Glenbuchat Heritage

25 Queen victoria Diary

‘Leaves from the Journal from our life in the Highlands’


Above is a photo of the spine and front page of Queen Victorias ‘Leaves from the Journal from our life in the Highlands’
It is signed by Victoria Rx

In 1864, Queen Victoria decided to produce a book featuring diary extracts from her visits to Scotland with Prince Albert alongside albumen photographs taken by George Washington Wilson. In 1865 and 1867, these private versions of Leaves from the Journal of our Life in the Highlands were distributed to the Queen’s family and friends. Note the newe book was signed in 1868

Because of the close proximity of Castle Newe to Balmoral, the Forbes Family mixed with the Royal family at gatherings, Balls and at least a couple of private lunches

Queen Victoria visited Newe on two occasions, Queen Mary on one occasion and Edward the Prince of Wales on a number of occasions.

VISIT TO STRATHDON
On Thursday the 13th of Sept. 1859, Her Majesty Queen Victoria, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, the Princesses Alice and Helena, honoured this Strath with a visit. The royal party visited the romantic Bridge of Poldhuillie, where they made a abort stay, their way down the Strath. At about half-past three o'clock Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the Royal Princesses honoured Sir Clarke and Lady Forbes with a visit at Castle Newe, where Her Majesty was graciously pleased to rest and partake of refreshment. Sir Charles's guests, Colonel John Forbes, C. 8., Mr Sept. Carlisle, Captain Montagu Batty. (Lady Forbes's brother), and Mr Charles Leith Hay, Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders, were presented to Her Majesty by Sir Charles. The royal party returned to through Casabas o' May and Ballater.

HER MAJESTY, FROM THE COURT CIRCULAR, BALMORAL CASTLE, Thursday Saturday 17 October 1874. The Queen and Princess Beatrice, attended by the Hon. Harriet Phipps, drove yesterday over to Don side, and honoured Mrs. C. Forbes by a visit at Castle Newe

QUEEN'S VISIT TO CASTLE NEWE, STRATHDON.
SIR C. S. FORBES HONOURED. Friday 24 September 1920
Sir Charles Stewart Forbes, Bt. of Newe, had the honour of being visited at Castle Strathdon, on Wednesday her Majesty the Queen, Mary, who was accompanied by Princess Mary, Lord Revelstoke, Lady Bertha Dawkins, Lady Joan Mulholland, and Captain the Hon. Alex. Hardinge. Although this is the first occasion on which the Queen has been at Castle Newe, the late King Edward and Queen Victoria paid many visits there during their sojourns Balmoral. Royally arrived by motor from Balmoral about half-past three, and remained to tea. They were received by Sir Charles S. Forbes, and, in the unavoidable absence of Lady Forbes, by Mrs Blundell Leigh. They were shown over the castle and grounds by Sir bailee, and were greatly interested in all they saw. Among the many things in the castle to which the Queen gave special attention were collections of old china, prints, pictures and Indian weapons. Her Majesty also showed great interest in the poultry farm, where she examined the electric incubators and other appliances of proved worth, inventions of Sir Charles. On leaving the Queen expressed pleasure with all she had seen, and hoped that she would be able to visit Castle again.