Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle, the favourite Highland residence of Queen Victoria, in the parish of Crathie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the river Dee, 52-1/2 miles W. of Aberdeen. The spot was visited by the Queen and Prince Albert in their first Scottish tour, and it pleased them so much that Prince Albert in 1848S bought the lease of the estate, and four years later acquired the fee-simple from the trustees of the Duke of Fife for a sum of £32,000. A new house was forthwith erected, consisting of two blocks united by wings with a lofty tower and turret, the whole being built of massive granite. The nearest railway station is Ballater, nine miles distant, whence the journey to London is 572 miles.