Birkhall (from theScotsBirk Hauch: "BirchRiver-meadow")[1] is a 210 km2 (52,000 acres)estate onRoyal Deeside,Aberdeenshire, Scotland, owned by KingCharles III.[2] It is located alongside theRiver Muick to the south-west ofBallater.[3]
The property was built in 1715.[3] It was acquired from the Gordon family (owners of theAbergeldie Estate) who had acquired it from the Farquharsone family. Birkhall was acquired byPrince Albert, consort toQueen Victoria, as part of theBalmoral Castle estate in 1849 and given to his eldest son,Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. Victoria bought Birkhall back to provide accommodation for her staff and extended family in 1884; Prince Albert Edward had only visited Birkhall once, as he preferred the largerAbergeldie Castle.[4] Birkhall was occupied byGeneralSir Dighton Probyn,Keeper of the Privy Purse to KingEdward VII and Comptroller toQueen Alexandra, in the late 19th century and early 20th century.[5]
A fine wiresuspension bridge, erected in 1880 byJohn Harper, crosses the River Muick at Birkhall.[6]
KingGeorge V lent Birkhall in the 1930s to the Duke and Duchess of York (later KingGeorge VI andQueen Elizabeth), who holidayed there with their children,Princess Elizabeth andPrincess Margaret. The house was redecorated by the Yorks, who also replanted the gardens. After theDuke of York ascended to the throne in 1936, the new king and queen occupied Balmoral during the summer. Later on Princess Elizabeth, her husbandPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and their children occupied Birkhall during the late summer season.[4] In 1947, Elizabeth and Philip spent a portion of theirhoneymoon at Birkhall.[7][8]
SirDavid Bowes-Lyon, brother of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, died at Birkhall of a heart attack after suffering fromhemiplegia, on 13 September 1961, aged 59. The Queen Mother discovered him dead in bed.[9]
Birkhall was inherited by Charles, Prince of Wales from the Queen Mother upon her death in 2002.[2][3] Charles and his wifeCamilla spent their honeymoon at Birkhall in 2005 and have spent every summer there since their marriage.[10] In 2011,Prince William and his wifeCatherine, then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, celebratedHogmanay at Birkhall.[11]
In March 2020, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall (laterKing Charles III andQueen Camilla) self-isolated at Birkhall after the prince tested positive forCOVID-19.[12]
It has been reported that King Charles III will not take up residence at Balmoral Castle while he is on the estate, but rather will continue to stay at Birkhall during the Balmoral holidays.[13]
57°01′43″N3°04′26″W / 57.0287°N 3.0740°W /57.0287; -3.0740