The pyramid you can visit without leaving the UK

If you want to see a pyramid this summer you don't need to jet off to Egypt or South America, instead just pop up to the Scottish Highlands to see Prince Albert's Cairn.

Prince Albert's Cairn can be found on the Balmoral Estate, along with a number of smaller cairns in memory of members of the Royal Family. Cairns are human-made piles of stones, which a typically placed to mark or represent something, such as a departed loved one.

While the majority of the Balmoral cairns take on a more traditional look, the Prince Albert Cairn has a much more pyramid-like sculpture, which is a rather unusual site in the Scottish Highlands.

Balmoral

Queen Victoria had the pyramid erected following the death of her husband Prince Albert. In her diary the Queen wrote that the pyramid would be built so "it could be seen all down the valley."

And in August 1862 Queen Victoria herself laid the first slab. The pyramid has two inscriptions, the first of which is a passage from Victoria's own prayer book, that reads: "He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time. For his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked."

Victoria also added a second and more personal inscription, which reads: "To the beloved memory of Albert the great and good Prince Consort. Erected by his broken hearted widow Victoria R. 21st August 1862."

Prince Albert's Cairn

As Queen, Victoria presided over a number of cairns being built in Balmoral, many of which were to commemorate her children's marriages, while another was built in honour of her mother.

Another cairn was built in honour of Victoria's favoured servant and close companion John Brown following his death in 1883. However, this was later destroyed when Victoria's son, Edward VII, who disliked Brown ascended to the throne.

Two cairns were later built to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012, with one being placed in the nearby village of Ballater while the other was placed within the Balmoral Estate.

Find out more about the Cairns Walk here.

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