Glenbuchat Heritage

35 Letter to Sir Charles from Balmoral Castle 1868

Letter From Balmoral to Sir Charles 1868

The letter above, enclosed in a Balmoral Castle folder was sent to Sir Charles Forbes by Dr Andrew Robertson, the Queens Commissioner to inform him of the arrival of a signed copy of Queen Victoria’s ‘Journal in the Highlands’.

Below is a photograph of Dr Andrew Robertson, Queen Victoria’s Commissioner at Balmoral. See below for details about Dr Robertson.

Click to see the Copy of the book and Victoria’s inscription.

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Click to see the album of Treasures of Castle Newe

Transcript of the Letter

Balmoral Castle
28h May 1868


Dear Sir Charles

In an interview I had yesterday with The Queen, I took the liberty of mentioning to her Majesty that I understood that no copy of her Majesty’s “Journal in the Highlands: had been presented to you, and such I felt since you would be gratified by such a mark of her attention. Her Majesty immediately replied “I am glad you mentioned that, he is an excellent man Sir Charles and I shall send him a copy which you will forward”

These were her Majesty’s exact words. Last night the volume was sent to me, and in compliance with Her Majesty’s commands, I have this day forwarded by Book Post addressed to you at Broomwood, ‘The Journal’. On the fly leaf, you will find Her Majesty Autograph presentation.

I hope that I will hear from you that the Volume has reached you in safety, addressed to me here.

May I beg to be remembered to Lady Forbes, who I regret to hear has of late been far from hale

Believe me
Dear Sir Charles

Yours faithfully
Andrew Robertson

Sir Charles Forbes Bart.

Explanation of the letter ending

Note the now dated use of ‘Believe me’ at the end of the letter

‘Believe me’ phrase
said when emphasizing that something is true:

Victoria herself used this phrase.

With every earnest wish for your welfare & happiness (at least as much as you can still enjoy in this weary World) believe me always,
Your affectionate & unhappy friend
Victoria R.

Dr Andrew Robertson

Dr Andrew Robertson was the royal commissioner at Balmoral between 1848 and 1875. He was born at Perth in 1799 and became a licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1818. Andrew Robertson then set up a medical practice at Crathie and, at that time, there was only one other doctor within 50 miles of the village. It was a necessity for Dr Robertson to travel about his territory by horse if he was to reach his patients, especially in winter. He was a skilled horseman.

Andrew Robertson married his first wife, Anne, in 1828 and they had a family of six, the last child being born in 1842, shortly before her death. A subsequent marriage in 1847 produced no children. In 1833 he moved from Crathie to Blelack House, Logie Coldstone and then, in 1838, he settled at Indego Cottage, Tarland. Later, in 1864, Dr Robertson bought the estate of Hopewell in Tarland. He died in Aberdeen in 1881.

Andrew Robertson gave up his medical practice soon after being appointed royal commissioner. Robertson helped the royal couple to settle in at Balmoral on their first visit in 1848 and then managed the major improvements to the estate over the next few years, including the construction of the new Balmoral Castle which was completed in 1855, the Brunel bridge at Crathie in 1856, the construction and improvement of various cottages on the estate and the erection of the new Glas-allt-Shiel retreat on the shores of Loch Muick in 1867 - 1868.

In 1858 he was awarded the degree of MD by Kings College Aberdeen. Andrew Robertson frequently dined with Her Majesty at Balmoral. The monarch said of him, “He is highly esteemed, and is a most amiable man, who has carried out all the Prince's and my wishes admirably.”


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