A picnic spot enjoyed by Queen Victoria on her visits to Balmoral has been saved from ruin by the National Trust for Scotland. The picnic cottage in woodlands near Linn of Quoich on Mar Lodge Estate, Scotland’s largest national nature reserve, close to Braemar, has been restored to its former glory with contractors completing the building work during autumn.
Moxon Architects helped Scotland’s largest conservation charity to develop the plans for the restoration work early last year that were well received by Aberdeenshire Council’s planning department, with listed building consent granted in September 2023.
Contractors Bruden Joinery were brought on board to carry out the work and started in June 2024. They initially focused on clearing rubble from inside the dwelling, before repointing mortar and harling on the cottage walls, dismantling dormer windows and installing doors, windows and floors to make it watertight and accessible.
In addition to repairing the fabric of the building, a covered wooden porch was added to the exterior of the property to help reinstate the cottage’s original features that were discovered during research for the project.
Engage with its history
David Frew, National Trust for Scotland Head of Mar Lodge Estate, said: “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. We have tried to reinstate this sympathetically with the help of our architects Moxon and archival architectural drawings, so that it’s in keeping with the rest of the property and the 19th century period when it was originally constructed. The cottage, built by Princess Louise, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria, around 1850, was saved from disrepair after it was placed on the Buildings at Risk register. The property was in a poor state when the Trust acquired Mar Lodge Estate in 1975, and subsequent works had taken place to stabilise its condition including fixing walls and installing a new roof and shingles in the past. The building is a fascinating look back at how the royals used to spend their free time and we’re incredibly proud to see it restored to how it was in its heyday when Queen Victoria and the royal family would holiday in Balmoral. We’re excited to welcome visitors to experience the new cottage when it officially reopens in 2025 where they will be able to engage with its history. New information boards will be added, and specially commissioned furniture created where they can relax and immerse themselves in the surrounding woodland and nature. I’d like to say a huge thank you to our members and supporters as well as the generosity of our colleagues at the NTS USA Foundation who have made this project possible. This project contributes to the Trust’s objective, outlined in our 10- year Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone strategy, to stabilise and improve the condition of our heritage buildings and structures, ensuring their longevity through restoration and conservation to ensure that they survive for the enjoyment of future generations.”
The cottage is accessed by a footpath leading from the car park at the end of the public road on the estate.
Further information about Mar Lodge Estate is available on the National Trust for Scotland website, www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/mar-lodge-estate.