By Molly Claire Goddard
12:16pm PDT, Aug 13, 2025
_
Balmoral Castle has closed its gates to visitors for the remainder of the summer.
King Charles III's part-time residence in Scotland announced that it will be shutting down to the public less than two weeks after the estate unexpectedly closed in early August due to dangerous weather conditions in the area.
Keep reading to find out why it's closing again so soon…MORE:
Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news
_
In a statement shared to Balmoral Castle's
Instagram page, the estate announced it will not be welcoming visitors for the time being. "Balmoral Castle, including the grounds, gardens and exhibitions, is now closed to the public. Thank you to everyone who visited the castle and estate during the 2025 summer season. We hope you enjoyed your visit and left with memories to last a lifetime," the estate said. The closure indicates that King Charles III is gearing up for a visit. Members of the royal family typically visit during the late summer each year.
_
Balmoral Castle is a cherished location for the royal family. King Charles III spends most of the late summer at the residence and is fiercely protective of the grounds' Caledonian Forest. "For me, one of the most precious — and almost sacred — parts of the countryside around Balmoral is an area of ancient woodland which forms one of the few remnants of the great Caledonian forest that used to cover much of the Highlands," Charles said in a statement shared on Balmoral's
website.
_
Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days at Balmoral before her death in September 2022. According to royal biographer
Sally Bedell Smith, it was where the late monarch was her happiest. "In some ways it must have made her sad, but in many ways [it was] a great comfort," Smith
wrote of the castle being Elizabeth's place of death.
_
At King Charles III's request, Balmoral Castle started welcoming visitors for guided tours in July 2024. Before that, the public was only allowed on the grounds, in the garden and in the ballroom. "While remaining true to Balmoral's legacy as a cherished Royal home, the castle and estate have never been more welcoming. Visitors now have the chance to explore areas inside the castle, as well as immerse themselves in the estate's abundant wildlife, rich culture and masterful craftsmanship," Balmoral's website states.
