Spacious, built of granite in the Scotch baronial style, with a tower 100 feet high, and minor turrets and castellated gables, the castle was skilfully arranged to command the finest views of the surrounding mountains and of the neighbouring river Dee.

Upon the interior decorations Albert and Victoria lavished all their care.

The wall and the floors were of pitch-pine, and covered with specially manufactured tartars.

The Balmoral tartan, in red and grey, designed by the Prince, and the Victoria tartan, with a white stripe, designed by the Queen, were to be seen in every room: there were tartan curtains, and tartan chair-covers, and even tartan linoleums.

Occasionally the Royal Stuart tartan appeared, for Her Majesty always maintained that she was an ardent Jacobite.