Balmoral, in Scotland’s Cairngorm National Park, is one of Queen Elizabeth’s private homes. It is the place where she, members of the royal family and their guests invite from August to October. You are invited to visit as well.
However, if you want to attend, you need to plan and reserve your tickets well in advance. Unlike Windsor Castle, the British monarch’s weekend getaway, open whether the royal family is in residence or not, Balmoral (like Sandringham, where royalty spends Christmas), is a private family property. It is closed during August, September and October. Even when open to the public, only limited areas can be visited, but those give a fascinating insight into the private life of the British monarchy.
What to see
- The Ballroom , which contains an exhibition of paintings, artwork, porcelain, the Balmoral Tartan Collection and other items from the Castle. This is the largest room in Balmoral and the only one really open to the public. The rest of the interior is a private residence. The exhibits in the ballroom change from year to year, so if you’ve visited once, chances are you’ll see something different the next time you visit.
- The Carriage Hall courtyard with its displays of Royal Heraldry, memorial porcelain and displays of native wildlife in their natural habitat. Again, the exhibits are likely to change from year to year in this area.
- A three acre formal garden with several Victorian greenhouses, an orchard and a water garden.
- Garden Cottage – Queen Victoria’s retreat, where she wrote her diaries and often ate breakfast. It is not open to the public, but you can take a look out the window. It is organized in the same way that it would have been during Queen Victoria’s day.
- Luxury Landrover Safaris – Guided tours of the estate’s wildest reaches in the Cairngorm Mountains are offered in the mornings and afternoons during the opening season. Participants are offered a loan of high-quality Swarovski Optik binoculars for spotting wildlife during tours.
Ranger Walks
When Balmoral Castle is open to the public, the Ranger Service offers a series of easy guided walks. Throughout the fall and winter, hikes are also scheduled ranging from easy hikes and family outings to Lochnagar mountain hikes. The walks are free but must be booked in advance and normal admission for a visit to Balmoral applies.
Other nearby places of interest
- Crathie Parish Church , where the Royal Family attend church services on Sunday mornings, can be visited from April to October. Sunday services are 11:30.
- Royal Lochnagar Distillery – A small working Scotch whiskey distillery, open year round, with guided tours and inexpensive tastings from 4pm to 4pm from April to October and frequently scheduled tours for the rest of the year.
