Balmoral castle is ‘gruesome, ugly and dull’

But a royal biographer has branded the Queen’s Scottish summer retreat as “gruesome” and “totally charmless”.

Thousands of tourists travel from across the world every year to admire the impressive granite building and dramatic mountain scenery that surrounds it.

But the castle has now come under attack by royal biographer and historian Philip Ziegler who calls it “ugly, dull and oppressive” in a new television documentary, describing the royal residence as having “no grandeur and no distinction”.

Last night Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond came to the castle’s defence.

“Balmoral Castle and Estate is a wonderful and impressive centrepiece of Royal Deeside,” he said. “Philip Ziegler is entitled to his view, but I am sure that the locals and visitors alike who love it are far more representative of the public opinion.”

Royal warrant holder John Sinclair, of HM Sheridan butchers at Ballater, said he was surprised to hear the historian’s comments.

And he invited Mr Ziegler to travel up to the estate to have a proper look around.

He said: “I totally disagree with him. Balmoral Castle has a lot of life about it. I don’t know where he gets that from.

“It is very similar to Invercauld House and it is nice as well.

“Balmoral Castle certainly attracts a lot of people to this area. If it wasn’t for that the area would be dead. It is not an ugly place.”

Local MSP Dennis Robertson suggested that Mr Ziegler should take another look when he was in a brighter frame of mind.

But he said everyone was entitled to their own opinions.

Queen Victoria fell in love with the scenery of Royal Deeside and bought the estate in 1852. The original building was eventually demolished to make way for a new castle fit for a Queen.

Yesterday Visit Scotland spokeswoman Shona Anderson said she doubts whether many will agree with Mr Ziegler adding: “Balmoral Castle is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the Scottish tourism crown.”