A Royal Day Out

The big attraction in this corner of the Cairngorms is Balmoral Castle. Built by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as rural retreat, it is still used today by the Queen and the Royal Family as a summer residence. As it is only open to the public until the end of July, we had set up our holiday itinerary to allow a visit. We started our day with a pre-booked Safari tour where we were taken in a Rangerover around parts of the Balmoral Estate.

Supposedly in a group of six, we were the only two people booked this morning so we had a very personalised tour. It was fascinating to hear from George, our guide and driver, about the way the Estate functions and is managed and to be taken to some of the places that the Royal Family use and visit while staying there.

Balmoral Castle

Looking down on Royal Deeside from wthin the Balmoral Estate

A favourite lodge in the Balmoral Estate for BBQs

About as close as we will ever get to siting on a throne...the Queen's seat at the lodge

Queen Victoria's bridge to nowhere...for the view

High up in the back of Balmoral Estate

Where the Queen and Price Phillip will stay until Balmoral is closed to the public

We returned to the Castle at lunch time and after something to eat, we spent most of the afternoon strolling around the grounds. We also visited the one room in the Castle that is open to the public...the Ballroom. With the afternoon drawing to a close, we left with one more Royal visit to make...Royal Lochnagar Distillery. A tour and a dram of their finest was an excellent way to finish off the day.

Scenes from around the grounds and gardens of Balmoral Castle