BALMORAL CASTLE

Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, designed in Scottish baronial style, 185356. private residence of the British sovereign, on the right bank of the River Dee, Grampian region, Scotland, at 926 feet (282 m) above sea level. After its acquisition (1852) by Albert, the prince consort (husband of Queen Victoria), the small castle then on the land was replaced in 185356 by the modern granite building, designed in Scottish baronial style. Queen Victoria and successive sovereigns have used the castle as a summer residence and for grouse shooting on the local moors, visiting the competitive Scottish sports assembly known as the Highland Games (held locally at Braemar), and attending the parish church of Crathie, 1.5 miles (2.5 km) to the east.