Balmoral Castle
Scottish residence of His Majesty The King and all monarchs since Victoria.
The Estates Office, Balmoral Estates, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5TB
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
During the autumn / winter tours mobility scooters are not available. However there is accessible parking by the Estate Office.
Accessible toilets available and assistance dogs welcome.
The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and can be found at the foot of the wall adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch.
Before the foundation stone was placed in position Queen Victoria signed a parchment recording the date. This parchment, together with an example of each of the current coins of the realm, was then placed in a bottle, inserted into a cavity below the site prepared for the stone.
The Castle was completed in 1856 and the old building was then demolished. This building is commemorated by a stone which is located on the front lawn at a point opposite the tower and about 100 yards from the path. This stone marks the position of the front door to the demolished castle.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Balmoral Castle & Estate is a historic and scenic destination located in the Scottish Highlands, serving as the Highland home of the British Royal Family since 1852. Visitors can explore the estate's gardens, grounds, and castle, and enjoy various activities and amenities.
Opening Times
The estate has specific opening times and conditions:
- From late January to late March, the grounds, gift shop, and restaurant are open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on certain dates. Admission is free during this period.
- From March 28, 2026, the estate will extend its hours to 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, continuing through the summer season.
- The estate is closed from August 10 to September 30 annually.
Attractions and Activities
- Gardens and Grounds: Open for exploration with seasonal highlights and a new Thistle Maze garden.
- Castle Interior Guided Tours: Available during the spring and summer of 2026, offering exclusive access to the castle's interior.
- Expedition Tours: Land Rover tours across the estate, available year-round but weather-dependent in winter.
- Audio Guide Tours: Self-guided tours available during the summer season.
- Dining: A restaurant offering locally sourced meals, with options for all dietary needs, and a takeaway hatch for quick bites.
- Events: Includes the annual RunBalmoral event, scheduled for April 4-5, 2026.
Additional Information
Parking is available near the estate, with special provisions for disabled visitors and coaches. Visitors are encouraged to keep dogs on leads and maintain cleanliness in the gardens. Exclusive dining experiences and rental cottages are also offered for a unique stay at Balmoral.
For a detailed schedule and ticketing information, visitors are advised to check the estate's calendar and booking options.
Historic House members are admitted free, but need to contact the castle in advance – see details here.
Adults: £17.50
Children (5 to 16 years): £9
Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children): £38
Parking costs £5.
For autumn / winter opening groups can purchase parking ticket in the car park at Crathie (£10 charge at machine) or we can make arrangements for the coach to come through to park by the Estates Office (£25 charge at Estates Office / Gift Shop or can be paid in advance). If you wish to make the payment in advance of your visit please give us a call with card details and we can process the charges for you.
For further informaion please contact us by email on [email protected] or by telephone 01339 742534.
During the autumn / winter tours mobility scooters are not available. However there is accessible parking by the Estate Office.
Accessible toilets available and assistance dogs welcome.
Getting here
The Estates Office, Balmoral Estates, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5TB
Balmoral is easy to find halfway between Ballater and Braemar on the A93. The nearest railway station and airport are located in Aberdeen, approximately 50 miles east of Balmoral.
To arrive by public transport please use the 201 Stagecoach service from Aberdeen.
When Queen Victoria died in 1901 Balmoral Estates passed, under the terms of her will, to King Edward VII, and from him to each of his successors. Balmoral Estates has been more than just a favourite home to successive generations of the Royal Family.
Although it remains largely the same as it was in Queen Victoria’s reign, successive Royal owners have followed the initiative of Prince Albert in making improvements to the estate. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales take a close personal interest in running and improving the Estates.
The Queen plants a tree for the Jubilee at Balmoral
As announced by the Royal Household, Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will mark the start of the official planting season for The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) at the Balmoral Estate on Friday, 1st...
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