Tourists flock to Scotland for its famous crumbling castles, challenging mountain ranges and glorious green landscapes. But something you wouldn’t expect to see tucked away in the Cairngorms is a triangular stone monument dedicated to Queen Victoria’s beloved husband. Known as Prince Albert’s Cairn, this hidden pyramid is one of the most unusual royal memorials in the country (and you can walk right up to it!)
Whether you’re into history, hiking or just weird things in the woods, this spot near Balmoral Castle is well worth the detour (I actually find it more exciting than the castle itself.)
What is the Scottish Pyramid?
The pyramid is officially called Prince Albert’s Cairn. It was built in 1862 by Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert. It’s the largest of eleven cairns (man-made pile of stones) scattered across the Balmoral Estate, each commemorating different royal family members. While most are simple stone piles, Albert’s is a full pyramid, standing on a hill with sweeping views over the forested landscape. It feels completely out of place, and that’s exactly why people love it.
I first heard about the pyramid in Scotland along time ago, whilst digging around for off-the-beaten-track locations to hit up on my next trip North.
How to get to the Balmoral pyramid
The clue is in the name, and the key is to start at the Balmoral Castle car park. Don’t try to drive closer (like I did) – Google Maps won’t help much and will likely send you on a longer, unnecessary route.
From the car park:
- Cross the bridge (away from the main castle entrance)
- Turn left onto the B976 and follow the road past the estate’s golf course
- Look for a turnoff pointing to Royal Lochnagar Distillery
- At the three-way junction, take the right-hand road (not the distillery one)
- Cross a small bridge and go past a row of stone cottages
- Stop just the guard post – you should see a woodland path going up the hill on the left hand side of the road)
The woodland trail begins here, heading gently uphill. You’ll pass at least one smaller cairn on the way up. The walk is peaceful, scenic and full of fresh pine-scented Highland air.
How long is the walk to the pyramid?
The walk takes around 45 minutes to an hour each way, depending on pace and stops. It’s uphill but not extreme. The path can get muddy in wet weather, so good shoes are a must. If you like a quiet trail with great views and a bit of royal history thrown in, it’s ideal.
This walking route is one of the most beautiful (and peaceful) in the Cairngorms, with a few natural stop points along the way to allow rest from the uphill climb. I’d go as far as to say that it’s one of the best walks in the Cairngorms National Park!
Is the Balmoral Pyramid open to the public?
Yes! You don’t need a ticket or to go into the castle itself. The pyramid sits on the Balmoral Estate but is accessible to the public year-round, unless the estate is closed for royal use. Dogs are allowed on leads.
FAQ: Everything people ask about the pyramid in Scotland
Where is the pyramid in Scotland located?
It’s just above Balmoral Castle in Cairngorms National Park, on top of Craig Lowrigan hill. The nearest access point is the Balmoral Castle car park.
How do you get to the Balmoral pyramid?
Start at Balmoral Castle car park, follow the B976 past the golf course, take the turn toward Royal Lochnagar, then veer right at the split and walk uphill from the woodland path.
Why is there a pyramid in Scotland?
It was built by Queen Victoria in memory of Prince Albert after his death in 1861. It’s one of several cairns on the estate, but the only one shaped like a pyramid.
Can you visit the pyramid near Balmoral Castle?
Yes, it’s free and open to the public most of the year (unless the estate is closed for royal use). No castle ticket required and you don’t have to pay to enter the Balmoral grounds either.
How long is the walk to Prince Albert’s Cairn?
Roughly 45 minutes to an hour each way, depending on your pace and photo stops. It’s uphill most of the way, but nothing too extreme. The trail is well-marked and suitable for most fitness levels.
Is the pyramid in Scotland worth visiting?
Absolutely. It’s peaceful, a bit mysterious, and very different from the usual Scottish landmarks. It’s one of those spots that makes you feel like you’ve found a secret (a feeling that’s becoming more and more difficult to find.) The views from the top are fantastic, and the walk itself is quiet, green, and a nice break from the busier tourist routes – however, in recent years I have found it getting busier in summer months.
Are there other cairns near Balmoral Castle?
Yes, there are eleven in total. Most are smaller, but still interesting if you enjoy royal history.
Looking for other unusual places to see in Scotland? My post about the Isle of Arran highlights a tiny storage container church and ancient standing stones. Or head north and take a look at my North Coast 500 itinerary, packed with stops, prices, and hidden gems.
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19 Comments
Camilla
Hi, and thanks for a great article. How long does the hike from the car park and up to the pyramid take?
All the best,
Camilla
Sarah
Thanks Camilla! It was a fair walk. We left the car at the main palace car park and walked all the way around past it. The road around took a good 20 mins or so itself. The path vears up from a little wooden stop post on the right hand side of the road (where a really helpful man pointed us up the way). From there it took about 30-40 mins to trek through the woods up to the pyramid. This walk can actually be fleshed into a full hike as there is an enormous trail, but we were on a time limit.
Camilla Espelid
Thanks Sarah for the quick reply! This sounds great! I do a lot of hiking so this will be perfect!
Sarah
🙂 Have fun!!!!
Jakub
Can I camp near the pyramid??
Sarah
Hi!
I didn’t scope camp areas out myself, however, as per the Land Reform Scotland Act 2003, wild camping is permitted as long as it is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for a few nights in one place. It should not be in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals and well away from any buildings, roads or historic structures (including the pyramid).
There are ample places on the actual Balmoral Estate where you could wild camp (as per above). For obvious security purposes, you won’t be allowed to camp near royal residences.
Random
If you “do a lot of hiking” then why asking how long will it take to hike there? Shame on you.. lol
Sarah
Without wanting to cause a fuss, would it not just be so they can plan for arrival/weather etc? Scotland is quite unpredictable.
Ontheroadagaintravels
Wish we had read this before trying to find it! Took us forever. Definitely use this guide next time 🙂
Sarah
Oh god, I asked about 6 people how to find it once we got to Balmoral!
Paula
This is definitely somewhere I need to visit at some point… although it may be a little further than I generally care to walk 🤣
Sarah
hahahaha … it’s worth the walk gal!
Lidia
Another one added yo my list 😀
Sarah
Thank youuuuuu 🙂
Rosemarie
Question: Can we park the car at the point the woodland road starts? Or is there no carpark at this point? We will walk with kids that are not likely to hike for a long time 😉
Sarah
Hi there 🙂
Yes, it’s a fair walk unfortunately 🙁
The parking up at the Lochnagar Distillery is a little bit shorter, though I’m not sure if they monitor guest check-ins. When we were there, the right junction that leads you up to the path was built up with mostly residential parking. We didn’t want to gamble it in a bid to respect the locals.
Rosemarie
Thanks! We’ll park at the carpark at the entrance of the castle I think. Thanks for the info.
Lukasz Skorupka
Right! Im going to find this Pyramid this time 🙂 Probably Sunday or Monday 26th-27th of June. Will walk early morning and shoot some videos on the way then will post a video on my yt channel, thanks Sarah for great description of area. 🙂
Sarah
Eeeek!So glad it helped. Good luck 🙂