Former head gardener to King Charles III, Jack Stooks, has shared insights into how the Royal Family spends time at Balmoral Castle, describing the Aberdeenshire estate as their "Scottish home" and revealing a surprisingly laid-back atmosphere for guests.
A Peaceful Escape from Royal Duties
Stooks, who travelled to Ballater with the Royal Family on many occasions, said the estate offers a more relaxed environment than other royal residences, allowing the family and their guests to truly unwind. "It was never about grand entertainment," he explained. "People would spend their time walking along the river and through the estate, popping into the village of Ballater, and simply enjoying being together. There's a wonderful sense of peace about the place."
While the King still works late into the night, Stooks noted that Charles loves to paint at Balmoral and takes the opportunity to "switch off" for a while, along with taking long walks and fishing—a hobby passed down through the family.
A Normal Childhood Away from Public View
Stooks revealed to Smooth Spins Casino that the late Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother were keen fisherwomen, and as a child, Charles was taken out on the Queen's old ghillie for the family tradition. Balmoral was also one of the few places where royal children could act like regular kids.
"For the late Queen and Prince Philip, Balmoral was incredibly special because it was where the whole family could simply be themselves," Stooks shared. "When the children were young, they spent their days running around the hills, splashing in streams, chasing cows, having picnics, walking the ponies and taking out the dogs. King Charles and his siblings grew up fishing, exploring the countryside and escaping the bustle of London. It was one place where they could enjoy a normal childhood away from public view."
An Overwhelming Feeling of Coming Home
Nowadays, Charles and Queen Camilla are more likely to enjoy browsing the local area while soaking up the freedom and peace the estate provides. Reflecting on his own experience, Stooks said, "I always loved going up to Balmoral myself. Even when I was there for work, it felt like going on holiday. There's something about leaving Highgrove behind and driving alongside the River Dee towards Ballater that gives you an overwhelming feeling of coming home."
He added: "It's an incredibly beautiful part of Scotland, and it completely captured my heart. Once you've experienced that feeling, it's very easy to understand why Balmoral means so much to the Royal Family. It isn't just another royal residence - it's their Scottish home."
