Paradise In The Highlands
The Official Magazine Britain|May/June 2018

We follow the Victorian Heritage Trail in Royal Deeside, Scotland, to discover the land that Queen Victoria fell hopelessly in love with

Janice Hopper
Paradise In The Highlands
When Queen Victoria wanted somewhere to escape to, it was to Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire that she headed.

Victoria was so enamoured with the raw beauty of the Scottish countryside on her first visit in 1842 that by 1852 she’d secured land and her very own castle. Describing the landscape in her diary, she wrote: “All seemed to breathe freedom and peace”.

After a glorious rebuild, a new castle was completed for Victoria in 1856: Balmoral is still the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family, where HM The Queen returns every summer. The area is rich in history and heritage, and it’s still possible to follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria and experience what she referred to as “my dear paradise in the Highlands”.

One port of call worth making is the Royal Deeside Railway at Milton of Crathes, which offers return heritage journeys. Once leading all the way to Ballater, today’s passengers can get a sense of the steam rail journey Victoria would have taken along one mile of restored scenic track – the railways revolutionised travel across Britain, including that of the Royal Family. A Victorian station and railway carriage tearoom complete the picture.

One of the core attractions of Deeside for Victoria was the scenery, and the freedom it afforded her. Victoria and Albert went on pony treks into the wilds of Scotland, occasionally with just one servant in attendance. The couple also set off on ‘Great Expeditions’, as they called them, with their children, sometimes staying overnight in low-key inns where locals were unaware that they were in the company of royals. It was a true antidote to the family’s bustling London life.

Denne historien er fra May/June 2018-utgaven av The Official Magazine Britain.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May/June 2018-utgaven av The Official Magazine Britain.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE BRITAINSe alt
Take The High Road
The Official Magazine Britain

Take The High Road

The North Coast 500 is an epic route that takes you past some of the country’s most spellbinding scenery

time-read
5 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
Where To Stay In 2021
The Official Magazine Britain

Where To Stay In 2021

Whether it’s a country house escape, a rustic bolthole or a sophisticated city stay, you’ll find your perfect getaway on these pages

time-read
10+ mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
The EMPEROR'S ISLE
The Official Magazine Britain

The EMPEROR'S ISLE

Tresco was once a treeless and windswept island, the haunt of smugglers. Dramatically transformed by one man’s vision, it is now one of Britain’s most beautiful spots

time-read
6 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
Hidden Cornwall
The Official Magazine Britain

Hidden Cornwall

Discover the beautiful, beguiling and rugged land of West Penwith in the far reaches of Cornwall

time-read
6 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
Wonders of Wales
The Official Magazine Britain

Wonders of Wales

With its wild cliffs, pretty coves and puffins galore, St Brides Bay holds the best of Pembrokeshire

time-read
5 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
Yorkshire's MOORS & SHORES
The Official Magazine Britain

Yorkshire's MOORS & SHORES

Equal parts mystical moor and secluded seashore, the Yorkshire coast beats some of Britain’s more traditional summer destinations hands down

time-read
5 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
PEAK PERFORMANCE
The Official Magazine Britain

PEAK PERFORMANCE

From heathery moors to rolling hills and underground caverns, the Peak District is home to some of the most majestic landscapes in the country

time-read
5 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
Culture CAPITAL
The Official Magazine Britain

Culture CAPITAL

After a year of stop-start openings, London's museums are welcoming visitors back in 2021 with an array of blockbuster exhibitions

time-read
4 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
HISTORIC NORFOLK
The Official Magazine Britain

HISTORIC NORFOLK

Spend time exploring this peaceful county, whose stately homes are a grand counterpoint to its unadorned rural landscapes

time-read
6 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide
1066 COUNTRY
The Official Magazine Britain

1066 COUNTRY

England’s sunny south coast has a rich heritage, harbouring ancient castles and evocative landscapes that tell the story of the Battle of Hastings and beyond

time-read
7 mins  |
Britain 2021 Guide