Queen Victoria's favorite picnic spot at Balmoral has been rescued from destruction.

The National Trust for Scotland has successfully saved a beloved picnic spot from ruin, preserving a piece of history enjoyed by none other than Queen Victoria herself during her visits to Balmoral. The spot, a quaint cottage nestled in the woodlands near Linn of Quoich on Mar Lodge Estate, has been restored to its former glory thanks to the hard work of contractors who recently completed the building work this autumn.

This charming cottage, originally built around 1850 by Princess Louise, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was in a state of disrepair when it was placed on the Buildings at Risk register. Thankfully, the Trust acquired Mar Lodge Estate in 1975 and has been working tirelessly to stabilize and maintain the property ever since. Previous efforts included fixing walls, installing a new roof and shingles, and other necessary repairs to keep the cottage standing.

The recent restoration efforts focused on clearing rubble from inside the cottage before moving on to repointing mortar and harling on the walls. The contractors also dismantled dormer windows and replaced doors, windows, and floors to ensure the cottage was watertight and accessible. But it wasn't just about fixing the structure of the building -- the team also wanted to bring back some of the property's original features that were discovered during their research.

David Frew, Head of Mar Lodge Estate, explained, "Our archival research and subsequent archaeological survey showed that there used to be a porch on the property, with our archaeologists discovering post holes for the structure during research on site." With the help of their architects Moxon and archival architectural drawings, the team was able to sympathetically reinstate the porch, ensuring it was in keeping with the rest of the property and the 19th century period in which it was originally constructed.

The result is a stunning look back at how the royals used to spend their free time, and the Trust is immensely proud to see the cottage restored to its former glory. Queen Victoria and the royal family would often holiday in Balmoral, making this picnic spot a special and significant place. Visitors will soon be able to experience the cottage for themselves when it officially reopens in 2025.

But the cottage is just one of many treasures on Mar Lodge Estate. There is plenty to explore and discover on Scotland's largest national nature reserve, located close to Braemar. And for those who can't get enough of Scotland's rich history and stunning landscapes, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field and read the latest issue for more captivating stories.

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