Celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee with a walk through Scotland’s splendid Balmoral Estate and other nearby locations cherished by the Royal Family, writes Fergal MacErlean
WALK: Royal Deeside and Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire
The magnificent Balmoral Estate has been the much-loved Scottish residence of the Royal Family since 1852. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the estate after becoming captivated by the landscape of Deeside, noting that all “seemed to breathe freedom and peace”.
Set in Aberdeenshire around the River Dee and between the beautiful villages of Banchory and Braemar, much of Royal Deeside overlaps the mountainous and wildlife-rich Cairngorms National Park. In June you can see Scotch argus butterflies, red squirrels and fleet-footed pine martens.
Jubilee events taking place at Balmoral include pipe bands, a birds of prey display and a special afternoon tea in the Piper’s Hall, where live coverage of the nation’s celebrations will be shown. Also on view is a ‘Life at Balmoral’ exhibition and a selection of the dresses worn by Her Majesty the Queen at her country residence.
BALMORAL BY BOOT
The very best way to experience Royal Deeside is on foot, just as the Queen herself does. There are lots of magisterial walking routes to choose from. This one leads by the extensive grounds of the white granite-façaded Balmoral Castle and on through part of the surrounding 20,200-hectare estate. Made up of farmland, lochs, grouse moors and mountains, the purchase of Balmoral by Queen Victoria helped her shape an image of the royal couple as country gentry rather than remote royalty.
Queen Elizabeth II traditionally spends her summers here in this private residence. As a lover of country life, she can often be seen walking the estate grounds clad in a tweed skirt, a practical weather-proof jacket and her trademark headscarf.
The Queen finds Balmoral a haven away from her busy working life down south. It is a place where the Queen’s family and friends can be entertained in peace and privacy.
1 RIVER AND PINE
Start from the Crathie car park (charge in summer season) to cross the mighty River Dee and carry on uphill to take the first right, signed Royal Lochnagar Distillery. This leads to the village of Easter Balmoral. Turn right, then first
