King charles iii carries on balmoral tradition as scotland estate evolves
For over 170 years, the British royal Family has spent their summers at Balmoral Castle, a private estate in Scotland's Highlands. This year marks King Charles III and Queen Camilla's turn to follow the tradition, arriving in August and staying through early autumn, much like their predecessors since Queen Victoria first fell in love with the Highlands in the 1840s.
Balmoral's history and layout
Balmoral Castle is the personal property of the reigning monarch, passed down as an inheritance. Queen Elizabeth II inherited it from her father, King George VI, and King Charles III got it upon her death in 2022. The estate covers approximately 50,000 acres, making it roughly 60 times the size of New York City's Central Park. Within those acres are forests, grouse moors, deer hills, farmland, the River Dee, and more than 150 outbuildings and cottages.
The castle itself is constructed entirely from locally quarried granite, giving it a distinctive silver-grey color. Inside, the Victorian-era interiors feature tartan carpets, plaid upholstery, antler mounts, thistle carvings, and paintings of the Highland landscape.
How balmoral became a royal estate
The land along the River Dee had been home to a small castle since at least the 14th century, passing through the hands of Scottish noble families before a series of English leaseholders improved the grounds. In 1842, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert were captivated by the Highlands during their first visit and began leasing the Balmoral estate for their summer stays.
In 1852, Albert purchased the estate for £32,000, reportedly as a gift for Victoria. The existing castle was deemed too small, so Albert commissioned a new one with Aberdeen architect William Smith. The finished castle, which still stands today, was completed in 1856. Victoria laid the foundation stone herself in 1853, sealing coins and a signed parchment beneath it.
Royal traditions at balmoral
The royal Family's stay follows a loose but recognizable structure, built around a few traditions that have remained almost unchanged since Victorian times. The most public is the Braemar Gathering, the annual Highland Games held on the first Saturday of September in the nearby village of Braemar. Events include the caber toss, hammer throw, tug of war, and foot races.
Inside the castle, the social centerpiece is the Ghillies Ball, a tradition Queen Victoria began in 1852 to thank the estate staff. It takes place in Balmoral's grand ballroom. The family also attends Sunday services at Crathie Kirk, a small Church of Scotland parish church about a mile and a half from the castle gates, as they have done since Queen Victoria's time.
Changes under king charles iii
However, each August, the estate still draws the royal family north, the same way it always has. Limited public tours now allow visitors inside the main castle for the first time in history. King Charles has also introduced new sustainability and heritage garden projects. But the essence of Balmoral remains the same: a private royal retreat that has captivated generations of British monarchs.