Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made their first visit to Scotland in 1842. Six years later they purchased the lease of Balmoral, a Deeside estate, and set about rebuilding the castle which was completed in 1856. Work on the grounds began in 1855 and Prince Albert was actively involved, especially as he found the Scottish landscape to be ‘very German-looking’. New avenues, roads, plantations and banks were added but the gardens proper were not on the same scale as other royal residences.

Discover the stories behind Balmoral's gardens in the Royal Collection by clicking on the items below.