Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside

Many visitors think of Balmoral Castle as the centre piece of Royal Deeside. Set amongst the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms, in the shadows of Lochnagar is the Balmoral Estate with Balmoral Castle sitting prodly amidst stunning Scots Pine clad mountains. The Balmoral Estate covers about 20,000 hectares acres of Royal Deeside heather clad hills, ancient Caledonian woodland, policies and of course the beautiful River Dee is nearby.Over the past 150 years careful stewardship by the owners, The Royal Family, has preserved the wildlife, scenery and architecture which is available for all generations to enjoy.

In her journals Queen Victoria described Balmoral Castle as "my dear paradise in the Highlands" - we hope you will feel the same way about Balmoral once you have visited this most special place.The grounds, gardens and exhibitions at Balmoral are closed to the Public during August, September and early October as the Royal Family are in residence.However the grounds, gardens and exhibitions will be open on a daily basis from Friday 1st April until Sunday 31st July during 2011.

Although Royal Deeside abounds with beauty and contains a clutch of fine castles, there can be no doubt that the centrepiece is Balmoral Castle and its estate and the image of the castle is recognised world-wide.

Each summer many thousands of visitors go to see the castle and to walk amongst the fine gardens and woods of the estate. When the Royal Family is in residence, and the castle and grounds are closed, many tourists watch as the family attend Sunday service at nearby Crathie Kirk. At the far side of the estate many people, not necessarily aware of the royal link, visit Loch Muick and climb majestic Lochnagar.

Balmoral Castle - Royal Deeside in spring