Scottish Castles: Balmoral | Vacations

By AngusMacLeod
Total views: 1
Word Count: 587

Tourism is now one of Scotland's most important industries and each year more and more visitors spend time in the country for a multitude of reasons. While Edinburgh seems to have a festival for every week of the year but most visitors are most excited to visit the castle. At times Scotland appears to be a nation of castles (which is understandable when you consider it's turbulent past) and a great many are open to the public. Balmoral Castle is a 5 star visitor attraction at Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

In 1603, when the thrones of Scotland and England were united, it seemed as though the Royal Family lost all interest in Scotland in preference to it's richer, southern, neighbor. It was not until 1822 that interest was generated by the famous author Sir Walter Scott when he arranged a visit for King George IV. The "one and twenty daft days", as it became known, was full of pageantry which included many embellishments of Scott's romantic ideas of medieval Scotland.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as had the whole of society, had been heavily influenced by Sir Walter Scott's novels which gave Scotland a romantic appeal. During his trip to Scotland George IV had stayed at Balmoral Estate. The estate dates back to 1390 and was where King Robert II of Scotland had once had a hunting lodge. These facts, and the favorable report from the doctor (Sir James Clark) led Queen Victoria to hire the estate, for their vacation, sight unseen.

Almost upon arrival, at Balmoral, Victoria and Albert fell in love with the place. They had time to enjoy country walks together and lived in a rather small house with rather small rooms. The estate quickly became one of their most favorite places and, in 1852, Prince Albert purchased it outright for around ?30,000.

Over the years the Royal Family grew and while Albert still managed to enjoy his shooting, and Victoria her country walks, it was apparent that the residence was becoming far too small to accommodate them. It was decided that a new residence was required which was to be designed by William Smith, and architect from Aberdeen, and named Balmoral Castle. The castle was built quickly and was completed in 1856.

Since then Balmoral Castle, and it's estate, has been the private property of the British Royal Family (meaning that it is not part of the royal estate). Today the castle and it's 50,000 acres and over 100 buildings is a fully working estate and the summer retreat of Queen Elizabeth II.

Balmoral Castle has witnessed some of the royal's happy times but also their sad. Victoria and Albert had their best times there but following Albert's death, in 1861, Queen Victoria isolated herself spending a great deal of time on the estate. Another sad moment was when, in 1997, Queen Elizabeth II was informed of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Elizabeth's grief was kept private and the distraught public criticized her greatly for remaining there rather than immediately returning to London.

Of course the royal family have a number of residences to which they can spend time and they can visit virtually anywhere on the planet. However they have a number of places which seem to be dear to them. One such place is the Outer Hebrides and, in particular, the Isle of Harris. To this day various members of the royal family make the long trek to visit the islands. However it is Balmoral Castle which is most associated with the family's private times.

About the Author

If you are planning to visit Scotland then take a look at Harris Hotel and other Hebrides accommodation online at http://www.virtualhebrides.com/

You are here Articles > Recreation and Leisure > Travel > Vacations