Scottish Tour Guide's Blog » Balmoral

Visit Balmoral Castle, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:30:03 +0000

Balmoral Castle, Scottish Highlands

This evening, I am posting information on Balmoral Castle, a popular visitor attraction situated about 50 miles/80 km west of Aberdeen in the Scottish Highlands. Other popular visitor sites in the area include the small town of Braemar, Braemar Castle, Crathie Kirk and Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

Visit Braemar, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:44:23 +0000

This evening, I am posting information on the village of Braemar in the Highlands of Scotland, viz:

Situated in the Grampian Mountains region, about 60 miles (96 km) west of Aberdeen and has population of 400 persons.

Tour Queen Victoria Sites, Tour Scotland

catswhiskers — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:02:19 +0000

This morning, we departed our Birnam lodgings and progressed as follows:

To Braemar in the Grampian Region of Northern Scotland for a brief stop and then east, past Braemar Castle, tracking the River Dee to the Royal Lochnagar Distillery which was awarded a Royal warrant by Queen Victoria. At Royal Lochnagar the group was provided with a tour of the distillery and a sample of the 12 year old malt.

Visit Crathie Church, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:17:40 +0000

Crathie Church, Deeside, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Craithie Kirk (Church) which is located in the Scottish Highlands close to the Royal Castle at Balmoral. This area falls within the Cairngorms National Park and the highest and most remote part of Scotland.

Visit Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:23:53 +0000

Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Deeside, Scotland

This evening, i am focusing on Royal Lochnagar Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Some key facts:

Established 1845 and named after the nearby mountain of the same name.

Visit Spittal of Glenshee, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:04:53 +0000

Glenshee Highland Scenery, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the small village of Glenshee, located in Perthshire and just south of the Grampian Mountains, about 1 hour drive north of Pitlochry.

Grand Scottish Castles

catswhiskers — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 21:47:53 +0000

This evening, I am focusing on a sub-set of Scottish castles most of which would have had early origins as military/fortified buildings but which progressively evolved into grand mansions reflecting the increasing wealth and status of their owners.

Visit Balmoral Castle and Gardens, Visit Scotland

catswhiskers — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:37:06 +0000

View of Castle from Gardens

Balmoral Castle, Scotland

This evening, my theme is Balmoral Castle and Gardens which are located near Braemar in the Highlands of Scotland. Balmoral Castle is owned by HM the Queen in a private capacity having first being acquired by Queen Victoria in the 19th century. The Royal Family holiday here during August when the castle and grounds are closed to visitors. At certain times during the summer the grounds are open to the public plus one room (the ballroom) of the Castle.

Scottish Highlands Castle Tour

catswhiskers — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:05:05 +0000

Today, proved very rewarding and successful. Here is an outline:

Departed our lodgings at Braemar Lodge about 9.30am and then paid a brief visit to the pleasant village of Braemar which is tourist orientated but, nevertheless, attractive with a small stream (burn) close by. The air seemed fresh and invigorating.

Balmoral Castle,Scottish Highlands

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:41:00 +0000

This evening, I am posting a video clip of Balmoral Castle which has been the official Highland residence of the Royal Family since Prince Albert bought the estate in 1852, a purchase which acted as a catalyst to tourism in Scotland. The original castle was too small for royal needs, and demolished in favour of a new building.The new castle was designed by Prince Albert and William Smith of Aberdeen and was completed in 1855. Whilst the extensive grounds and gardens are open to visitors at prescribed times, only the ballroom is accessible to visitors.. This features an exhibition of paintings, tartans and a selection of royal items. The garden contains a glasshouse, conservatory, water and kitchen areas.

The River Dee flows through the area which, because of the Royal connection, has become known as Royal Deeside. Here is a clip of the River Dee at Balmoral.

Overall, Balmoral Castle is worthy of a visit but visitors should remember that the Castle proper is not open to the public.