Had you ever heard of the pyramid in Scotland? I certainly hadn’t.
It may not be quite what you had in mind as your bucket list trip to the pyramids, but this landmark is still worth the trek! The Scottish Pyramid is a real hidden gem!
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Why are there Pyramids in Scotland?
DISCLAIMER: I am no history buff so take the following information with the tiniest pinch of salt...
Queen Victoria fell in love with Prince Albert, with who she later had nine children. She died on the 22nd of January, 1901 at 82 years of age.
To commemorate the marriage and the family they had both conceived, a number of large cairns were erected within the vicinity of Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family. In the area, you’ll be able to find cairns in honour of the following: Princess Beatrice (the youngest), Princess Alice, Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, Princess Louise, Princess Helena… and a ‘Purchase Cairn’ which was constructed to mark the acquirement of Balmoral Estate by Queen Victoria. The largest cairn out of the 12 is Prince Albert’s ‘pyramid’.
To paint the picture a little better, I recommend you watch a movie called 'Young Victoria', before you head off on your cairn-searching endeavour.
It was said that Prince Albert had a great passion for the outdoors, especially the woodlands of Scotland. So with the craftmanship of the constructed pyramid combined with the cracking Scottish views it beholds, you can almost feel the heartfelt emotion Queen Victoria must have experienced upon the early death of her husband.
How to Find the Scottish Pyramids
Princes Albert’s Scottish pyramid is located in the Cairngorms. A fair and leisurely hike through the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire will take you to the landmarks. If you are looking for a hassle-free trip, check to see whether the Queen is currently occupying the estate. This can be done by contacting the visitor centre directly through their website.
Where to Park your Car
Walk Highlands quite rightly suggests that walkers leave their vehicles in the large car parks between Crathie church and the stone bridge across the River Dee. Depending on the time of visit, there may be a parking fee but there are many spaces available (even for motorhomes or caravans).
During low season, you can save yourself a little more energy by following signs for the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. Once you turn onto a single-tracked incline you’ll see the parking spaces on the left. By parking here, you’ll cut about 10-15 minutes off your walking time.
How to Find the Trail
If you begin walking from the Crathie tourist information car park, start heading across the stone bridge and turn left past the iron gates of Balmoral Castle. It’ll be 5-10 minutes along this road before you spot a road sign leading you to the ‘Royal Lochnagar Distillery’. Follow the sign, by turning right at this intersection.
Another immediate right turn will lead you through a group of houses called ‘Easter Balmoral’, where you should then turn left. The single-track road will guide you uphill past a small number of cottages.
See Also: Stac Pollaidh (Scotland's Best Wee Hill Walk for Beginners)
Optional Routes
The collection of cairns can be visited via a pathed circuit through the woodland. There are no signposts for the hike, so please be careful to follow one of the routes below.
Route A: Direct to the Pyramid
If you are here for the pyramid, and the pyramid only; this is the route for you. The disadvantage of following the path this way is that the route is predominately a much higher and instant incline. Route B allows walkers to summit gradually.
The journey time of ‘Route A’ is approximately 1-1.5 hours. That includes climbing to the pyramid, past one cairn, chilling/droning or photo-taking, then returning back the same way.
So, as you walk through the cottages… Make sure to pay attention whilst you continue following the road for approximately 5-10 minutes. There will then come a point where you’ll notice a small, well-kept shed (guardhouse) on the right with an iron gate through the trees (slightly uphill) on the left. Take the path leading to the iron gate. Please remember to close it once you’ve gone through.
From there, it’s a straight climb until you reach the pyramid. You’ll be welcomed halfway up by a large cairn. This is how you can be sure that you are on the correct path.
Route B: 3 Hour Circuit
This route is for the day-trippers who would like the challenge of spotting each individual cairn before finishing on the most impressive sight, the pyramid.
Instead of turning left at the GuardsHouse, continue walking until you reach a wooden gate that is blocking the entire road (pictured below). Turn right immediately after the gate to follow a grassy path that curls around behind the stone house. Once you reach a fork in the trail, turn left through the pine trees and across the foot-bridge.
Continue following the trails to eventually end up back at the GuardsHouse. For more specific pinpoints and routes, please check this map on WalkHighland.
To the beloved memory of Albert the great and good Prince Consort. Erected by his broken-hearted widow Victoria R. 21st August 1862
Pyramid Engraving
…But what is the EXACT Location of the Balmoral Pyramid?
So where is the pyramid in Scotland? The location of the Scottish Pyramid is 57°01’33.8″N 3°13’16.6″W. You couldn’t get any more EXACT than that!
Would you like to find more gems in Scotland? The KatieGoes Google Map Legend gives you access to our map of favourite locations in the Scottish Highlands.
Between Balmoral Estate entrance and the turn off to the Distillery. 
My parents taking a breather on the footbridge. 
Approaching the pyramid…
Have you heard of the Old Boat of Caol? It's another must-see hidden gem of Scotland.
One More Thing!..
Are you heading out into the Scottish Highlands prepared? Don’t leave without the following essentials…
Midge Net
Tick Remover
Midge Spray
Did you manage to find the pyramid in Scotland?… I’d love to know if this guide has helped anyone with their adventures. Alternatively, I can reply with questions you may have before heading off on your pyramid search – good luck!
Let’s Go!
@katie.maree
Scottish Highlands Google Map Legend
This Google Map Legend showcases 140+ need-to-know coordinates within our bonnie Scottish Highlands & Islands:
- Awesome Wild Camping Park-Ups
- Best Walks, Viewpoints, Beaches
- Bucket List Locations
- Accessible Showers & Fresh Water Taps
- Relevant Links to Online Travel Guides
23 comments
I had no idea this existed!! I was just in Scotland too! Now I really have to make a trip back, thanks for sharing!
Awh no way… YES! I hope you had some great experiences whilst you were here.
Now, that’s a “hidden gem”! I’ve never heard of this pyramid before and the story behind it is super interesting!
This is really interesting!! I still haven’t been to Scotland (which is awful since I live in the UK) – I’d definitely like to visit this!
FOR SURE! Wait for the next sunny week or two and make a road-trip out of it.
WOW! I didn’t know that and I would never knew if was not because of your detailed guide. Thanks for letting us know, and it sounds like a must visit place in Scotland.
Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Thanks so much for your support – I appreciate it.
This is the first time that I have heard of this place! Very interesting…
This is such an amazing, hidden gem. Bucket List added! Thank you for creating this so others can find and enjoy also. You rock! (Pun intended)
HAHA YES! Great pun. I know how long it took me to find it so thought I’d just save you all a bunch of time – enjoy!
That’s amazing! I honestly had no idea this pyramid even existed until now. Certainly one for my bucket list.