Balmoral Castle is a historic Scottish home that has been owned by the British Royal Family since the 19th century. It is a significant landmark not just for the monarchy, but for the entire country – Queen Elizabeth II’s final public photo was taken there, surrounded by family and with a fireplace burning in the background.
Recently, BBC Scotland was given the opportunity to preview a new tour of Balmoral Castle, which allows members of the public to see previously unseen areas of the building. Demand was high for tickets, which cost £100 and sold out within 24 hours of being released.
The tour begins at the castle’s impressive porte cochere, a grand entrance that was once large enough for horse-drawn carriages to pass through. From there, visitors are taken through the entrance hall, where the walls are lined with stuffed stag heads and a bronze statue of Malcolm of Canmore takes pride of place. Queen Victoria, who left her mark on the castle, is also commemorated with a bust.
The castle is grand, yet homey, and visitors are given a glimpse into the personal lives of the Royals as they entertain guests and dine together. The main dining room is adorned with portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, while the drapes are made of the Royal Stewart tartan. Visitors are also taken to the family dining room, which is used for breakfast and afternoon teas, and the drawing room, where the last public photo of the late Queen was taken.
The library is King Charles’ working study, where he hosts meetings with dignitaries, and features books on Scottish history and highland clans. Outside, the gardens have been updated with hundreds of saplings planted by King Charles himself, and there is also a thistle maze open to the public.
Balmoral Castle is an important piece of Scottish and British history, and the tour provides visitors with a unique opportunity to see the Royal Family’s personal lives and traditions. The tours run from July 1st to August 4th
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