Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle from the south lawn
Balmoral Castle is located in Aberdeenshire
Balmoral Castle
Location of Balmoral in Aberdeenshire
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeRoyal residence
Architectural styleScots baronial revival
LocationAberdeenshire
AddressBalmoral Estate
Ballater
AB35 5TB
CountryScotland
Coordinates57°2′27″N 3°13′48″W / 57.04083°N 3.23000°W / 57.04083; -3.23000
Construction started1853; 171 years ago (1853)
Completed1856; 168 years ago (1856)
OwnerKing Charles III
Height
Architectural30.48 m (100 ft 0 in) (Great Tower)
Technical details
MaterialGranite and slate
Floor countLargely two- and three-storey
Design and construction
Architect(s)William Smith (City Architect of Aberdeen)
DeveloperQueen Victoria and Prince Albert
Other designersJohn Thomas (Sculptor)
Main contractorM. Stuart
Website
www.balmoralcastle.com
Listed Building – Category A
Official nameBalmoral Castle with Parterre and Terrace Walls
Designated12 March 2010
Reference no.LB51460[1]
Official nameBalmoral Castle
Designated1 July 1987
Reference no.GDL00045[2]

Balmoral Castle (/bælˈmɒrəl/) is a large estate house in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and a residence of the British royal family. It is near the village of Crathie, 9 miles (14 km) west of Ballater and 50 miles (80 km) west of Aberdeen.

The estate and its original castle were bought from the Farquharson family in 1852 by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Soon afterwards the house was found to be too small and the current Balmoral Castle was commissioned. The architect was William Smith of Aberdeen, and his designs were amended by Prince Albert. Balmoral remains the private property of the monarch and is not part of the Crown Estate. It was the summer residence of Queen Elizabeth II, who died there on 8 September 2022.[3]

The castle is an example of Scottish baronial architecture, and is classified by Historic Environment Scotland as a category A listed building.[1] The new castle was completed in 1856 and the old castle demolished shortly thereafter.

The Balmoral Estate has been added to by successive members of the royal family, and now covers an area of 21,725 hectares (53,684 acres) of land.[4] It is a working estate, including grouse moors, forestry and farmland, as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle, sheep and ponies.

  1. ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Balmoral Castle With Parterre and Terrace Walls (Category A Listed Building) (LB51460)". Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference garden was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Queen Elizabeth II has died". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  4. ^ Revealed: King Charles’s private fortune estimated at £1.8bn