How to find the Cairngorms Pyramid in Scotland

Have you seen the mysterious secret Scottish pyramid on social media and wondered where it is? Well, below you’ll discover exactly how to find this secret Cairngorms Pyramid that’s actually not so secret at all.

The pyramid is actually one of the Balmoral Cairns and can be found in the Balmoral Estate. There are official Cairngorms walking trails to get to the Pyramid and the other Balmoral Cairns built to commemorate members of the Royal Family.

The hardest part is timing your visit just right for when the estate is open to the public. The estate is closed for much of the year and for when the Royal Family is in residence.

If you want to find this unique thing to do in the Cairngorms then read on to see my guide to finding the secret Scottish pyramid.

Cairngorms Pyramid Facts

The Balmoral Cairns, often referred to as the Scottish pyramid (though there’s actually only one pyramid), have deep connections to the British royal family.

There are 11 of these cairns in Balmoral in total with many being large stone stacks and 1 being a huge pyramid. Seriously, it’s way bigger than I thought it would be.

Each of the Balmoral Cairns commemorate Royal Family members and the biggest one was built for Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert who passed away in 1861. He loved nature, so this beautiful spot near Balmoral Castle was chosen to remember him.

The 10.5 m (35-foot) tall pyramid is found on the Balmoral Royal Estate in Aberdeenshire in Cairngorms National Park. It’s surrounded by beautiful woodland and you’ll need to take a short hike to see it.

Perhaps you’re wondering what a cairn is? Put simply, it’s a human-made rock pile.

They can mark graves, show paths when you’re out hiking, or stand as monuments like those found on. the Balmoral Estate.

Note: When you walk into the Balmoral Estate it can feel a bit like you’re trespassing, but as long as there are no closed signs, you’re good to go.

How to find the Pyramid in Scotland

The Prince Albert’s Pyramid sits within the forest on part of the Balmoral Estate alongside 10 other cairns.

There are a couple of different walking routes you can take to find the Cairngorms Pyramid. There’s a more direct route that just goes past a couple of the cairns, and there’s also a loop trail that takes you past more of them.

Along the way you’ll see some beautiful views out over the Cairngorms National Park.

Direct walk to Prince Albert’s Cairn

• Duration: Approx. 1 hour
• Distance: 3 km round trip
• Difficulty: Easy – Moderate (there’s a bit of a steep hill)

This walk begins from the Balmoral Car Park which is just off the main road (see details below). You’ll cross over the River Dee on a green bridge, going slightly to the left and past a historic memorial.

You’ll then pass through the Balmoral Estate’s big gates and head uphill towards the Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

You don’t go straight to the distillery, the signs will point you away from it and past some beautiful stone houses that are in the village of Easter Balmoral. Then you’ll head up and then into the forest.

Be sure to follow the signs that keep you on track and I also recommend following the map on AllTrails.

As you go uphill into the forest, you’ll pass by Princess Beatrice’s Cairn which is also quite tall and interesting to look at.

As you continue following the path uphill and deeper into the forest you’ll go up a steep section where you’ll catch glimpses of Prince Albert’s Cairn to your right. While you can’t explore the Cairngorms Pyramid inside, you can walk all the way around it and enjoy the views of the estate.

Spend some time admiring the cairn, and the views, and then head back down the way you came to the car.

Alternatively, you can do the rest of the Pyramids Circular walk in Balmoral Estate.

Navigating while on the trail: You can find this hike on AllTrails which is my usual go-to for planning my hikes, navigating, checking trail conditions and, if hiking solo, making sure others know I’m safe. The OS Map app is one of the best hiking apps for trails in the UK and is just like having hundreds of OS maps in your pocket!

Scottish Pyramid Circular Walk

• Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
• Distance: 8.7 km
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Balmoral Cairns loop walk starts from the same parking lot on the far side of River Dee to the woodlands.

You’ll cross over the bridge, through the Balmoral Estate entrance gates, and then past the outskirts of Easter Balmoral village

You’ll follow the trail as outlined above, going first past Princess Beatrice’s Cairn and then Prince Albert’s Pyramid.

You’ll make your way downhill a bit before a short climb where you’ll find yourself in a bit of a clearing and see Princess Helena’s Cairn. From here as you continue you’ll pass by Princess Louise’s Cairn, Purchase Cairn, take a short detour to Prince Arthur’s Cairn, Princess Alice Cairn and rejoin the main trail down to Prince Leopold’s Cairn.

Each cairn has its own story and the Purchase Cairn, for example, is pretty unique offering wide panoramic views of Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park.

Prince Leopold’s Cairn is also worth visiting since you’ll get a great view of Balmoral Castle from here. There’s a bench up here too so it’s a great spot to take a break if needed.

You can also do this trail in reverse, starting with Prince Leopold’s Cairn.

How to get to the Balmoral Cairns Scotland

The best way to get to the Balmoral Cairns walk is by car as public transport schedules can be few and far between meaning you’re hanging about waiting for a long time.

If you’re visiting the Cairngorms without a car, then you can take the 203 bus from Balmoral or Braemar to Crathie. It takes under 30 minutes to get to the trailhead for the Cairngorm Pyramid.

For those driving, the nearest car park to Prince Albert’s Pyramid and the Balmoral Cairns walk is Balmoral Carpark which is right by the Crathie Tourist Information Centre off the A93 main road.

There is a lot of parking here, with additional parking on the field just behind the visitor center which you may need to use depending on how busy the area is during your Cairngorms trip.

Balmoral Car Park fees can be paid by cash or card, as follows:

• Car: £5
• Minibus + Campervans: £5
• Campervans (overnight): £10
• Coaches: £10

What to know about the Balmoral Pyramid Scotland

Before you head off to find the Cairngorms Pyramid, be sure to check out this list of things to know with regard to parking, opening hours, and more.

• Parking: General parking is available in the car park next to the A93 at Crathie
• Drones: The flying of drones, within one kilometer of the Castle, is not permitted.
• Balmoral Opening hours: The Balmoral Estate is closed all August when the Royal Family is in residence. Please check the official website to see other opening details throughout the year.
• Dogs at Balmoral: When Balmoral is open to the Public dogs are welcome in the grounds and gardens at Balmoral. However, they should be kept on a lead.
• Toilets: There are no toilets on the trail. If you need to go for a number 1, be sure to do it far from water sources and do not leave tissues on the ground. A Kula cloth is a great alternative.
• Wet conditions: In rain, the trail can get very muddy and slippery. Always wear good walking shoes, hiking or walking boots, or trail runners.
• Leave no trace: Always pack out everything you take with you. Ideally, leave things better than you found them.
• Cairngorms Pyramid history: These cairns are over 100 years old and were built to commemorate members of the Royal Family.
• Pyramid in Scotland location: The pyramid is on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland.

FAQs about the Cairngorms Secret Pyramid

Final thoughts on how to find the Pyramids in the Cairngorms

The Cairngorms Pyramid, also known as Prince Albert’s Cairn is a testament to love and memory and can be found within the Cairngorms National Park on Balmoral Estate in Scotland, UK.

If you’re looking for more things to do in the Cairngorms, be sure to check out these walks in the Cairngorms to places like Lochnagar, this guide to the Green Loch near Aviemore and the best things to do in Aviemore as well as where to stay in Aviemore Scotland.

Or, discover some of the other beautiful places to visit in Scotland including Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, these beautiful Arran beaches, and this guide to what to do in Glencoe. If cities are more your style, check out how to spend on day in Edinburgh, and these awesome things to do in Glasgow for free.