Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle from the south lawn
Location of Balmoral in Aberdeenshire
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Royal residence
Architectural style	Scots baronial revival
Location	Aberdeenshire
Address	Balmoral Estate Ballater AB35 5TB
Country	Scotland
Coordinates	57°2′27″N 3°13′48″W / 57.04083°N 3.23000°W / 57.04083; -3.23000
Construction started	1853; 171 years ago (1853)
Completed	1856; 168 years ago (1856)
Owner	King Charles III
Height
Architectural	30.48 m (100 ft 0 in) (Great Tower)
Technical details
Material	Granite and slate
Floor count	Largely two- and three-storey
Design and construction
Architect(s)	William Smith (City Architect of Aberdeen)
Developer	Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Other designers	John Thomas (Sculptor)
Main contractor	M. Stuart
Website
www.balmoralcastle.com
Listed Building – Category A
Official name	Balmoral Castle with Parterre and Terrace Walls
Designated	12 March 2010
Reference no.	LB51460[1]
Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
Official name	Balmoral Castle
Designated	1 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.