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How Big Is Edinburgh Castle?

Edinburgh Castle is perched high above the Scottish capital on an outcrop of volcanic rock. The castle dominates the skyline, with the city spread out beneath its defensive walls. As you walk up the Royal Mile, the castle looms large ahead, but just how big is Edinburgh Castle?

Edinburgh Castle measures 384,669 sq ft (35,737 sq m), making it one of the largest castles in the UK. It sits 443 ft (135 m) above sea level, providing excellent views over the surrounding area to its defenders in days gone by and its tourists today.

Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified locations in Europe. The castle has evolved since it was first built, with buildings destroyed and added through the centuries. In this article, I will delve into how Edinburgh Castle grew into one of the biggest castles in the UK.

Edinburgh Castle 443 feet above sea level
Edinburgh Castle occupies 334,669 square feet and is 443 feet above sea level

A Prime Defensive Location

The outcrop on which Edinburgh Castle sits is known as Castle Rock (source). The commanding view this site offers has long attracted settlers. There is archaeological evidence pointing to a bronze age settlement on Castle Rock.

With three steep cliffs guarding the approach and fantastic views that allow you to spot any potential foe, Castle Rock offers a prime defensive location. The Romans took advantage of the site and built a fortress and settlement here.

The Romans packed their bags and left Britain for good around 410 AD. By 638 AD, Edinburgh was in the hands of the invading Angles from Northumbria.

They developed the fortress on Castle Rock further. The Viking raids were becoming an increasing problem.

In 1018 AD, Malcolm II regained control of Edinburgh for the Scots, taking advantage of the Angles’ focus on the Viking invaders. By 1093 a royal castle had been established on Castle Rock. Called the Castle of the Maidens, the site was now a politically important location.

The following table offers some perspective on the size of Edinburgh Castle compared to other large castles in the UK and Europe.

CastleLocationAcresSquare FeetSquare Meters
MalborkPoland35.51,546,360143,591
CaerphillyWales301,306,800121,405
PragueCzech Republic16.5718,60966,761
WindsorEngland13.5590,23954,835
Tower of LondonEngland12522,72048,562
PevenseyEngland9.1396,39636,826
EdinburghScotland8.83384,66935,737

St Margaret’s Chapel

In 1130 AD, David I began the fortification of Edinburgh Castle, laying the foundations for the castle we recognize today.

However, an equally important part of the design was the new chapel dedicated to his mother, Queen Margaret (source).

The 12th-century chapel is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. The city has long been fought over. To gain control of the city, the castle was always seen as a must-win location.

Control the castle and you control the city.

Therefore, its strength also became its weakness. The castle has been besieged on 26 occasions, often successfully.

St Margaret’s Chapel is the one building to remain standing throughout the castle’s turbulent history. Scottish royalty has gathered to worship here and the chapel still holds weddings and christenings today.

The Rebuilding of the Castle

Edinburgh Castle became the focus of a battle for supremacy between English and Scottish Monarchs. As a result, the castle walls took a fair old pounding. In 1314, Robert the Bruce ordered the castle’s defensive walls destroyed to hinder any future English occupation of the castle.

David II succeeded his father, Robert the Bruce, to the throne.

In 1360 he began to rebuild Edinburgh Castle. The crowning glory of his design was David’s Tower which took nine years to complete.

Unfortunately, David would not live to witness its completion. Standing 30 meters high, the tower became the heart of this imposing fortress.

Part royal residence, part defensive tower, only a segment of David’s Tower survives today, having been discovered during excavation work in 1912. The bulk of the tower was destroyed under cannon fire during a siege in 1573.

It was later replaced by the Half Moon Battery.

Edinburgh Castle walls
In 1314 Robert The Bruce ordered the destruction of the castle’s walls. They began to be rebuilt from 1360

A Royal Palace Is Added

Edinburgh Castle continued to evolve, often necessitated by the impact of conflict.

By the 15th century, Edinburgh was the recognized Scottish capital.

King James III of Scotland decided the castle needed a royal residence to reflect this. In 1460 he began work on the castle’s Royal Palace.

The Royal Palace is located in Crown Square within the castle grounds and was originally an extension of David’s Tower. The palace suffered damage during the same siege which saw the downfall of David’s Tower.

This was the Lang siege, a result of Mary Queen of Scots’ ill-fated marriage to the Earl of Bothwell.

The Royal Palace has been the scene of further significant events in Scottish history. James the VI of Scotland, who would also become King James I in London, was born in the Royal Palace in 1566.

The Great Hall

A royal residency worth its salt would not be complete without a Great Hall. Edinburgh Castle boasts one of the finest medieval Great Halls, completed in 1511 during the reign of James IV.

Unfortunately, James did not get to enjoy his hall for long. Being married to Margaret Tudor, the sister of Henry VIII, did not prevent war with the English. James IV perished in 1513 at the Battle of Flodden.

The Great Hall is renowned for its spectacular hammer-beam roof. The hall would have impressed the important guests who dined within its walls. With the addition of the Royal Palace and Great Hall, Edinburgh Castle was becoming a Renaissance royal palace to rival any in Europe.

Charles I was the last monarch to spend the night in Edinburgh Castle. This was on the eve of his coronation as King of the Scots in 1633. After this, the castle reverted back to predominantly military use.

By 1737, the Great hall was a barracks that could hold 312 men.

The Great Hall has since been restored to its former glory and is one of the highlights of a visit to the castle. It serves as a good pointer as to how the castle was evolving and growing in significance during the 15th and 16th centuries.

The following video provides an inviting taster of this magnificent hall.

Continual Development

New developments enhanced the castle’s military function.

The Jacobite Risings which began in 1689 prompted further enhancements of the castle defenses.

More men stationed at the castle meant more barrack space. The Queen Anne building was one of the additions to the castle grounds as additional barracks for officers.

The Governors House was added to the castle grounds in 1742 and further barracks in 1799. The castle’s military Governor shared his bright new building with the Master Gunner and the castle’s Storekeeper.

The North wing of the house continues to host a Governor. However, the Governor’s role is a ceremonial one today, the position being reintroduced in 1933 having been abolished during the middle part of the 19th century.

It is now a Crown-appointed position.

A New Tower and Gatehouse

The castle continued to expand during the latter part of the 19th century to meet an ever-evolving role.

The Argyle Tower we see today above the portcullis was built in 1880 by the Scottish architect Hippolyte Blanc. This was part of restoration work carried out on the castle during the Victorian era.

Another addition came in 1888 when a new and more striking gatehouse was built. The design was for a more imposing structure than the gatehouse it replaced which dated back to the 17th century.

Statues of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace were placed on either side of the gatehouse in 1929, symbolic reminders of Scottish history.

The introduction of these statues marked the 600th anniversary of the death of King Robert the Bruce. The gatehouse and Argyle Tower signal the entrance to the castle as you wander up the Royal Mile. They mark the outer boundary of the castle buildings.

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

The 100-meter-long esplanade greets visitors to Edinburgh Castle. Being built on a rocky outcrop, the castle offers a single point of access from the East.

The approach is along the famous Royal Mile, with Holyrood palace located at the opposite end of the mile to Edinburgh Castle.

Today the Esplanade is the location of the iconic Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

This area just beyond the gatehouse was originally cleared and flattened in 1753 as an area for military drills and training for the castle garrison. It has been altered over time to match the castle’s needs.

Today the esplanade has many plaques and statues for visitors to explore. The esplanade gives you a real feeling of the size and scale of Edinburgh Castle as well as providing great views across the city.

Edinburgh Castle extensions
Edinburgh Castle has grown over the centuries, with significant extensions being made in the 19th Century

Things You Can See Within the Castle Grounds

There is much to see and do for the modern-day visitor to Edinburgh Castle. The Great Hall and the Royal Palace are great attractions, but the following are further must-see highlights.

1. Honors of Scotland

The Scottish crown jewels are the oldest in the UK. They include the crown and scepter used in 1543 for the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots.

These precious treasures have been moved and hidden at least twice to prevent them from falling into the hands of invading armies.

In 1707 they were locked away in a chest within the castle and forgotten, before being found again in 1818. They can be viewed as part of an exhibition in the Crown Room on the first floor of the castle’s Royal Palace.

2. Stone of Destiny

Alongside the Honors of Scotland is the Stone of Destiny, Scotland’s coronation stone.

The stone was central to the coronation of Scottish monarchs for centuries until it was taken to London by King Edward I. Here, it became a part of the coronation ceremony for English monarchs. The stone was returned to Scotland in 1996 and sits proudly in the Crown Room.

3. Queen Mary Chamber

Mary Queen of Scots opted for the security of Edinburgh Castle to give birth to her son and successor James in 1566.

These were turbulent times, but the castle walls gave brief respite to a pregnant Mary. The bedchamber where she gave birth to the future King of Scotland and England is open to visitors.

4. National War Memorial

Opened in 1927, the National War Memorial commemorates the fallen from the first world war and subsequent conflicts.

Located on the north side of Crown Square, the memorial was created within the old North Barracks building.

5. Mons Meg

This huge siege cannon dates back to the middle of the 15th century.

Built in Mons in Belgium, it was sent to James II in 1457 to help fight the English. The gun could fire a 150 kg gunstone two miles.

This impressive piece of medieval weaponry is now positioned outside St. Margaret’s Chapel.

6. The One O’Clock Gun

Talking of cannons, Edinburgh Castle is famous for its daily tradition. At one o’clock every day except on Sunday, the 105mm field gun is fired from Mills Battery.

While a great spectacle for visitors today, the daily firing of the gun originally allowed ships to set their maritime clocks. Nowadays it can certainly make you jump if you’re not expecting the boom.

7. The Queen’s Embroideries

Mary Queen of Scots often passed her time in exile sewing embroideries. Replicas of her intricate needlework patterns are presented in the Queen’s Embroideries display in the Royal Palace.

The replicas were created using only techniques and materials of the time.

8. Prisons of War

The castle was also used to hold prisoners of war.

Found in the Dury’s battery, this exhibition recreates the vaults used to house prisoners. Original doors make up part of the exhibition, containing graffiti of names and ships left by prisoners.

9. National War Museum

Opened in 1933, the National War Museum houses a large collection of artifacts, letters, and artworks depicting 400 years of Scottish military history.

The museum is housed in a former storehouse which was also used as a hospital.

First King of Scotland? It Was This Man

In the ninth century, Scotland, as we know it today was still divided along tribal grounds. The Picts ruled over much of the territory north of the Forth, except for the Gaelic kingdom of Dal Riata that extended along the western coast. It was a time when Viking raids were taking their toll. One man stepped forward to unify the Picts and Gaels and create the foundation of modern-day Scotland.

Kenneth MacAlpin became the first King of Scotland in 843 AD. He became King of the Scoti, as the Gaels were known, on the death of his father, and later King of the Picts. The unified land was called the Kingdom of Alba, the origin of modern-day Scotland.

Kenneth MacAlpin has become a legendary figure in Scottish history. In this article, I shall provide the background that facilitated the creation of the Kingdom of Alba. I shall then delve into the life of the man who stepped up to the plate to become the first King of Scotland.

Kenneth MacAlpin, Illustration by Jacob de Wet II

Illustration of Kenneth MacAlpin, by Jacob de Wet II, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Scotland in the 9th Century

The Picts were still the dominant tribe coming into the ninth century They had seen off the Romans centuries before, who failed to add the northern territories to their empire. The Romans called this tribe of fearsome warriors Picti, and the name stuck throughout history. It referred to the blue tattoos the Picts painted on their bodies.

By the ninth century, the Picts had another troublesome invader to deal with the Vikings. Their increasing raids were taking a toll.

This came to a head in 839AD when the King of the Picts and many of the tribe’s nobility were killed by the Vikings in battle.

This created the power vacuum which would draw in the Picts’ Gaelic western coast neighbors and ultimately unite the Picts and the Scoti. The term Scoti was another leftover from the Roman days. It was aimed at the Gaelic clans of Ireland who raided the western coastal areas of Roman Britain.

The Scoti or Scots lived around the area of Argyll in the Kingdom of Dal Riata (source). They were a Gaelic-speaking tribe that originated from Ireland. They did not always see eye to eye with their Pictish neighbors, a situation which led to conflict between the two tribes.

The Scots also had their own Viking issues.

The following video details the rise of Dal Riata following the departure of the Romans from Britain.

However, after the Picts were defeated in 839AD, a King would come to power to merge the two tribes in the face of a common enemy.

The Birth of a Future King

Kenneth MacAlpin was born around 810 AD. It is difficult to pinpoint precise dates from ninth-century Scotland as little recorded information remains.

He was born on the island of Iona, part of the early medieval kingdom of Dal Riata. On today’s map, Dal Riata would comprise much of Argyll and Bute.

MacAlpin was born into a royal line. His father, Alpin, was King of Dal Riata. However, his mother was said to be a Pictish princess. This helped her son’s later claims to become King of the Picts. However, when Kenneth MacAlpin was born the Picts were very much the dominant tribe, against whom his father often fought.

Kenneth MacAlpin is the anglicized version of his name Cinead mac Alpin.

The Western coast of Scotland had long played host to visitors from Ireland. However, traditional folklore says that it was in 500AD that a significant number of settlers from Ireland landed and created the Scottish Kingdom of Dal Riata.

These settlers were led by Fergus Mor Mac Eirc. After withstanding early unwanted attention from their new neighbors, Dal Riata began to strengthen as a kingdom.

These settlers were the Irish Scoti and Fergus Mor Mac Erc was the new King of Dal Riata and King of the Scoti. The term Scot was still some way from being associated with Scotland. However, the future King who began this process would undoubtedly have been taught his ancestral heritage.

Succession to the Throne

Kenneth MacAlpin became King of Dal Riata in 834AD following the death of his father. History suggests King Alpin had won a significant battle against the Picts before his luck ran out.

He was beheaded by the Picts, setting in motion the coronation of Kenneth MacAlpin as the new King of Dal Riata and King of the Scots.

As with much of this period of history, the lines between myth and historical fact become blurred. The legends and storytellers would have it Kenneth MacAlpin’s success was built on his warrior status alone, conquering the Picts and seeing off the Vikings. It was most likely much more subtle, a combination of force and gradual assimilation.

The new king had two fronts to address. There were the Picts to the East and the raiding Vikings to the West. It was these raids that may have made Dal Riata look eastward for more land and security.

Legend has it that Kenneth MacAlpin surged east, taking large areas of Pictish land. This may well have been true, but it may have been from sheer necessity in response to the conquering Vikings.

However, the Vikings were still battering the Pictish lands in the north and northeast.

In 839AD there was a major battle between the Picts and the Vikings. It did not go well for the defending forces. The Picts lost their King and much of their nobility in the battle. Their leadership was suddenly rudderless, and the King of the Scots saw his opportunity.

The island of Iona - birthplace of Kenneth MacAlpin
The birthplace of Kenneth MacAlpin – the beautiful Isle of Iona

A Rival Emerges

Kenneth MacAlpin may have always wanted to add King of the Picts to his list of titles. He may even have believed it was his right on his mother’s side. When the Vikings wiped out the higher echelons of the Pictish nobility, MacAlpin was not going to miss out on his chance. He staked his claim to the recently vacated crown.

Pictland was made up of several tribal kingdoms. Many of the main players lost their lives in the battle of 839AD. However, the surviving members of the Pictish noble lines put forward their claims to be the new King of the Picts. One of these, Drust X, won the crown and instantly became the main rival to Kenneth MacAlpin.

This rivalry only lasted a couple of years. Kenneth MacAlpin was a clever ruler, who knew how to keep opposing parties happy and on board. However, he was also a warrior and ruthless, two essentials of the job for an early medieval king. He was not known as ‘Feeder of the Ravens’ for nothing.

MacAlpin faced off in battle with the new Pictish King in 841AD, defeating his rival. The once dominant Picts were now left between a rock and a hard place.

With no leaders, the advancing Gaelic Scots on the left and the raiding Vikings on the right, they needed a solution. It was time to sit down with their neighbors from Dal Riata for a chat regarding the next King of the Picts.

King of the Scots and Picts

The meeting of the remaining leaders of the two great kingdoms was held in Scone in 843 AD.

Scone was where the Kings of Scotland would be crowned for generations to come. How Kenneth MacAlpin walked away from Scone as King of the Scots and the Picts is shrouded in legend.

MacAlpin’s Treason

According to legend, the wine was very free-flowing at the feast which greeted the attendants at Scone in 843AD. Kenneth MacAlpin was perhaps keeping his head clearer than his rivals to ensure his plot worked.

By the end of the gathering at Scone, all seven of his rivals for the throne, including the recently defeated Drust X, were dead.

Legend has it that they were killed when their rigged benches gave way, dropping them into a pit to be impaled on spikes. This does seem an overly elaborate way to get rid of your rivals for someone who was so recently dominant in battle. It also requires a good deal of engineering effort and time.

However the rival nobles perished, Kenneth MacAlpin now remained as the lone contender for the throne.

Handily, the Pictish law of inheritance allowed for the crown to pass down on the mother’s side. This is where the conjecture on whether MacAlpin’s mother was a Pictish princess or this was a well-crafted story designed for this purpose comes into play for historians.

Either way, Kenneth MacAlpin was crowned King of the Picts at Scone. He was now King of the Scots and King of the Picts. Next up, he just needed to unify the two previously warring tribes.

Standing stone in Scone
A standing stone in Scone, nearby where the leaders of the two great Kingdoms met in 843AD

Uniting the Two Realms

The Scots and the Picts were united against one enemy. It was good timing as a large Viking force raided Dal Riata again from the west. Kenneth MacAlpin moved the precious relics held in Dal Riata inland to be safely held within Pictland (source). The unfortunate consequence was Dal Riata now vanished from the history books.

He rewarded his fellow Gaels from Dal Riata with land in Pictland taken from rebels who had opposed him. However, the new King of the Scots and Picts knew brute force was not always the only answer to a problem. This was particularly true in winning the loyalty of his new Pictish subjects.

Assimilation was key to holding the peace, keeping local tribal leaders happy, and ensuring a long reign. Therefore, the age-old tool of marriage was key. Marrying important Picts to important Scots entwined the two tribes in a way that split loyalties.

It was also a tactic he was not afraid to use to counter the threat of the invading Vikings either. Invaders did not invade purely for treasures they could take back home. They also invaded for land and expansion.

History suggests that the wily MacAlpin was happy to allow the Vikings to retain the land they had conquered. They might then settle, begin labor-intensive farming, and show less desire for future conflict. There would still be skirmishes with the Vikings, but this could be seen as a useful way to keep Picts and Scots united against a common enemy.

Regardless of his claim to the Pictish throne on his mother’s side, there were always going to be rumblings of discontent. Accepting a Gaelic king from the now-vanished Dal Riata was never going to be an easy sell. Using the Vikings as a common enemy was one way of keeping the tribes unified. Looking south was another.

Common enemy number two was the Angles of Northumbria. A raid down south was another tool to show Picts and Scots how much they had in common. Get behind your king and we can all benefit from the booty and pride gained from raiding our common foe.

Legacy

Kenneth MacAlpin ruled as king of the Scots and Picts until he died in 858 AD at Forteviot. He returned to his ancestral home to be buried on the island of Iona.

He was succeeded by his brother Donald I, whose son became King Constantine I four years later. It was the beginning of the reign of the House of MacAlpin, one which lasted until the middle of the 11th century.

The first King of the Scots and Picts true legacy was setting in motion the formation of the Kingdom of Alba by uniting the two previously warring tribes. With the formation of Alba, Pictland went the same way as Dal Riata and vanished from history. In truth, as the Gaels moved East their customs and their Christianity had begun to replace Pictish traditions.

The significance of Alba was that it was not named after a single tribe. It was still some way from being Scotland we know today, but without the unification of the Picts and Scots, it would not have been possible.

Eventually, regions including Strathclyde and Lothian became part of Alba, which would become known as the Kingdom of Scotland.

As the man who initiated the process, Kenneth MacAlpin is recognized in history as the First King of Scotland.

Who Built Balmoral Castle?

Balmoral Castle is well known as the holiday home of the British Royal family.

The castle is located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and was a great favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, who sadly died there on the 8th of September 2022, aged 96.

But who built Balmoral Castle?

Sir William Drummond built Balmoral Castle in 1390. It was rebuilt by Scottish architects John and William Smith as a baronial-style castle after Prince Albert purchased the Balmoral estate in 1852 for Queen Victoria.

Let’s find out more about the design and architecture of Balmoral Castle, along with its longstanding royal history.

The imposing facade of Balmoral Castle

Where is Balmoral Castle?

Balmoral Castle stands within the Cairngorms National Park in Royal Deeside, which is in Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland.

It is nearly fifty miles from Aberdeen, and the area is mountainous with incredible scenery and is near the village of Crathie.

What is the History of Balmoral Castle?

Balmoral Castle was initially built in 1390 by Sir William Drummond.

The estate already had royal connections, as King Robert II of Scotland owned a hunting lodge there.

Balmoral Castle remained in the Drummond family until they sold it to Sir Alexander Gordon, the third Earl of Huntley, sometime during the fifteenth century.

The estate was passed in 1662 to Charles Farquharson of Inverey, a Jacobite sympathizer involved in the rebellions during the 1700s.

James Duff, 2nd Earl of Fife, acquired the property in 1798, leasing the castle to Sir Robert Gordon in 1830.

When Sir Robert Gordon died in 1847, the lease on Balmoral reverted to Lord Aberdeen.

Who Purchased Balmoral Castle for the Royal Family?

Queen Victoria visited Scotland with her husband, Prince Albert, for the first time in 1842, and they both fell in love with the Highlands.

However, they had initially intended to go to Brussels for a summer holiday, but Victoria fell ill, and her advisors thought Scotland would be a suitable alternative.

The royal couple looked for a home there, and the Queen’s physician recommended Deeside as it had a healthier climate compared to other parts of Scotland.

In February 1848, Prince Albert took over the remaining lease on Balmoral without even looking at the property, which included furniture and staff.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert enjoyed staying in Balmoral, and the surrounding hilly landscape reminded them of Albert’s homeland, Thuringia, in Germany.

In 1852, Prince Albert purchased the estate for £32,000, the equivalent of £4.7 million today.

It is estimated by Forbes to now be worth $140 million.

Who Built Balmoral Castle?

The royal couple found Balmoral was too small for their needs, especially with nine children and the need for extra staff.

They commissioned Scottish architect John Smith and his son William Smith to design a new castle, along with cottages, offices, and other ancillary buildings.

Prince Albert actively collaborated with the designs, and construction started in the summer of 1853, with Queen Victoria laying the foundation stone.

They demolished the old property and rebuilt Balmoral Castle in a Scottish Baronial style.

A Victorian photograph of Balmoral Castle seen across the River Dee

When was the Building of Balmoral Castle Completed?

Builders finished the completion of Balmoral Castle in 1856.

William Smith supervised the castle’s building, choosing a new site some 100 yards northwest of the last castle, taking advantage of the fantastic views to the west.

James Beattie, a landscape gardener, also made improvements to the gardens, woodlands, and estate buildings with the help and assistance of the artist James Giles.

What Was the Construction and Design of Balmoral Castle?

The construction material of the new Balmoral Castle was local granite, a specialty of the architect William Smith.

Smith organized the castle into two sections, each of which revolved around a courtyard space.

The northeastern block contains the service wings, while the southwestern block consists of the main rooms.

The architectural style of Balmoral Castle is typically Scottish and Baronial, and it is classified as a Category A building by Historic Environment Scotland.

But the most eye-catching feature is the 24-meter-high (80 feet) turreted clock tower, a style typical in the Middle Ages.

However, although these turrets evoke the idea of earlier times, the overall architecture of Balmoral Castle doesn’t reflect the practicality of medieval castles.

The castle’s broad and low windows signify that it was built for luxury, not security, as the royal couple did not need to defend themselves from any enemies.

Who Owns Balmoral Castle?

Queen Elizabeth II privately owned Balmoral Castle, which is not part of the Crown Estate.

The Scottish residence now passes to King Charles III, who could transform the castle into a museum.

How Many Rooms Does Balmoral Castle Have?

Balmoral Castle has 775 rooms, including one ballroom, 92 offices, a swimming pool, and a large number of reception rooms.

The monarch uses one such reception room for receiving guests for official visits and is where Queen Elizabeth II appointed her last Prime Minister, Liz Truss.

What Does the Ballroom at Balmoral Look Like?

The ballroom in Balmoral Castle is a Highlands-style masterclass with dark wood beams on the ceiling, gigantic chandeliers, trefoil designs, mounted stag heads and an orchestral pit.

Displayed on the walls are paintings by Edwin Landseer (an English painter well known for his paintings of animals) and Carl Haag (a Bavarian-born painter who became court painter to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha).

The ballroom is most famous for holding the annual Ghillie Ball, a tradition started by Queen Victoria in 1852 to thank her staff for their excellent service.

How Many Bathrooms and Bedrooms Does Balmoral Castle Have?

Balmoral Castle has 78 bathrooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, and 188 staff bedrooms.

The guest bedrooms are all on the ground floor.

What is the Interior Like in Balmoral Castle?

Illustrations of the rooms from Queen Victoria’s time give a sense of what they looked like during this era.

The rooms featured patterned wall coverings, plaid upholstery, carved wood cabinets, fire screens, and framed landscapes with plenty of candelabra.

A study belonging to Prince Albert denotes plaid carpeting, green wallpaper dotted with white blossoms, and pretty white floral fabrics.

Albert wanted the interiors of Balmoral to have Highland details like chintzes and tartan, with weapons and trophies adorning the walls.

The castle has kept much of the original decor.

Many of the rooms in Balmoral today are decorated in different shades of green with mirror-topped marble fireplaces, many leather-bound books, and upholstered chairs with box-pleated skirts.

How Many Buildings are on the Balmoral Estate?

There are 150 buildings on the Balmoral Estate, and Prince Albert was deeply involved in the design of many of them, including the main farmhouse.

After Albert died in 1861 from typhoid fever, aged 42, Queen Victoria built a series of cottages.

These included Garden Cottage, where Queen Victoria would often have breakfast in the morning or spend afternoons working on state papers, correspondence, and writing in her journals.

Victoria gave a cottage to her Indian secretary, Abdul Karim, later known as Karim Cottage, after her devoted ‘Munshi.’

She built Baile-na-Coille for her servant, John Brown, but it was incomplete at the time of his death in 1883.

What Other Homes are on the Balmoral Estate?

Craigowan Lodge

Other homes on the Balmoral estate include the seven-bedroom Craigowan Lodge at Birkhall.

Prince Albert purchased the Lodge in 1849 and set it aside exclusively for his son, Prince Edward the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII.

After King George V inherited Balmoral, he lent Craigowan Lodge to his second son and his wife, the Duke, and Duchess of York (parents of Queen Elizabeth II). They enjoyed spending time there with their daughters.

On the death of King George VI, his wife, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, returned to Birkhall until she died in 2002.

In 2005, Prince Charles (now King Charles III) spent his honeymoon at Craigowan Lodge after marrying Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

Tam-na-Ghar

Tam-na-Ghar is a modest three-bedroomed cottage in Birkhall used by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The home is steeped in secrecy as there are no publicly accessible images of the building’s inside or outside.

Prince William inherited Tam-na-Ghar as a present from Elizabeth the Queen Mother and would often holiday there with Kate Middleton before they married.

What is the Balmoral Bridge?

The Balmoral Bridge crosses the River Dee from Balmoral to the village of Crathie and is the earliest plate-girder bridge in Scotland.

The building of the Balmoral Bridge occurred in 1857 under the guidance of Prince Albert, designed by notable engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

However, Queen Victoria did not like the completed plate girder structure because it lacked ornamentation and was said to be “not amused!”

Members of the royal family have regularly used the bridge to cross the Dee to church services at nearby Crathie Kirk since Queen Victoria’s reign.

How Big are the Grounds at Balmoral?

The castle stands on the Balmoral estate, located within the Cairngorms National Park, and covers a staggering 50,000 acres.

Initially, the estate had only 6350 acres.

The topography comprises mountains, forests, grouse moors, lochs, arable pastures, green areas, and formal gardens.

Balmoral is also a working estate active in wood production and farming, with managed herds of Highland cattle, ponies, and deer.

Grouse shooting and deer stalking all take place within the grounds.

The royal family enjoys participating in outdoor activities such as horse riding, hiking, hunting, fishing, picnicking, and barbecuing while at Balmoral.

The grounds have an abundance of wildlife, including grouse, deer, Scottish wild cats, golden eagles, and the endangered red squirrel.

Who Started the Gardens at Balmoral?

The gardens at Balmoral started under the supervision of Prince Albert and have been continually improved and expanded by successive members of the Royal Family.

Albert planted trees, including exotic conifers, and five miles of walks for his wife, Queen Victoria, to enjoy.

In 1923, Queen Mary, wife of King George V, added a flower garden to the south of Balmoral Castle, which included a sunken garden and a fountain featuring a capstan in the middle of it.

Prince Phillip was later a significant innovator in planting many trees and shrubs.

Phillip created a water garden, additional walking paths, and a sizeable and productive kitchen garden, which produces vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs.

The formal gardens, which also feature greenhouses and a conservatory, are spread over three acres and are where the royal family can relax on pleasant days.

A team of around eight gardeners look after the gardens, designed to be in full flower from August to October when the Royal Family is in residence.

What Memorials are at Balmoral Castle?

Eleven stone cairns stand at Balmoral Castle as memorials to members of the Royal Family, with the majority erected by Queen Victoria.

A year after Prince Albert’s death, Queen Victoria had a pyramid-shaped cairn erected at the top of Craig Lurachain, chosen for its fine views, in memory of the Prince Consort.

The cairn stands at a height of 35 feet, so, as Queen Victoria wrote in her journal, “it could be seen all down the valley.”

She also erected a bronze cast of Albert in 1867. A later statue of Queen Victoria was placed nearby, with them facing each other.

Victoria also erected a statue in 1883 of her Scottish personal attendant, John Brown.

However, her son King Edward VII, who disliked Brown, moved it to another site after the Queen’s death.

You can also see a life-sized statue of Queen Victoria’s dear and faithful dog, Noble, who died in 1887 aged 16 years.

Can You Visit Balmoral Castle?

You can visit Balmoral Castle from April to July each year when the Royal Family is not in residence.

However, despite being a popular tourist attraction, only the ballroom exhibition is open to tourists, displaying pictures of other rooms in the castle.

The admission price includes an audio tour that guides visitors around the formal and production gardens and exhibitions in the stable block.

Visitors can also enjoy way-marked walks, gift shops, and a spacious cafe and restaurant.

References

Historic Environment Scotland – Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle: National Architecture in a European Context