Glas-allt-Shiel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glas-allt-Shiel |
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Glas-allt-Shiel seen from the edge of Loch Muick
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| Built | 1868 |
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Listed Building – Category B
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| Designated | 12 March 2010 |
| Reference no. | LB51457 |
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Glas-allt-Shiel is a special lodge located on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It sits right by the shore of Loch Muick. The name means "green (or grey) stream lodge."
Queen Victoria had this lodge built in 1868. She called it her "widow's house." This was a place where she could find peace after her husband, Prince Albert, passed away. Today, Glas-allt-Shiel is a historic building, owned by Charles III. Experts say it has one of the most amazing locations of any lodge in the Scottish Highlands.
Contents
History of the Estate
For a very long time, the land around Loch Muick belonged to powerful Scottish families. First, it was owned by the Mormaer of Mar, who were early Scottish rulers. Then, families like the Bissetts and Frasers became the landlords.
Later, in 1351, Sir William Keith took over. After him, the Earls of Huntly and the Farquharsons of Invercauld owned the land. In 1863, a wealthy merchant named Sir James McKenzie bought it. He used it as a "sporting estate," which means it was a place for hunting and outdoor activities.
The estate officially became part of the Balmoral Estate between 1947 and 1951. This happened under King George VI. In 1974, part of the area became a nature reserve with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. However, it still remains a sporting estate today.
The Lodge: Then and Now
Glas Allt is a stream that flows down from the White Mounth plateau, which is about 1,000 meters high. It passes over the beautiful Falls of Glas Allt before reaching Loch Muick. In 1851, a small cottage was built here for a gamekeeper named Charles Duncan. This cottage also had a room for royal visitors.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first visited Balmoral in 1848. They loved the nearby hunting lodge called Allt-na-giubhsaich. They even stayed there overnight after it was improved. Victoria called it their "little bothie."
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In 1849, John Brown, who later became a close servant to the Queen, helped row her party to the loch. Victoria wrote in her diary about the amazing scenery. She described it as "wild and grand," with "real severe Highland scenery." She loved the boat trips and seeing people in kilts.
Victoria fell in love with the small cottage and its peaceful location. Around 1859, the Duncans moved out, leaving the cottage empty. By 1868, the old two-room building was taken down. In its place, the beautiful fifteen-room lodge we see today was built. It has twin gables and bow windows that look out over Loch Muick. Stables and other buildings were added later. A slipway for boats was also built around 1870.
Glas-allt-Shiel is now a "Category B listed building." This means it's a historic building that is protected. It is personally owned by King Charles III.
Why Victoria Rebuilt Glassalt
Queen Victoria first visited Scotland in 1842, when she was just 21 and newly married to Prince Albert. This was an important royal visit, as few royals had visited Scotland before. She quickly grew to love the country and its people. She wrote in her diary that it was a holiday she would never forget.
The royal couple visited Scotland again in 1844 and 1847. They decided they wanted to buy their own property in Scotland so they could visit often. Their doctor suggested the Deeside area because it had a drier climate, which was good for Prince Albert's health.
Lord Aberdeen suggested Balmoral Castle. Even after only seeing drawings, they agreed to rent it. In September 1848, they arrived at Balmoral and knew they had made the right choice. Victoria wrote that it felt like a place of "freedom and peace." She enjoyed visiting the local people, who were not afraid to meet royalty.
The couple planned to buy the estate and build a bigger castle. Prince Albert, who loved deer hunting, also bought nearby lands. He bought Birkhall and arranged a long-term lease for Abergeldie.
In 1852, they finally bought Balmoral for a large sum of money. The purchase was made in Albert's name. This showed that it was their personal property, not belonging to the Crown.
Albert enjoyed deer hunting, especially around Loch Muick. They had already rebuilt the hunting lodge at Allt-na-giubhsaich. Victoria didn't hunt, but she loved visiting there to relax and paint.
Sadly, Prince Albert died in 1861. This was a very difficult time for Victoria. She visited Balmoral for comfort, but everything reminded her of Albert. She wanted a place to escape that didn't bring back sad memories. There was a smaller lodge at the head of Loch Muick, and she decided to make it her new "widow's house." This became Glas-allt-Shiel.
The Bothy at Glas-allt-Shiel
Since 1991, an outbuilding behind the lodge has been used as a "bothy." A bothy is a simple shelter that is open to anyone for free overnight stays. It was first looked after by Dundee University's Rucksack Club and is now managed by the Mountain Bothies Association. It's a great place for climbers heading to Lochnagar.
The bothy has a stove and a special toilet. It used to be a storeroom. There is no electricity, and water comes from the nearby Glas Allt stream. You need to bring your own fuel for the stove. The bothy was closed for a while in 2020 due to misuse, but it has since reopened. Even when royal parties visit the main lodge, backpackers are allowed to stay in the bothy, but they are asked to be discreet.
See also
- Shieling
