BALMORAL - ROYAL DEESIDE
Balmoral is located 72
miles south east of Accommodation Inverness in Inverness. The landscape of
the Braemar to Ballater stretch of the River Dee takes in fields along the
valley floor, plantations and natural woodlands sweeping up to heathery
grouse moors and deer forest country above, and a remote mountain horizon.
What has really made it most famous is Balmoral Castle. At the heart of an
extensive estate, it is the British Royal Family's Highland home.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first rented the old
Balmoral Castle in 1848. Four years later, Prince Albert bought the
property for £31,500. He commissioned the Aberdeen architect William Smith
to design a replacement castle to be built from local Glen Gelder granite.
Many of the Prince's own ideas were incorporated into the layout. Victoria
and Albert were welcomed to the new castle on 7 September 1855 and thus
the future of Royal Deeside was assured.
During the year 2000 Balmoral Castle will be open daily
from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., however it is recommended that 4 p.m. is the
last admission time.
Click here
if you would like to visit Balmoral Castle's own web site.
|
