View from north east Digital image of E 15339 cn

Description View from north east Digital image of E 15339 cn

Date 24/7/2001

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

Catalogue Number SC 769197

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of E 15339 CN

Scope and Content Gate Lodge, Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire This gate lodge stands on the south side of the River Dee at the main entrance to Balmoral. It is constructed from the same light-coloured local granite as the castle, and has several interesting architectural features including hood-moulded, mullioned windows and crowstepped gables. It has now been partially reconstructed to provide a shop and tourist information services (right). The gate lodge was built to house the man responsible for opening and shutting the gates separating the house grounds from the main thoroughfare. It flanked the main driveway entrance, and accommodated the lodge keeper, his wife and family. It was constructed at the same time as the castle, and reflects its style as it was probably designed by the same architect. 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 holiday home, Balmoral Castle, in 1853-5, and put forward plans for a model estate with new houses and offices for estate workers and tenants. This gate lodge, probably designed by William Smith, the architect who designed the castle, was built c.1855 when a new approach to the castle was constructed over the River Dee. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/769197

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap