Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle, located in the valley of the River Dee in Crathie, is a magnificent palace set amid sprawling foliage and countryside. Built in 1856 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the castle is still the summer residence of the British Royal Family. It is renowned for its grand ballroom and magnificent gardens, which contain some of the oldest trees in Scotland. Visitors to the castle can tour the grounds and gardens, which were designed by notable landscape artist John Loudon McAdam, as well as the house, which features a number of objects of art and mementos from the royal visits. Members of the royal household are often seen in the area and visitors can enjoy some wonderful local shops, cafés and B&Bs. During the summer a program of events is run at Balmoral, including torchlit tours around the grounds, live music, pony rides, falconry displays and activities for kids.