Skip to Main Content

Buildings

Basic Site Details

Balmoral Castle
Balmoral
Aberdeenshire
A listed
Scotland
The present Balmoral, built 1853, superseded an earlier Balmoral, to which John Smith had made extensive additions in 1834-39. It stood on a different site close by and remained in use until the present castle was completed.

Alexander Clark was clerk of works in the mid-1850s with John Beaton in charge of the masonry.

Decoration of ballroom by Thomas Grieve 1857-8.

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:

Class classic

ClassificationOriginal ClassificationNotes
Country HouseNot Known

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:

event classic

Event TypeFromToNotes
Build/construction18521856Balmoral Castle built. Plnas for layout of grounds
Plans drawn up1852/12Drawings then reviewed by Thomas Cubitt
Alterations and additions1902Alterations and additions including infill of arches on south front (or possibly by Mackenzie) and raising of service sourt wallson south side. Also other work on estate.
19111912Decoration and minor alterations for George V
1922Gates

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.

design classic

PersonPartnership GroupRoleFromToNotes
James Forbes BeattieLArchitect185Plans for layout of grounds drawn up
James GilesMArchitect185Plans for layout of grounds with James Forbes Beattie
J & W SmithE18521856
William Smith IIE18521856Original castle with Prince Albert
Thomas CubittKArchitect1852/12Reviewed drawings of Smith on the request of Prince Albert
(Sir) Robert Rowand AndersonA1902Alterations and additions including infill of arches on south front (or possibly by Mackenzie). Raising of service court south side. Also other work on estate: continued by Anderson alone after dissolution of the Anderson, Simon & Crawford partnership
Alexander Hunter CrawfordAArchitect1902Alterations and additions including infill of arches on south front (or possibly by Mackenzie). Raising service court on south side. Also other work on estate.
Anderson Simon & CrawfordAArchitectural practice1902Alterations and additions including infill of arches on south front (or possibly by Mackenzie). Raising service court on south side. Also other work on estate.
Frank Lewis Worthington SimonAArchitect1902Alterations and additions including infill of arches on south front (or possibly by Mackenzie). Raising service court on south side. Also other work on estate.
A Marshall Mackenzie & SonB19111912Decoration and minor alterations
Alexander George Robertson MackenzieB19111912Decoration and minor alterations
Alexander Marshall MackenzieB19111912Decoration and minor alterations
(Colonel) Herbert Morgan SmailC1922Gates
Godfrey Daniel Bower ShepherdCD1922Gates, also garden work (no date)
John Donald MillsCD1922Gates, also garden work (no date)

Clients

The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:

client classic

NameNotes
King George V1911-1912 work
Prince AlbertOriginal castle of 1853

Related Buildings, Structures and Designs

Child Structures

This structure or site has the following component or child structures (click on an item to view details):

Child classic

NotesName
Balmoral Castle, Dairy and Dairy Cottages

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:

bio ref classic

AuthorYearTitlePartPublisherNotes
Sharples, J, Walker, D W and Woodworth, M2015The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire South and AberdeenLondon and New Haven: Yale University Presspp351 353, 355, 358-9

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:

period ref classic

Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
RIBA Journal1921/07/30*London: Royal Institute of British Architects
Civil Engineer and Architects' JournalXVIII1855/11page 402.

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:

arc ref classic

SourceNameCat NumberItem NameNotes
RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination PapersAGR Mackenzie: F v21 no 1496
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSDrawings Collection1922 gates
Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register51460
Windsor CastleThe Royal ArchivesPP/Blamoral/117, 151, 159, 213-215, 246, 721; RA Vic/y 101/40