Balmoral Castle, castle on the River Dee in Grampian, in the Scottish Highlands. The property, which makes up about 10,000 hectares (20,000 acres), is privately owned by the British sovereign. It was acquired in 1848 by Albert, prince consort of England, who left it to Queen Victoria. The castle was built in 1854 in the Scottish baronial style, is made of granite, and includes a large tower that affords a splendid view of the surrounding countryside. Abergeldie Castle, another royal residence close by, was often used by Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales and was later used as a hunting lodge.