotland, be sure to visit this place. It will become a source of unforgettable sensations.
