Birkhall

Birkhall is a private estate beside the River Muick in Aberdeenshire. The land stretches over 210 square kilometres of Royal Deeside countryside. A house stands on the estate, built in 1715 and later enlarged by Queen Victoria’s staff. The estate once belonged to the Gordon family before Prince Albert bought it in 1849 as part of the Balmoral Castle lands. A fine wire suspension bridge was added in 1880 to cross the river. The estate has been home to several generations of the royal family. Prince Albert gave it to his eldest son, who preferred Abergeldie Castle. Queen Victoria bought it back in 1884 to house her extended family. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth spent summers there with their young daughters. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip stayed at Birkhall after their marriage in 1947. Today the house remains a private retreat for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. They spend every summer there, hosting family gatherings and holiday celebrations. The garden suffered serious damage in the 2016 floods, but work continues to restore it. A new bridge now crosses the river where the old one was lost. The estate offers quiet walks along the Muick and views of the surrounding hills.