When we think of pyramids as architectural designs, most minds will wander to the Egyptian pyramids, such as the Great Pyramid of Giza. However, Scotland has a pyramid of its own, and it’s widely known as The Secret Scottish Pyramid. Nestled in the cosy woodland of Cairngorms National Park in the North East of Scotland, the pyramid has a regal history unrelated to the Ancient Egyptians.
While the area is mostly visited by tourists in search of fascinating medieval castle ruins, The Secret Scottish Pyramid is often overlooked, amidst its enigmatic allure. However, the structure has a tie to the royal family. There are a total of 11 Scottish cairns overall out there, yet the one in question is the largest. For those who wanted to know, a cairn is a man-made structure made of stones that are used as markers, memorials or burial monuments.
The pyramid also has a sentimental meaning to it, as it was built to symbolize Queen Victoria’s love for Prince Albert after his death. Apparently, Prince Albert loved nature and the great outdoors, so the memorial was built in one of his beloved spots not too far from the Royal Balmoral Estate.
Visiting the Secret Scottish Pyramid
Surrounded by majestic woodland on a hill, the Prince Albert’s Pyramid has an instantaneous wow factor overlooking Cairngorms National Park. Finding it is fairly straightforward following the circular woodlands path on the Balmoral Estate, even though there are more routes to reach the destination.
On your way up you will find several smaller cairns along the way, such as Prince Arthur’s Cairn, which was built in 1870 to mark his marriage, preparing you for the culminating sight at the top. Visitors can also witness Princess Royal’s Cairn which marked Albert’s daughter Victoria’s marriage, or Princess Beatrice’s Cairn, who was Victoria’s last dependent to depart from the nest and marry after Prince Albert’s death.
Just make a start from the car park at Crathie (near the toilets), follow the detailed instructions from the Walking Highlands description.
What is more, visitors should make a note of the fact there are no waymarkers to mark the path, so best to screenshot or print the instructions just in case there is no internet at times. There are also a few muddy stretches to be expected, so you’ll need your hiking shoes.
While the origins of The Secret Scottish Pyramid are not that much of a secret, it is worth a visit on the historic path through the woodlands, offering great views of Balmoral Castle and beyond.