Balmoral Castle - Home to the Royal Family

Balmoral Castle from the drive

Balmoral Castle is only open from April to July each year, due the the Royal Family being in residence, and a few weeks ago I was staying near by so I thought I'd pop along and have a look.  It's really geared up for tourists, providing a little bus from the ticket office to the main entrance where audio guides can be collected to take around with you.  I meandered around the grounds following the route and exploring the gardens (working on the principle I'd soon be moved on if I strayed somewhere I shouldn't)!

Ornate greenhouse

The larger glass houses couldn't be entered but seemed to be full of flowers and these are used in the Castle when the family are in residence.  Gardeners may be pleased to note that the Queen also has greenfly on her plants!

The Deer Larder

The Balmoral Estate is still a fully working enterprise with deer to be managed, salmon fishing on the river and a few holiday cottages available for rent. Not to forget the huge enterprise of being a visitor attraction as part of the Victorian Heritage Trail in Royal Deeside. 

Bluebells in the wooded areas beyond the arches

Wandering under arches that were yet to bloom and passed a shed with a grass top, the delightful Garden Cottage with ornate chimney pots can be explored.

Garden Cottage

I did like the Garden Cottage which had been used as a hospital in the past, and here I could peer through the windows and admire the furnishings and grandeur of how the other half lives!  Around the back of the cottage are the water gardens - an area that seemed devoid of other visitors!

Chimney pots on Garden Cottage

The Castle is a fairly stunning building and I would have loved to have a look inside but only the ballroom was open to visitors and this is full of displays on the Royals.  No photography is allowed inside for security reasons! But a small sunken square formal garden provided a nice photograph (everyone walked around the top) but no signs said I couldn't go in it.

Part of the formal gardens in front of the Castle

Finally I made my way back to the entrance, not stopping at the shop or cafe (something I regretted later) before heading down to the Old Royal Ballater Station for a peek!

Glen Tanar. Aberdeenshire

Occasionally I do a blog of something 'off island' and this is one of those (but you will note its still in Scotland).  I recently stayed at Glen Tanar in Aberdeenshire, a small estate tucked nicely into the Royal Deeside area and another haven for wildlife (Eagles, Osprey, Black Grouse, Deer).

An area seeped in history with plenty of historic sites and interesting architecture.

Like Arran there is plenty of walking around on mixed low and high level paths, and it has to be said that even in May there was snow on the tops.  But I was here for a bit of R & R, so didn't plan any major mountain excursions.

The Gnome house

Wandering around the many marked and easy going paths I came across this little building which I nick-named the Gnome house (for no reason whatsoever).  At the side of the 'Water of Tanar' I could see it had been some type of pump, fallen into disrepair.  A conversation or two later and I understand it was a turbine that helped provide the power for the little church nearby (Chapel of St. Lesmo) and the organ.

Scenic Trout Loch

I decided to take an evening land rover safari through the Estate, escorted by Mike the Ranger and we bumped and climbed up forest tracks, through some amazing woodland and ancient forest.  The deer frequently skirted our path and cross the track - always scampering away as soon as the camera got anywhere near.

Views across the valley at dusk.

Not that I expected to get any great images going out in drizzle as the light was fading.  But that tends to be when wildlife is quite active and I was really wanting to scout the area for future visits.

The Estate is known for Ospreys, hen harriers and eagles.

The Osprey nest (seriously cropped image using a 400mm lens) was visible in the distance with 'mum' low down on the eggs.  We keep our distance so as not to disturb this fabulous bird at such a crucial time of breeding.

A small amount of cloud inversion as the last of the light faded.

Every time I asked to stop, Mike obliged and I took the odd snap to try to capture the quiet feel of the evening as the temperatures dropped and light faded.

'Luxury'

And a surprise hamper appeared with some biscuits made by 'Liz' and lots of hot coffee before we moved on.  Beats my old camping stove that I use for my clients - think I may have to upgrade!

Sky lights

But the night drew in and we managed to have a quick look at a few spots before returning back to the main Estate. Including a little spot called the 'traveller's rest'. A small area, where there are stones to sit on and little carvings in the rocks (a feature across the estate to be looked out for).

 And as you can imagine it was placed at a point just after a steep section of track (depending on whether you were going up or down).

The land rover stopped at the 'Rest'

I found the Estate peaceful and welcoming, I will be going back.  And for anyone looking for a big wedding venue (over 100) just look at where they hold the ceremony (Ballroom).

The Ballroom at Glen Tanar House 

On and off the Island (Days 112 - 122)

The last 10 days have been quite different to my normal routine as I managed to slip off the island for a few days - not that I was without my camera.  The aim of going away was to capture an annual event but more of that later. It's been such a hectic time I'm struggling to remember what I did and the photo's provide useful reminders.

Day 112 - A quick snap in my garden of the song thrush, mouth stuffed with bugs (hopefully for chicks in the nest).

Day 113 - A tiny wren has a huge voice but doesn't stay out in the open very long, preferring to dart into the undergrowth at the merest hint of a camera. I think I'll have to get my hide out to capture closer images of this one.

Day 114 - And a full day photography tour saw my little group battling hazy grey weather as we circumnavigated the island.  Stopping in Catacol to capture the Apostles cottages.  Luckily we stayed dry and we did get some lovely shots over the day.

Day 115 - It's raining again and delicate woodland flowers droop under the weight of water and I'm preoccupied with packing.  My bag is full of chargers and technical stuff (along with a hot water bottle!).

Day 116 - I started running again last week, after several months off following an injury.  It's been a bit of a stop-start recovery, spanning over a year now but I haven't given in.  So I'm planning on a bit of cross training and therefore dragged out my bike for an 8km cycle.  I had forgotten how hard the saddle is!

Day 117 - I've arrived at a lovely cottage on the Glen Tanar Estate but passed this derelict barn on the way up the track.  First job on arriving was to walk my dogs, who had been in the car for hours, so we wandered passed this and had to have a nosy in.  The roof beams were amazing, and I'm sure it will be converted in the not too distant future.

Day 118 -  Loch Muick (yes that is snow still on the tops) and a lovely walk all the way round.  Eight miles in 3 hours enjoying the scenery and full 4 seasons weather experience! Lots of deer but very few birds on the water. Sat down for my picnic and gained a couple of ticks!!

Day 119 - Between April and July Balmoral Castle is open to the public - well one room and the gardens.  After an early shower I managed to hitch a lift down the drive (the little truck had just left) and picked up my audio set.  Feeling slightly cluttered with camera, monopod, audio set and bag I set off around the site.  The gardens were a little disappointing but the buildings were stunning and there was plenty to see (especially off the beaten track - working on the principle someone would soon move me on if I wandered where I shouldn't). The Garden Cottage was one of my favourite spots as I could peer through the windows and wander to the water garden. Keen gardeners will be pleased to note that I spotted greenfly in the Queens conservatory - so no-one is immune to this little pest!

Day 120 - Actually it should be night 120, as I started at 2.30am with a short drive to meet the ranger  (Mike) to be escorted out to a hide.  The plan, to shoot Black Grouse during the lek.  The weather was not looking promising!  Camera kit carefully planned, padded fleece sit mat, hot water bottle, hat and gloves packed in preparation for a cold night.  No flask of coffee as I wouldn't want to leave the hide for the duration!  In the darkness the grouse made lots of noise, sounding like steam valves going off.  As light - well a greyness - arrived the birds were plentiful.  Shame the light wasn't!  My closest visitor was the majestic hare that sat in front of the hide for a few minutes before lopping away.  The black grouse will be subject of another blog soon.

Day 121 - The Burn o'Vat a rock formation (pot hole) and small waterfall, accessed through a gap in the rock and well marked from the car park at the Muir of Dinnet a large nature reserve where I saw plenty of greylag geese and golden eye duck during a walk around the loch.

Day 122 - Time to go home, and I took this from the roadside in Dinnet.  There seem to be a lot of castellated and turreted buildings in Royal Deeside and I found it a fascinating place.  I will definitely be back to this area as I don't feel I have even scratched the surface of what it has to offer - and I want some good weather for the Lek next year!