Balmoral guided tours will be available daily from Saturday 3rd October until Saturday 31st October and therafter on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays during November and December. The only exception to this will be Saturday 26th December (Boxing Day) - unfortunately closed on this day.
Tours will be at specific start times and will be restricted to 10 people per tour, excluding children under 5 years of age and your tour guide.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and track and trace procedures will be in place - please click here to book and pay online.
Join us for a fascinating socially distanced guided tour of the grounds, exhibitions and Ballroom at Balmoral. All visitors must also register with track and trace on arrival and are asked to adhere to social distancing guidance. Facemasks must be worn in indoor spaces.
The guided tour lasts approximately one hour and afterwards you are free to wander the grounds and gardens. Your guide will take you into the Balmoral Exhibition before heading off to view the Game Larder, Karim Cottage, the original Iron Ballroom and the Ice House. The highlight for many is to stand on the lawn, right in front of the Castle and admire it in all its glory.
The Ballroom is the only room open to visitors in the Castle and your guide will give you plenty of time here as there is a lot to see. The objects in the Ballroom are all brought from within the Castle for display, these are all objects that belong to the Royal Family and normally live on a wall or shelf or cupboard in one of the private rooms.
Please note that the Ballroom is the only room that is open to visitors within the Castle as the other areas are Her Majesty’s private residence.
The guided tours are special as the guides are able to share with you many of the stories, past and present that bring Balmoral to life.
After your tour you can visit our extended Gift Shop, where you will find a wide range of gifts, both Scottish and Royal.
You can also purchase refreshments from our new Coffee Pod, which is located near the Gift Shop.
Admission charges for the Balmoral Guided Tours are as follows and must be booked in advance- please click here to book and pay online:
Adults - £15.00
Children (5 to 16 years) - £6.00
Children under 5 - free of charge
Tours will be will be socially distanced and are limited to a maximum of 10 adults, excluding children under 5 years of age and your tour guide.
- Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your tour departure time.
- Please note that tickets are non refundable except where we cancel the tour e.g. in the event of adverse weather.
- All visitors will need to register with track and trace on arrival.
- Please adhere to social distancing guidance.
- Facemasks must be worn in indoor spaces.
- Contactless and card payments are the preferred methods of payment in the Gift Shop and Coffee Pod.
- In the event of adverse weather please contact 013397 42534 or info@balmoralcastle.com before setting out to Balmoral.
- Photography is allowed in all areas except the Ballroom.
- Drones are not permitted anywhere on the Balmoral Estate.
- Dogs are permitted in all areas except the Ballroom and gift shop.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in ALL areas.
We want you to get the most from your visit so please read the following:-
Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your tour departure time.
- Parking is available by The Estates Office. Please drive up to the Main Gates of Balmoral where a member of staff will be on duty. They will check your tickets and give you directions for parking.
Once parked up we would ask that you follow the directions for the tour start point. Please have your tickets ready for inspection at the start of your tour.
- The tour is a walking tours with just over 400 meters of walking is involved; mostly flat with the odd slight gradient. The surface is mostly tarmac and all entrances to exhibitions are ramped.
- 60% of the tour is outside and 40% inside. Please ensure that you bring suitable outdoor clothing, dress warmly and have suitable footwear for walking outdoors on uneven surfaces.
- Please have a mask available as these must be worn indoors.
- We have Battricars and also wheelchairs which are available for customers to borrow at no extra charge. If you would like to borrow one of these please let the guide know on arrival.
If you have any other questions relating to access on our tours please contact us at info@balmoralcastle.com and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.
The Gift Shop in The Pipers Hall has been extended to provide a socially distanced and relaxed shopping experience and you can also purchase refreshments from our new Coffee Pod, which is located near the Gift Shop. Toilet facilities are also available.
Road Directions
Balmoral is located off the A93 mid way between Ballater and Braemar. Parking available in car parks at Crathie, just a short walk from the admissions desk.
Public Transport Directions
Nearest airport and railway station in Aberdeen, approximately 50 miles East of Balmoral.
Stagecoach Bluebird operate bus service from Aberdeen to Braemar. Bus stop for Balmoral is located at Crathie.
Bus Timetable
Operator
Stagecoach Bluebird Aberdeen - telephone 01224 212266
Ideally you will require your own transportation to get to the property as it is in a rural location, with limited public transport available.
