Royals
Scottish Balmoral Castle opens to tourists for the first time
Balmoral Castle is one of the royal family residences where Queen Elizabeth II traditionally spent the summer months. photo
© Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/dpa
It is considered the “happy place” of the British royals: Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Now commoners can also experience how the royal family lives there – at a high price.
For the first time, tourists can visit some areas of Balmoral Castle Visit Scotland, used by the British Royal Family. The guided tours are offered between July 1st and August 4th, before King Charles III. and his wife Queen Camilla traditionally spend their summer holidays on the estate in the Scottish Highlands.
However, given the high prices, the “travel through time”, as the administration calls the tours, is only an option for a few visitors. A tour with a maximum of ten participants costs 100 pounds (116.70 euros) per person; a tour including “afternoon tea”, which includes tea and sandwiches, costs 150 pounds. A maximum of 40 tickets are available each day. Some dates are already sold out.
The royals care about Balmoral
The royals have a close connection to Balmoral Castle, which belongs to the monarch personally. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, bought the property in 1852 and had a new, larger building built. The original castle was demolished. Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spent many weeks here every summer and also went on hikes in the area. She died at the property on September 8, 2022.
It is the first time since the castle was completed in 1855 that private tours have been offered, the administration said. Tourists have been able to visit Balmoral for a long time. However, entry is limited to the gardens and park as well as the ballroom. This year, entry is possible from May 4th to August 11th.