“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Sunday 24 August 2014

Silent Sunday... Gates to Balmoral Castle and Estate, Royal Deeside



TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky

I'm linking up with Our Beautiful World whose word this week is Gates.

58 comments:

  1. Beautiful gates. I wonder what is behind them? #mysundayphoto

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    1. Apologies for my delay in answering the mystery of the gates Victoria,
      They belong to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth !!, as they are the main front gates to Balmoral Castle set amongst the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside, in the shadows of Lochnagar.
      Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a great week ahead.

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  2. Replies
    1. They are aren't they Terra, but then I suppose if you are the Queen it seems only right.
      Thanks for visiting my humble home and I hope your week ahead is a good one.

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  3. Ooo, beautiful gates, where do they lead?

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    1. I would have liked to take you behind the gates for a few photos Sara, but unfortunately the owner was at home... Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The gates are the front entrance to Balmoral Castle.
      I plan to return to the grounds, gardens and exhibitions but when the Queen visits at this time of year, it is closed to the Public. But it will open again on Wednesday 1st April 2015.
      Thanks for stopping by Sara... have a great week.

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  4. Very Regal gates. Wonder whose initials they are and the significance of the numbers 1,2,9 and 5?

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    1. They are indeed Nan... well observed because the current owner is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The gates are the main gates to Balmoral Castle and Estate in Royal Deeside. The featured initials G R (George Rex) along with a Royal Crown; the second belonged to Her Majesty Queen Mary and displays the initials M R (Mary Regina) and the date is 1925.
      Because The Queen is in residence at the moment (she visits every year at this time) I couldn't go in to show you around but some of the grounds, estate and exhibitions open in the spring. I hope at some stage to revisit and I'll certainly take you along if you wish.
      We (that's not the Royal 'WE') but my Australian visitors, hubby and I did manage to visit her neighbour though... the Royal Lochnagar Distillery situated on the south side of the River Dee close to Balmoral Castle. It's a whisky distillery!
      I hope your weekend was a good one but your coming week will be better.
      Have fun and thanks for stopping by once again.

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  5. That looks quite mysterious and inviting. Where is it?

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    1. I thought it would give some food for thought Sarah,
      The gates are the main entrance to Balmoral Castle and Estate here in Royal Deeside, in the shadows of Lochnagar.
      Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848. Queen Elizabeth visits every year at this time, so it's not surprising that the estate is closed to the public but after April it will open once again. When I do manage to see more, I'll ensure that I post about my visit.
      Thanks for stopping to comment.
      Have a great week

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  6. Ooh, who lives there?! A through the keyhole moment perhaps?! Very regal :) #MySundayPhoto

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    1. You guessed right with the regal part Jo,
      At present they belong to Queen Elizabeth II and they are the main entrance to Balmoral Castle, here in Royal Deeside.
      Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852.
      It's currently close to the public as the Queen is in residence hence I could only take a photo of the gates. But I hope to return at some stage to take you in further.
      Thanks for your visit and comment... enjoy the Bank Holiday and have a fun packed week.

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  7. Gorgeous. I'd love to have that sort of entrance to my house.

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    1. Hehe... they are quite a feature aren't they Laura,
      But then when your the Queen I suppose that's only right. They are the gates to Balmoral Castle. The Scottish home of the Royal Family.
      Thanks for your visit and I hope you have a great week ahead.

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  8. Ooo, beautiful gates.. I wonder where they lead?

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    1. They lead to Queen Elizabeth II Scottish home Jo,
      Balmoral Castle and Estate to be precise. Unfortunately I couldn't go any further into the grounds as the Queen is in residence at the moment but I hope to return after April when it will be open to the public for a few months.
      We had to visit a neighbour instead. A whisky distillery!

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks Sherry,
      I had quite a few photos for Silent Sunday but I thought these gates might be more thought provoking.
      Enjoy the week ahead and thanks for stopping by my place.

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  10. Fab gates - who's initials I wonder!

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    1. At present they belong to Queen Elizabeth II and they are the main entrance to Balmoral Castle, here in Royal Deeside.
      The featured initials G R (George Rex) along with a Royal Crown; the second belonged to Her Majesty Queen Mary and displays the initials M R (Mary Regina) and the date is 1925.
      Thanks for stopping by to comment. I hope you have a fantastic Bank Holiday Monday and brilliant week ahead.

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  11. Replies
    1. Aren't they just Kim, but unfortunately they don't belong to me they belong to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They are the gates to Balmoral Castle and Estate.
      Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852.
      It's currently close to the public as the Queen is in residence hence I could only take a photo of the gates. But I hope to return at some stage to take you in further.
      We had to visit a whisky distillery instead!!!
      Thanks for stopping by once again. It's always great to see you.
      Have a great week

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  12. Just glad I don't have to keep the GR and MR polished and shiny lol!

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    1. Me too... but because they belong to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II she won't have to worry about the polishing.
      Thanks for visiting my place and maybe next time I'll be able to show you inside the gates.
      Have a great week

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  13. Beautiful gates, bet they have something special behind them.

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    1. I suppose you could say so... they belong to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
      Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're week ahead is a good one.

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  14. Wow very impressive, who lives behind them?

    Thank you for linking up

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    1. If I give you some clues Darren... sort of like 'who lives here'?
      Firstly, the current custodian doesn't live on the estate all year round. But she does visits mainly at this time of year for a few months.
      Second, she's very well known throughout the world
      Thirdly, this Scottish ancestral home has been handed down through the family since 1852.
      Yep you guessed it the gates lead to Balmoral Castle and Estate. Because the Queen is currently in residence I couldn't go into the grounds but after 1st April they will be open once more to the public.
      If I revisit I'll certainly make sure I write a post and take more photos.
      Thanks for hosting once again and I hope you have a great Bank Holiday.
      Enjoy!

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  15. Who lives in a house like this? Like the gates and what I think must be initials too.

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    1. Hehe...
      The initials aren't for the current custodian of the property and estate as the date indicates 1925 and shows GR and MR.
      The initials G R (George Rex) along with a Royal Crown; the second belonged to Her Majesty Queen Mary and displays the initials M R (Mary Regina).
      The gates are the main entrance to Balmoral Castle and Estate. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is currently in situ, so we couldn't go in but on 1st April there will be certain parts open to the public. I hope to revisit then.
      Have a great week.


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  16. Replies
    1. Thanks Christian,
      I would have liked to have taken a view of the house (or should I say Castle) but unfortunately Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was in residence.
      Maybe next time ;D
      Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

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  17. A very regal looking entrance to somewhere special :)

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    1. It is indeed... it's the main entrance to Balmoral Castle.
      The Queen is in residence at the moment for her summer break so I wasn't able to nip in for a cuppa.
      Thanks for your comment and I hope you're having a great start to the week ahead.

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  18. Neesie - Super gates and you must also list with Our Beautiful World meme whose theme this week is Gates of course!
    Have a great week
    Wren x

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    1. Ohh... what a great idea Wren,
      I had no idea that there were theme's to the link up.
      Unfortunately I couldn't nip into Balmoral because the Queen was in situ, so we had no choice but to visit her neighbour... the Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
      It's a whisky distillery! (hic!)
      Thanks for popping by and I hope spring has sprung your way.
      Enjoy! xoxo

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  19. Now that's what I call a grand entrance! You'd have thought she'd have invited you in for a cuppa so you have to go next door! ;)

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    1. I know I couldn't believe it when the Bobby (Policeman) on the gate said she wasn't expecting me! The reply to the invite must have got lost in transit ;)
      Still the whisky tour was very well received plus we had to bring some home.
      Great to see you... thanks for stopping by.
      Enjoy your week whatever you get up to... have fun

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  20. Replies
    1. I thought it might intrigue the Silent Sunday gang ;D
      Thanks for stopping by Jaime.
      Have a great Bank Holiday

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  21. This is a beautiful photo of those regal gates ... Thanks so much for sharing with us at Our Beautiful World!!!

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    1. It was my pleasure Ros,
      It's thanks to Little Wandering Wren informing me that your link this week, over at Our Beautiful World was connected to Gates that I was able to nip in and link up!
      Thanks to you too for your comment and letting me sneak in ;D
      Have a great week

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  22. Beautiful and very royal...
    I'm glad to see you at "Our Beautiful World" :-)
    The prompts are always inspiring, I like this meme.

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    1. Hi Mascha,
      What a lovely surprise to find you in Our Beautiful World. I felt right at home ;D
      I'm sure I'll be visiting again
      Thanks for popping over to my place.
      Have a wonderful week.

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  23. Tut tut Lizzie should have invited you in! I'm amazed there's just a buzzer next to the gates and not lots of guards.

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    1. I know Kriss I was surprised not to be allowed in.
      There is a security policeman standing just out of shot. Very nice in fact as I chatted with him for a wee while after asking permission to take the photo.
      They work a 12 hour shift in fact.
      There's probably lots more security not on show but it is the summer home and a lot more relaxed.
      Thanks for visiting my place and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

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  24. Oh wow! I would love to go exploring in a place like that, wouldn't it be awesome to be invisible for the day and snoop around the palaces?

    Nipping over from #MySundayPhoto

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    1. Hehe... just imagine what fun it would be with an invisibility cloak.
      Balmoral ballroom, gardens and some of the grounds open to the public but not until 1st April so I'll have to wait to see more.
      Thanks for visiting my place and for providing the fun link up ;D
      Have a great week

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  25. Hi Nessie....this is a lovely photo of the gates at Balmoral, it's a beautiful part of Scotland and I remember going into the church up the road and thinking how cold it was in there (...for the Queen). Thanks for sharing with Our Beautiful World, cheers Robyn

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    1. Ahh... so you've been to Crathie Church too. It is a quaint little church isn't it.
      We stood and watched the Queen drive past early one Sunday morning years ago when we lived here years ago.
      I'm sure they would provide a beautiful tartan wool throw for her to put on her lap to keep her cosy ;D
      Thanks for stopping by and I apologise for taking so long in replying to you. It's been a hectic week but then most of them are!
      Have a wonderful weekend

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  26. Wonderfull gates, nice art.Greeting from Belgium

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    1. Hello Belgium,
      Wonderful to have you visit my part of the world and I apologise that it's taken me a whole week to reply.
      The gates are at the front entrance to Balmoral Castle where Queen Elizabeth II stays for her summer vacation.
      Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful weekend

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  27. I love gates! I feel safer with them and this one is pretty! #mysundayphoto

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    1. We haven't actually got any gates at the moment but they're on the plan. Possibly quite a way down the renovation phase list.
      Glad you like them. They are the Queen's after all.
      Enjoy your weekend

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  28. Tut did the Queen not invite you in for some tea ;)

    AliceMegan

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    1. I have to say one was frightfully shocked that one wasn't allowed to enter!
      Maybe the 'Bobby' on the gate never got the memo ;D
      Enjoy your weekend

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  29. beautiful gate!
    Thanks for sharing with us at "OBW"

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    1. It was my pleasure Manuela,
      I hope you've had a pleasant week and that your weekend is wonderful.

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