Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire is one of two private estates personally owned by the Royal Family, as opposed to the royal palaces which belong to the Crown. The castle was purchased by Prince Albert in 1852.

The Royal Family first became interested in Balmoral in 1847 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the Scottish Highlands. Letters from Balmoral described blue skies and fine weather, and in 1848 it was suggested that Balmoral's climate would be better suited as a Scottish residence for the Queen.

After Prince Albert's death, Queen Victoria spent increasingly more time at Balmoral, with her happy memories and welcome solitude. When she died in 1901, Balmoral passed to King Edward VII.

The castle sits on the Balmoral Estate, an active estate that protects the environment while contributing to the local economy. The Royal Family traditionally spends August and September at Balmoral. Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral on 8 September 2022.