This was our second day in Braemar........and another does of Scottish sunshine! There is a bit of a challenge here as we are tackling the last week of our trip in the second wee of June! Memory details start to blur with this much traveling. We will, how
ever, take a deep breath and give this a shot because this area was one of our favorite places on the trip. The hotel was very special, the town was picturesque and the landscape and scenery was a special treat.
We had breakfast down in the dining room. I could not resist the full Scottish breakfast again, while Andrea had something much more sensible - poached eggs on 'soldier' toasts. We also couldn't resist a quick walk before breakfast. The hotel sits at a bridge in town on the banks of a beautiful river.......and the early morning sun was worth a few pictures!
The primary event of the day was to visit Balmoral Castle. We had an appointment at 11:30, so could take our time driving there as we were only 15 minutes away. We grabbed a quick synopsis of the internet......below:
Balmoral Castle: A Scottish Royal Residence
Balmoral Castle is a stunning Scottish castle located in Aberdeenshire. The castle is a popular tourist attraction and has been a favorite residence of the British Royal Family since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased it in 1852. It also was the summer retreat of the late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
The story of Balmoral's royal legacy traces back to 1852 when Prince Albert, the beloved husband of Queen Victoria, acquired the estate along with its original castle from the Farquharson family. Shortly thereafter, it became evident that the existing house could no longer accommodate the royal family's needs, prompting the commissioning of the current Balmoral Castle.
This architectural masterpiece was brought to life through the skilled craftsmanship of William Smith from Aberdeen, with Prince Albert's personal touch on the designs. It's worth noting that Balmoral remains the private property of the reigning monarch and is not part of the Crown Estate. Throughout the years, it has served as a cherished summer residence, most recently by Queen Elizabeth II, who peacefully passed away there on September 8, 2022.
Visitors to Balmoral Castle can explore the Castle Ballroom, which is open to the public during the summer months. This is a beautifully decorated room which currently has an exhibition of His Majesty the King’s watercolor paintings. Visitors can also take a stroll around the beautiful gardens and woodland trails, which are home to a variety of flora and fauna.
The Balmoral Estate has grown over time, with successive members of the royal family expanding its boundaries. Today, it sprawls across approximately 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of land, making it a dynamic working estate encompassing grouse moors, thriving forestry, productive farmland, and carefully managed herds of deer, Highland cattle, sheep, and ponies.
But the photos for the day start in Braemar at the hotel and then our drive along the River Dee.
The Bar outside the main dining room
The main Living Room / Lounge. As we mentioned, the owners are passionate art collectors and commissioned the mural on the ceiling.
It was a bit of a walk from the parking area into the castle grounds.......but the woods and gardens were stunning. The gardens are 'working' gardens and they grow all the produce that is served to the royal family and guests. It is quite an operation!
A pergola leading to a field with a cottage......very popular when the formality of the castle became a bit too much!
Inside the castle in the ballroom there was a wonderful exhibit of King Charles's watercolors. It was great fun to see his work........but not photography allowed!
After our coffee break we took a long walk back to the car along the River Dee.
Back in town we found a rally fun local café for lunch.
One of the views from our room at FifeArms.
Another view......a very fun courtyard.
Nice idea......they bring our menus out into the cocktail lounge for us to review while we are having drinks. You make your order and they come to get you when the appetizers are ready to serve!
Also amazing......when was the last time you had a drink underneath a million dollar Picasso painting?
