Royal Family banned from 175yo hunting tradition after being booted from estate

For 175 years the Royal Family has spent time shooting and fishing on this estate near Balmoral Castle. Now its new owner wants them gone.

The royal family has been banned from hunting on the Scottish estate near Balmoral Castle — bringing a dramatic end to their 175-year-old tradition.

Since 1852, the royals have spent time shooting, deer stalking, and fishing on the Abergeldie estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

It’s a pastime that has been in the family since the Balmoral estate was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, which subsequently granted them access to the 4654ha plot.

But after the estate went up for sale in 2020, the new owner has ended the royal lease, which means King Charles and his family are no longer free to use it, the New York Post reports.

Since 1852, the royals have spent time shooting, deer stalking, and fishing on the Abergeldie estate in Aberdeenshire. Picture: Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The hunting estate, which they are now banned from, is close to the royal family’s Scottish home, Balmoral Castle. Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

According to planning documents filed by Abergeldie’s new owner, Alastair Storey plans to revamp the grounds.

“For the last 175 years, the Royal Family have leased the sporting rights at Abergeldie but this has now ceased, and will be actively run by the new Laird,” documents filed with Aberdeenshire council state, per the UK’s Telegraph.

“To facilitate the transformation and to effectively run the estate, new facilities will be required.”

Mr Storey, 70, purchased the estate for $44.7 million and wants it to be used for commercial shooting.

He also wants new accommodation to be built on the estate “for paying visitors to support the sporting activities on the estate”.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Picture: Fox Photos/Getty Images

King Charles, pictured with Diana, Princess of Wales at Balmoral in 1981, has been coming to the Scottish estate since childhood. Picture: AFP

It’s believed that there are no hard feelings from either party, GB News reports.

The Post has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

Before it changed ownership, the estate was owned by the Gordon family for over 500 years.

The Gordon family, a Highland Scottish clan, was historically one of the most powerful Scottish clans, but ultimately sold the estate after the death of the 21st Baron of Abergeldie, John Gordon.

After Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Balmoral Castle in 1852, the leasing agreement gave them the right to use the grounds for pastimes.

In the late ’90s, the Gordon family increased the leasing fee on the estate, but the late Queen Elizabeth II was happy to pay the revised sum.

The plush estate boasts 34 homes, cottages, lodges and farmhouses, but does not include Abergeldie Castle, located about 3km from Balmoral Castle.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Royal Family banned from 175yo hunting tradition after being booted from estate