Balmoral Castle
Scottish Baronial summer home of Royal Family, rebuilt by Prince Albert from earlier
castle in 1859. The 70ft ballroom houses changing exhibits from royal collection.
Gardens have rare conifers, Queen Victoria's garden cottage and Queen Mary's sunken
garden. Opposite bridge leading to castle's main gate is Crathie Church, built 1895,
place of worship for the Royal Family.
Braemar Castle
Built 1628 and largely rebuilt as residence in 18th century, castle has barrel-vaulted
ceilings, underground prison, star-shaped curtain wall and central tower with spiral
staircase. Interiors fully furnished and containing items of historical interest,
including a 52lb cairngorm -- a semi-precious stone found in the Cairngorm Mountains.
Corgarff Castle
A 14th-century tower house, remodelled as fortified military barracks with star-shaped
wall in 1748. Restored interior of 200 years ago has musket recesses, wide wooden
bunks and large stone fireplaces.
Kindrochit Castle
Grassy embankments, walls of 11th-century fort. Picnic site.
Loch an Eilein
Remains of 15th-century castle on island in loch surrounded by deep pine and juniper
forests. Wildlife includes roe deer, red squirrels, wildcats, whooper swans, herons
and crossbills. Remains of stone dam at Milton Burn and site of 18th-century mill,
where pine trunks were hollowed out to make water pipes -- reminders of time when
area had flourishing timber industry. Visitor centre in cottage by loch has small
exhibition with displays on the management and conservation of forest.
Lochindorb
Shell of 14th-century castle, stronghold of Alexander Stewart, 'Wolf of Badenoch',
who terrorised Moray lowlands, stands on island in middle of loch. Area has rolling
heather landscape with peat stacks and boggy grassland.
