Balmoral Castle, painted by
Queen Victoria in 1854 during its construction
Balmoral Castle is a large mansion built by Queen Victoria in the Scottish baronial style on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, current (as of 2004) summer residence of Queen Elizabeth II, who stays there for 12 weeks from August. It is built of granite and dominated by a square tower and circular turret.
The estate is approximately 60,000 acres (243 km²) in size and includes several small villages, two of which are inhabited entirely by staff of the estate.
Under the direction of the Prince of Wales, the castle is self sufficient in terms of food production, when the Queen is in residence.
See also
List of Castles in Scotland
Other royal residences: Buckingham Palace, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Location of Balmoral Castle in North East
ScotlandExternal link
