Balmoral, Thursday, August 21, 1862

At eleven o’clock started off in the little pony-chair (drawn by the Corriemurzie pony, and led by Brown), Bertie, who had come over from Birkhall, on foot, the two girls on ponies, and the two little boys, who joined us later, for Craig Loiarigan, and I actually drove in the little carriage to the very top, turning off from the path and following the track where the carts had gone. Grant and Duncan pushed the carriage behind. Sweet Baby (Beatrice) we found at the top. The view was so fine, the day so bright, and the heather so beautifully pink— but no pleasure, no joy! all dead!

And here at the top is the foundation of the cairn— forty feet wide—to be erected to my precious Albert, which will be seen all down the valley. I and my poor six orphans all placed stones on it; and our initials, as well as those of the three absent ones, are to be carved on stones all round it. I felt very shaky and nervous.

It is to be thirty-five feet high, and the following inscription to be placed on it:—

TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF
ALBERT, THE GREAT AND GOOD PRINCE CONSORT,
RAISED BY HIS BROKEN-HEARTED WIDOW,
VICTORIA R.
AUGUST 21, 1862.

“He being made perfect in a short time fulfilled a long time;
For his soul pleased the Lord,
Therefore hastened He to take him
Away from among the wicked."

Wisdom of Solomon, iv. 13, 14.

Walked down to where the rough road is, and this first short attempt at walking in the heather shook me; and tired me much.