Balmoral
Private holiday home of the British Royal Family
Bought by Queen Victoria in 1852, Balmoral castle was quickly transformed into a mansion and her "dear paradise".
You can see why she liked it: the riverside setting is lovely and the scene is elegantly completed by the white granite palace. Its medley of fantastical Baronial-style turrets were the work of husband Albert and Aberdeen-born architect William Smith
The ballroom is truly sumptuous but above all a visit provides a good insight into the world of today's royalty.