Balmoral and Crathie: Royal Deeside
Grampian and Tayside, Scotland
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250
XP
1 day
Balmoral and Crathie: Royal Deeside
250 XP
Prince Albert bought Balmoral in 1852 and rebuilt it in granite between 1853 and 1856 to designs by William Smith of Aberdeen. The grounds open to visitors in spring and early summer and again in autumn, and since 2024 small guided groups have been able to tour some of the rooms on set autumn dates. Across the Dee, Crathie Kirk is where the royal family worships when at Balmoral, as every monarch has since Queen Victoria began coming in 1848; she laid the foundation stone of the present church in 1893. The Royal Lochnagar Distillery is a short walk away.
Required Activities
1
of 3
Visit Balmoral Castle, which Prince Albert bought in 1852 and rebuilt in granite between 1853 and 1856 to designs by William Smith of Aberdeen; book a guided tour of the rooms if you come on one of the autumn tour dates
2
of 3
Tour the Royal Lochnagar Distillery at Crathie, near Balmoral
3
of 3
Visit Crathie Kirk, the church the royal family attends when at Balmoral
Visit Balmoral Castle, which Prince Albert bought in 1852 and rebuilt in granite between 1853 and 1856 to designs by William Smith of Aberdeen; book a guided tour of the rooms if you come on one of the autumn tour dates
Tour the Royal Lochnagar Distillery at Crathie, near Balmoral
Visit Crathie Kirk, the church the royal family attends when at Balmoral
Before you go
Balmoral's grounds open from April to July and again from late September to December; interior tours run on set autumn dates and must be booked.
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XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
250 XP
Potential total
250 XP
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