Building record MAB32119 - BALMORAL CASTLE
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Summary
Castle, in residential use, built in 1856 by William Smith of Aberdeen (under the direction of Prince Albert) on the site of an earlier castle.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (A) 51460
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NO 2543 9506 (149m by 148m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NO29NE |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Crathie and Braemar |
Type and Period (6)
Full Description
Castle, in residential use, built in 1856 by William Smith of Aberdeen (under the direction of Prince Albert) on the site of an earlier castle. Balmoral Castle has been a residence of the British Royal Family since 1852, when the original house was purchased by Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert. Soon after the estate was purchased the existing house was found to be too small. It was demolished, and the current Balmoral Castle was completed in 1856 by the architect William Smith of Aberdeen, although his designs were amended by Prince Albert. The new castle was built in the Scottish Baronial style, of light grey granite, in a severe but elegant simplicity. The outstanding feature is the tower. There are fountains and statues set around the castle (NO29NE0054, NO29NE0055, NO29NE0057, NO29NE0058).
Period Notes
Built 1852-56; ironworks ballroom 1851; Garden Cottage from 1850s, rebuilt as apartments 1890s; pyramid memorial 1862; alterations and other work on estate 1902; decoration and minor alterations for George V 1911-12; gates and garden work 1922; recreation and visitor centre 1986-91.
AAS/92/1/CT15, AAS/92/1/CT15 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19544.
Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 01/05/81 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.
LEITH-HAY, A, 1849, CASTELLATED ARCHITECTURE OF ABERDEENSHIRE, pp 65 - 6 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1052.
McCONNACHIE, AL, 1898, THE ROYAL DEE, 63-5 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1136.
GRAHAM, C, 1981, GRAMPIAN: THE CASTLE COUNTRY (2ND ED), 9-10 (Bibliographic reference). SAB598.
SCOTTISH MONUMENTS SURVEY, 1990, JAMES GILES - ABERDEENSHIRE CASTLES, p.18 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1738.
Aug 11 1984 , AAS/84/13/R28/5-6, AAS/84/13/R28/5-6 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15171.
Dec 18 2006 , AAS/06/4/DG0997, AAS/06/4/DG0997 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19160.
Feb 10 2011 , AAS/2011/1/DG2974-7, AAS/2011/1/DG2974-7 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13184.
Jul 13 1993 , AAS/93/11/G23/6,7, AAS/93/11/G23/6,7 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15172.
Mar 28 2016 , AAS-GR-16-03-326 - 382, AAS-GR-16-03-326 - 382 (Ground Photograph). SAB35529.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Listed Building Number: 51460;
- NMR Card Number: NO29NE15;
- NRHE Numlink: 31144;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NO29NE0023;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB51460 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/31144 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (11)
- --- SAB1052 Bibliographic reference: LEITH-HAY, A. 1849. CASTELLATED ARCHITECTURE OF ABERDEENSHIRE. pp 65 - 6.
- --- SAB1136 Bibliographic reference: McCONNACHIE, AL. 1898. THE ROYAL DEE. 63-5.
- --- SAB13184 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 10 2011 . AAS/2011/1/DG2974-7. Digital. AAS/2011/1/DG2974-7.
- --- SAB1416 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. . PRESS & JOURNAL. 01/05/81.
- --- SAB15171 Air-oblique Photograph: Aug 11 1984 . AAS/84/13/R28/5-6. Black & White. AAS/84/13/R28/5-6.
- --- SAB15172 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 13 1993 . AAS/93/11/G23/6,7. Black & White. AAS/93/11/G23/6,7.
- --- SAB1738 Bibliographic reference: SCOTTISH MONUMENTS SURVEY. 1990. JAMES GILES - ABERDEENSHIRE CASTLES. p.18.
- --- SAB19160 Air-oblique Photograph: Dec 18 2006 . AAS/06/4/DG0997. DG. AAS/06/4/DG0997.
- --- SAB19544 Air-oblique Photograph: AAS/92/1/CT15. Colour Transparency. AAS/92/1/CT15.
- --- SAB35529 Ground Photograph: Mar 28 2016 . AAS-GR-16-03-326 - 382. Digital. AAS-GR-16-03-326 - 382.
- --- SAB598 Bibliographic reference: GRAHAM, C. 1981. GRAMPIAN: THE CASTLE COUNTRY (2ND ED). 9-10.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Feb 3 2026 11:28AM
