Winter

at Balmoral Castle

An intimate five-night festive retreat on the Balmoral Estate

5 - 10 December 2026

Only four places available

Gray crown illustration on a dark green background.

Follow in the footsteps of British Royalty by spending five nights on the Balmoral Estate. We will stay in Karim Cottage, built by Queen Victoria for her Indian Munshi Abdul Karim located just a short walk from Balmoral Castle. This all-inclusive retreat includes a tour of Balmoral Castle followed by a seven-course meal, daily walks on the estate and delicious dinners at the Fife Arms and the Fish Shop Ballater. As the light fades at 3pm every day, there will plenty of time for relaxation after the morning activities, with wine and whisky and good company in abundance.

Itinerary

  • A historic castle with multiple towers and turrets, granite walls, clock on the facade, surrounded by snow-covered ground and trees, set against a bright blue sky.

    Saturday 5 December 2026

    Arrival, private tour of Balmoral Castle, 7-course dinner with piper

    Arrival is from lunchtime. Light refreshments will be available and chance to settle in to Karim Cottage. A private tour of the interior of Balmoral Castle will be followed by a 7-course dinner in the castle restaurant heralded by a piper.

  • Sunday 6 December

    Morning walk, Sunday Roast, Crathie Kirk

    A morning walk on the Balmoral Estate is followed by a Sunday Roast in the castle restaurant. We visit Crathie Kirk where the Royal Family worship when in residence. A light supper at the cottage will be served.

  • A bar with shelves filled with various bottles of alcohol, warm lighting, and red velvet chairs in a cozy, vintage-style setting.

    Monday 7 December 2026

    Loch Muick, Whisky Tasting, Fife Arms

    A walk around Loch Muick where the Royal Family often take their summer picnics. There is some time to relax after lunch which is followed by a whisky tasting in Bertie’s Bar and dinner at the Fife Arms

  • Tuesday 8 December 2026

    Cairn walk, Clunie Restaurant, Fife Arms

    A morning walk discovering the various Royal cairns on the estate including Prince Albert’s Pyramid. Dinner will be in the Clunie Restaurant at the Fife Arms

  • Hanging art installation of wire sculptures resembling leaves or feathers, with shadows cast on the ceiling, in a modern gallery setting.

    Wednesday 9 December 2026

    Private Expedition Tour, dinner at the Fish Shop, Ballater


    A private Land Rover Expedition Tour of the Balmoral East followed by dinner at the Fish Shop in Ballater

  • Aerial view of a small town in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains, with a river flowing through the town and fields on either side.

    Thursday 10 December 2026

    Farewell

    After breakfast we say our goodbyes, wish you safe travels and a very Happy Christmas.

Balmoral Castle
A decorated Christmas tree in a store, surrounded by holiday-themed merchandise including mugs, gifts, and decorative items, with wooden beams and windows in the background.
Prince Albert's Cairn
Braemar Castle
Crathie Kirk
The Fife Arms
Sunday Roast in the Balmoral Castle Restaurant
Balmoral Castle in winter
One of the Balmoral Estate cairns
A winter view of the Cairngorms
Glen Shee
Christmas at the Balmoral Castle restaurant
Close-up of a Christmas ornament featuring a crown and the letter B, decorated with gold and red accents.
Fish Shop Ballater
Fish Shop Ballater
Decorative wicker frame with a paper insert that has a fish motif and text about Queen Camilla's wedding date.
Christmas at the Fife Arms
Christmas at the Fife Arms
Bertie's Bar at the Fife Arms
Braemar
Bertie's Bar at the Fife Arms

Meet Your Hosts

A man with light brown hair, a beard, and wearing a navy quilted jacket and light gray shirt standing outdoors in front of a castle with turrets and gray stones. The castle is surrounded by green trees and shrubs, with purple flowers in the foreground.

Cameron Burns

Founder and private guide, Cameron's Luxury Tours Scotland

Former opera conductor turned private guide, Cameron will be your driver-guide throughout our time together. He was raised in London and Manchester but has strong Scottish heritage.

Man with brown hair and beard smiling outdoors, holding a glass of drink, with cityscape and clock tower in the background on a cloudy day.

Lincoln Alencar

Founder, Scotland Live Media

Lincoln was born in Brazil and has called Scotland home since 2022. He set up Scotland Live Media upon arrival and garners an impressive following of over 400k followers.

Gray crown with pointed arches and decorative elements on a dark green background.

Couple Rate £10,995*

double room with private bathroom

*approx. US $14,895

Single Rate £5,950**

Single Room with shared bathroom

**approx. US $7,995

A maximum of 4 places are available. Total group size is 6 including the hosts.

What’s included

  • Five nights on the Balmoral Estate

  • Champagne upon arrival

  • 2 Private rooms available in Karim Cottage with a shared bathroom

  • 1 Private room available for 2 people with a private bathroom

  • A tour of the interior of Balmoral Castle followed by a 7-course dinner with piper

  • A private expedition tour of the Balmoral Estate

  • Dinner at the Clunie Restaurant, the Fife Arms

  • Whisky tasting in Bertie’s bar at the Fife Arms

  • Dinner at the Fish Shop, Ballater

  • A guided cairn walk on the Balmoral Estate

  • A Sunday Roast in the Balmoral Castle restaurant

  • All other meals, including breakfast and lunch

  • Wine and whisky provided at the cottage

  • Visits to Braemar Castle and Crathie Kirk

  • Transfers to and from Edinburgh or Aberdeen

What’s not included

  • Flights to and from Scotland

Request your place

Please fill out the form below and Cameron will be in touch to arrange a call.