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, offering a variety of attractions and activities for visitors. Below is a detailed summary of the opening times and available experiences:
General Opening Times
The grounds, gift shop, and restaurant are currently closed to the public and will reopen on 28 January 2026. From this date until 22 March 2026, these facilities will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on specific dates. Admission during this period is free, but parking fees apply. From 28 March 2026, the opening hours will extend to 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Special Events and Tours
- RunBalmoral 2026: Scheduled for 4th and 5th April 2026, this is a family-friendly running festival.
- Castle Interior Guided Tours: Available during the spring and summer of 2026, these exclusive tours offer a glimpse into the castle's interior.
- Golf: The estate features a nine-hole golf course, with corporate golf days available in May, June, and July 2026.
Dining and Shopping
The restaurant offers a variety of meals, including options for dietary requirements and outdoor seating for visitors with dogs. The gift shop provides a curated collection of souvenirs and exclusive items.
Accessibility
Parking is available for £5 per day, with disabled parking provided upon request. Dogs are welcome on the grounds but must be kept on a lead.
Additional Information
Visitors can enjoy self-guided audio tours, guided expedition tours, and the scenic gardens. The estate also features a new Thistle Maze garden and offers opportunities for wildlife observation.
For a complete schedule of opening times and events, please refer to the detailed calendar provided above.
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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