Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first leased the Balmoral estate in 1848 and purchased it in 1850. On their first visit the queen recorded her impression: ‘It is a pretty little Castle, in the old Scotch style…In front are a nice lawn & garden, with a high wooded hill behind, & at the back, there is a wood. The hills rise all around.’ This painting shows the old Castle which was later demolished and rebuilt. Balmoral remains in royal ownership and Queen Elizabeth II often spent the summer months at the Castle.

My gifts were…views of Balmoral & Lochnagar painted by Giles…Dear Albert was so pleased with all I had given him which made me so happy.

Queen Victoria’s Journal, 24 December 1848

From Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, Christmas 1848