Private Balmoral Walking Tour to Queens Secret Cabin & the Castle

5.0 (one review) 9 hours Private tour

out of 5

one review

5.0

Balmoral Castle — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Invercauld Bridge — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Deep in the stunning Ballochbuie Forest (part of the Kings’ Balmoral Estate) lies the “Honka House”. This log cabin was a gift from Finland for the Queens silver wedding anniversary and has been a favourite picnic spot for the Royal's ever since.

Near the retreat are the stunning Falls of Garbh Allt, over which Queen Victoria had a beautiful iron bridge installed in 1878 and it is still in use today.

The tour will be set at your own pace and there will opportunities to stop and admire the views.

Our tour also takes us over the famous 18thC Invercauld Bridge.

After the walk the can visit the amazing Fife Arms Hotel for lunch. The hotel is an attraction in itself.

After lunch we can visit Balmoral Castle depending on seasonal open times and if time, the stunning Crathes Castle. Please contact us re dates.

The walk is available all year, even if the Royal Family are in residence.

Please note the walk is an approx 4.5 miles long on well maintained and mostly gentle paths.

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At a glance

Duration: 9 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–7
Guide: English
Operated by: Time Exposure Travel

Ages: Adults (0–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Pick up from your hotel or accommodation
Included: Private tour guide guide

Not included

Not included: Lunch not included in cost. No drinks or snacks are included in the cost
Not included: Balmoral Castle - Pay at gate to enter grounds and castle. Pre booking recommended.
Not included: Please bring your own suitable walking shoes and clothing to match the weather.
Not included: Pick up surcharges - Hotels more that 20mls from Aberdeen city-£20, 40-60mls-£40.

Itinerary

Aberdeen

one hour

We will collect you from your accommodation in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and take you the tour.
Invercauld Suspension Bridge

30 min

We cross the world famous 18th century Invercauld Bridge into the Ballochbuie Forest to start our walk.
Stop 3

2 hours

Walk to the Queens Retreat. Buried deep in the Ballochbuie Forest (a magnificent example of an ancient Caledonian Pine Forest and part of the Queens’ Balmoral Estate in Royal Deeside) lies the “Honka House”. This building, complete with sauna, was a gift from the people of Finland for the Queens silver wedding anniversary and has been a favourite picnic and BBQ spot for the Royal Family ever since. The walk continues to the stunning Falls of Garbh Allt. Queen Victoria (who loved to sketch there) had a beautiful iron bridge installed in 1878 and it is still in use today.
Stop 4

one hour

After your walk it is time for lunch in the amazing Fife Arms Hotel, a work of art and attraction in itself.
Balmoral Castle

one hour Admission not included

We visit the world famous Scottish Family Residence.

Please note the castle in not open all year and we visit other castles or a Whisky Distillery during its closed period (which is normally mid August to start of October). Please contact us for dates.
Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate

one hour

An amazing 16th century masterpiece which we may visit if Balmoral Castle is closed.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Premier Inn Aberdeen City Centre Hotel
Rox Hotel Aberdeen
Siberia Hotel
Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
Station Hotel Aberdeen
The Highland Hotel
Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian Hotel
Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel & Spa
Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen
The Carmelite Hotel
Brentwood Aberdeen City Centre Near Union Street

and 3 more pickup points

We pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in the Aberdeen area, train station or cruise liner. We are happy to pick you up anywhere, but for Hotels outside Aberdeen, a pick up surcharge applies as per below, in exclusions.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.