This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

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Glass plate negatives

Albert and Victoria’s collection of glass plate negatives show photographers’ working methods

      WILSON & HAY (ACTIVE 1853-55)

      View from Craig Gowan of the old and new houses at Balmoral

      Sep 1854

      Glass plate negative | RCIN 2083973

      Glass plate negative of a view taken from the top of Craig Gowan with the new Balmoral Castle behind and to the left of the old castle building. the foreground is dominated by trees with buildings scattered to the right and background of the old and new buildings.

      The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative exists in the Collection, RCIN 2140230.

      • Creator(s)

        Wilson & Hay (active 1853-55) (photographer)

      • From the collection of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

      • Subject(s)
        • Places
          • Europe
            • Great Britain
              • Scotland
                • Aberdeenshire [Scotland]
                  • Balmoral Castle [Aberdeenshire]
                  • Balmoral Castle (Old) [Aberdeenshire]
                  • Balmoral Estate [Aberdeenshire]
                    • Craig Gowan
        • Geography
          • Physiography
            • Hills
        • Natural Sciences & Mathematics
          • Botany
            • Systematic botany
              • Trees
        Object type(s)
          • visual works
            • photographs
              • negatives
                • glass plate negatives
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