As we drove
through the Cairngorms National Park last week on our way to Balmoral
the ski stations were still operating. The ski lifts were taking
people up the hills as they took advantage of the very late snow that
was still on the ground. How long the snow was going to last was in
serious doubt considering the day's clear blue skies. With such
beautiful weather it comes as no surprise that the Queen heads to
Balmoral in the summer for around three months.
After Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert acquired the estates of Balmoral and
neighbouring Birkhall in 1852 work began on building a new castle for
them and their growing family. Once the new castle was well under
construction Prince Albert started in 1854 to lay out the plans for
the surrounding grounds.
The gardens
have over the years had to work hard to provide for all of its royal
visitors and guests. Since it was bought by Prince Albert and Queen
Victoria Balmoral has always been privately owned by the Royal Family
rather than the Crown Estate.
The present
fruit and vegetable garden was laid out by the Duke of Edinburgh in
1955. This part of the garden is designed to supply the kitchen with
as much fresh produce as possible. However, the beautiful location of
Balmoral does give the gardening team a few problems. With the
gardens lying at nearly 1,000ft above sea level air frost can be
recorded at any month of the year. This means that temperature drops
too low in the summer months to grow French and runner beans as the
flowers drop off them.
Currently
being hardened off in the cold frames is an array of produce from
onions to herbs and salad leaves. Amazingly they are also growing
strawberries from seed.
In this
working garden flowers are grown in order to decorate the rooms in
the castle when the Royal Family are in residence. One of the
greenhouses is already full of pot plants ready for taking indoors.
In the other
greenhouse seedlings are coming along for the many cut flowers that
will be needed. All of the flowers used in the castle are grown in
the garden.
There are
more flowers in the cold frames with rows and rows of sweet peas
waiting to be planted out. Obviously their sweet scent is a favourite
in royal circles. Oh to be queen!
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