BALMORAL CASTLE (Gaelic, "the majestic dwelling"), private residence of the British sovereign, parish of Crathie and Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the right bank of the Dee (here spanned by a fine suspension bridge), 8m. W. of Ballater and at a height of goof t. above the sea. It was sold by the Farquharsons of Inverey to Sir Robert Gordon and by his trustees to Albert Prince Consort who bequeathed it to Queen Victoria. The castle is in granite in Scots baronial style, with an east tower ( i oof t.) commanding a superb view. Memorial cairns to mem bers of the Royal Family have been erected on Craig Gowan (1,31 gf t.). The parish church of Crathie (19o3 ), replacing the kirk of 1806, is 1 gym. to the west, and about I m. farther west stands Abergeldie Castle, another Highland royal residence, an ancient building to which modern additions have been made, inhabited by King Edward VII. when prince of Wales, and after his accession to the throne used as a shooting-lodge.