Ground work under way to protect royal pyramid

HEAVY footfall has put at risk the iconic monument erected by Queen Victoria as a tribute to her late husband on their beloved Balmoral estate.

- By Mike Merritt

The pyramid is the largest cairn on the 50,000-acre estate and was commissioned in memory of Prince Albert following his death in 1861 and reflects his love for the Highlands. But work is under way to “stabilise the structure of the pyramid for future generations to enjoy” after continually increasing numbers of visitors.

“Due to an increase in visitors to Prince Albert’s pyramid, the ground surrounding the cairn has become severely eroded and the cairn undermined,” said the estate. “To remedy this, we are undertaking a major repair and restoration project on the ground immediately surrounding the cairn. This work will restore the landscape around the cairn and stabilise the structure of the pyramid for future generations to enjoy.”