In 1351 Sir William Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland, took ownership, followed by the Earls of Huntly, and then Clan Farquharson of Invercauld.

[3] Now within the Balmoral estate, Glas Allt is a stream running down from the 1,000-metre (3,300 ft) plateau of the White Mounth, near Lochnagar.

Passing over the considerable Falls of Glas Allt, the burn runs into a point near the head of Loch Muick through a relatively flat delta amidst otherwise hilly and rocky land.

By the time they stayed at the lodge the following year John Brown had become one of the queen's attendants – he was one of a team of four servants who rowed her party to the head of the loch.

I wish an artist could have been there to sketch the scene; it was picturesque – the boat, the net, and the people in their kilts in the water, and on the shore.

[6][11] Around 1859 Victoria arranged for the Duncans to move to the foot of Glen Muick to live at Rhebreck leaving the shiel unoccupied.

[12][13] By 1868 the old two-room building had been demolished, to be replaced by the present fifteen-room dressed granite residence of twin gables and bow windows looking over Loch Muick.

[9] Held back by the births of their children, they next visited in 1844 when they stayed at Blair Castle and then again in 1847 when they cruised along the Scottish west coast and spent three weeks at Ardverikie where the weather was exceptionally wet.

The couple decided to buy a property in Scotland so they could visit regularly and, on account of Albert's rheumatism, were advised by the royal doctor, Sir James Clark, to consider Deeside where the climate is drier.

Back in England, the couple planned to purchase the estate and build a larger castle adjacent to the existing one.

Albert, with deer stalking in mind, started negotiating to purchase the neighbouring estates of Abergeldie, to the east and Ballochbuie to the west.

He was immediately successful in purchasing Birkhall up into the hills around Loch Muick and by 1849 was able to obtain a long-term lease for sporting rights on Abergeldie which was continually renewed until 2023.

[9][19] Albert had been introduced to deer stalking at Taymouth back in 1840 when he was rather fortunate in successfully shooting a stag and he took up this new pastime finding that the area around Loch Muick on the estate was a good location.

[23] After transcription her original manuscripts were destroyed on her instructions but a few drafts in her handwriting remain – the one of 22 September 1855 mentions Glassalt and an image is available online.

... We rowed up to the head of the Lake & landed at the foot of the Glassalt, where a charming little lodge has been built for Duncan (now one of our Keepers), & there is a little room for us.

"[6] In the entry for 16 September 1852 in Victoria's Leaves from the Journal she describes pony riding and walking from Allt-na-giubhsaich to 500 feet (150 m) above the loch and then descending Glas Allt past the 150-foot (46 m) waterfall and stopping at Glas-allt-Shiel for a packed lunch in a "charming room ... [with] ... a most lovely view".

Felt sad & lonely, thinking of the blessed happy past with dearest Albert, who always had wished to build here, in this favourite spot.

With five of her children and her Lady of the Bedchamber Jane Spencer, Baroness Churchill, Victoria held a house warming party and then they stayed for the night.

They returned some time after I got home, & Louise came to speak to me & tell me, that while walking up to the Dhu Loch, Lord Lorne had told her of his feelings for her & had in fact proposed to her, & Knowing that I would approve & liked him, she had accepted him.

"[37] In time Victoria was happiest living at her remote lodge, writing from Balmoral in 1873 "Felt quite lost in my big sitting room, after the snug little one at the Glassalt.

[15] However, in 1887 Victoria found a new companion, Abdul Karim, the Munshi, and by 1889 she was again able to stay at the cottage, with him as her attendant, despite wide disapproval.

[43][47][48] Up until that time, when royal parties were visiting the lodge backpackers were still allowed to stay in the bothy but they were asked to keep discreetly out of the way.