Story behind Scotland's pyramid erected by queen and tucked away in woodland

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Pyramids are a source of great intrigue and beauty across the globe. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only structure remaining from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.And while the geometric monoliths will forever be linked with the Ancient Egyptians, there are other examples of the incredible creations in various different countries.At the turn of the century, Chichén Itzá was included in the New Seven Wonders of the World list.

The historic Mexican city, built by the Maya, includes several pyramids, with the stunning Temple of Kukulcán the best known.The imposing structures can be found elsewhere in Central and South America, as well as in the Middle East.

But there is also one right here in Scotland.Although much smaller and newer than its cousins in Cairo and Mexico, Prince Albert's Cairn in Aberdeenshire has an interesting history of its own.The four-sided monument was erected in the grounds of the Balmoral Estate by Queen Victoria in 1861, as a memorial to her late husband, who passed away aged just 42.Made from granite and measuring 41ft by 41ft at the base, it is tucked away in the woodlands of Royal Deeside.

It is the largest of the numerous cairns on the grounds of Balmoral, which commemorate members of the Royal Family and their achievements or deaths.Many of them were also commissioned by Queen Victoria, marking the weddings of her children, including Beatrice, Helena and Leopold.Each impressive and touching in their own way, none match up to Prince Albert's pyramid, which was part of the Queen's well-documented mourning for her beloved husband.A plaque on the unique monument reads: "To the beloved memory of Albert, the great and good prince and consort.