Once again the The Herb Society of America – Southern Michigan Unit joined with Cranbrook House and Gardens to create a display for their annual Holiday Splendor.   Our display was titled  “Queen Victoria at Balmoral – Excursions into the Scottish Highlands”,

The scene set in the Cranbrook Dining Room was inspired by the beautiful Tartans, owned by our members, and the published Diaries of Queen Victoria,  ” Queen Victoria’s Journal : Our Life in the Highlands “.  We placed this book,  published in 1868, next to the framed picture of Victoria, on the small table by the door in the dining room.

The table is set for an intimate dinner, venison pie on the menu and could be at Balmoral, a friend’s smaller estate or even a hostelry in the hills.  Victoria enjoyed these family style, smaller occasions, better than the lavish affairs she often had to attend or give in London.

QUEEN VICTORIA AT BALMORAL :- EXCURSIONS INTO THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS.

Balmoral, the Scottish Royal Castle, existed as a smaller house before Albert designed the new castle especially for her. It was finished in 1856, and the Queen called it her  ” Dear Balmoral “.  On walking through the castle for the first time she said, ” The house is charming; the rooms delightful; the furniture, papers, everything perfection. “

The family enjoyed seclusion at Balmoral, where they could live a private life, if only for a short time each year, not all that different from her subjects.  Her diary entry for October 13, 1856 reads, ” Every year my heart becomes more fixed in this dear Paradise…….my dearest Albert’s own creation…”

When in Scotland she loved nothing more than walking / climbing in the hills and mountains, Albert at her side, and logged the accounts of these excursions in her diaries. Albert hunted and fished in the Highlands, Victoria proud of every success he had. They were often accompanied by one or more of their 9 children, Victoria would walk or sit down to sketch the scene, whilst waiting for Albert to finish his hunt.

Queen Victoria’s subjects loved her, especially the Scottish local people around the Balmoral Estate. She would go shopping in the local store to buy things for the poor, visiting them and delivering a  ” warm petticoat ” or other necessity herself.  Often accompanied by one or more of her children.

Even when away from London, Victoria still had work to do. The ” RED BOX “, the official delivery box from the government in London, contained papers to be read and signed. She also wrote in her diary every day noting that she read, and worked, most days while in Scotland.

They also visited friends and the landed gentry, both English and Scottish, when in Scotland. Also, when travelling on a longer excursion, Victoria liked to travel incognito, not wanting any fuss or special preparations made.  This almost back fired one time, when staying at a small hostelry, the only food to be had was two scrawny chickens.  These to be shared between Victoria, Albert, and a few accompanying servants.  On shorter day trips a picnic was always packed, and eaten on the go.

At the height of The British Empire, a quarter of the world’s land surface was ruled by Victoria. A popular epithet named her  ” Grandmother of Europe “.  She died in 1901, aged 81, after a reign of 63 years.  She outlived her beloved Albert by 40 years.

Getting the room ready:  The team at work.

The room ready for Holiday Splendor