Why has the Royal Family been banned from this 175-year-old hunting tradition?
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For almost two centuries, the Royal Family had spent their pastime shooting and fishing at this Scottish estate near Balmoral Castle.
But now, that long-standing tradition has come to an abrupt end.
It was back in 1852 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased Balmoral Castle, which gave them access to the Abergeldie estate.
The Royal Family had been using the 4,654-hectare Abergeldie estate to fish, deer stalk, and hunt during their free time.
However, due to a recent change in ownership, The Royal Family is no longer welcome on the Abergeldie estate near Balmoral Castle.
Before the change in ownership, the Gordon family, one of the most powerful Scottish clans, owned the estate for more than 500 years—until the death of the 21st Baron of Abergeldie, John Gordon, where they put up the estate for sale in 2020.
It was also reported that an increase in the leasing fee was imposed by the Gordon family on their estate in the late ‘90s, but the late Queen Elizabeth II was more than willing to pay the difference.
The opulent estate boasts 34 homes, cottages, lodges, and farmhouses, excluding the Abergeldie Castle, which is about 3 kilometres away from Balmoral Castle.
It was reported that a 70-year-old man named Alastair Storey purchased the estate for a whopping $44.7 million and has ended the royal lease, with plans to use the estate for commercial shooting.
'For the last 175 years, the Royal Family have leased the sporting rights at Abergeldie, but this has now ceased and will be actively run by the new Laird,' the documents filed with Aberdeenshire Council read.
'To facilitate the transformation and to effectively run the estate, new facilities will be required.'
Mr Storey also wants to build new accommodations 'for paying visitors to support the sporting activities on the estate'.
Despite the dramatic end to this 175-year tradition, it is believed that there are no hard feelings between both parties.
What are your thoughts on the sudden end to this pastime of the Royal Family, dear members? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
But now, that long-standing tradition has come to an abrupt end.
It was back in 1852 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased Balmoral Castle, which gave them access to the Abergeldie estate.
Owned by The Royal Family, the Balmoral Castle gave them access to the nearby Abergeldie estate. Image source: Shutterstock.
The Royal Family had been using the 4,654-hectare Abergeldie estate to fish, deer stalk, and hunt during their free time.
However, due to a recent change in ownership, The Royal Family is no longer welcome on the Abergeldie estate near Balmoral Castle.
Before the change in ownership, the Gordon family, one of the most powerful Scottish clans, owned the estate for more than 500 years—until the death of the 21st Baron of Abergeldie, John Gordon, where they put up the estate for sale in 2020.
It was also reported that an increase in the leasing fee was imposed by the Gordon family on their estate in the late ‘90s, but the late Queen Elizabeth II was more than willing to pay the difference.
The opulent estate boasts 34 homes, cottages, lodges, and farmhouses, excluding the Abergeldie Castle, which is about 3 kilometres away from Balmoral Castle.
It was reported that a 70-year-old man named Alastair Storey purchased the estate for a whopping $44.7 million and has ended the royal lease, with plans to use the estate for commercial shooting.
'For the last 175 years, the Royal Family have leased the sporting rights at Abergeldie, but this has now ceased and will be actively run by the new Laird,' the documents filed with Aberdeenshire Council read.
'To facilitate the transformation and to effectively run the estate, new facilities will be required.'
Mr Storey also wants to build new accommodations 'for paying visitors to support the sporting activities on the estate'.
Despite the dramatic end to this 175-year tradition, it is believed that there are no hard feelings between both parties.
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