View from north

Description View from north

Date 24/7/2001

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number E 16062 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 769040

Scope and Content Statue of 'Noble', Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire This life-size statue was built as a memorial to Queen Victoria's favourite dog, Noble, who died in 1887 aged 16¢ years. The inscription on the rectangular granite plinth records that Noble, 'for more that 15 years the favourite collie and dear and faithful companion of Queen Victoria' was 'noble by name, by nature noble too, faithful companion, sympathetic, true'. Death at Balmoral tended to produce statues - of Prince Albert, who died in 1867, and of the queen's personal attendant, John Brown, who died in 1883. Other memorials included granite seats in memory of royal children - Princess Alice, who died in 1878, and Prince Leopold, who died in 1884 - and a Celtic cross commemorating Prince Alfred, who died in 1900. Queen Victoria also erected headstones in Crathie Churchyard in memory of several faithful servants including John Brown, his successor, Francis Clark, William Thorpe, a servant for 26 years in the 'Stable department', and John Spong, 'travelling tapissier to Queen Victoria in whose service he had been for 19 years'. The Balmoral estate was bought in 1852 by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria at their own expense as a Highland retreat from the stresses of London life. Prince Albert initiated many improvements, including the building of a new Balmoral Castle in 1853-5 that became Queen Victoria's favourite holiday home. The many memorials that were built in the woods around the castle show her firm attachment to the estate. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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