UK has its very own secret pyramid many tourists are unaware of
The UK has it's very own pyramid, and almost none of us knew about it. Well, that is, until now.
You don't have to book flights to Egypt to get a glimpse of its iconic pyramid structures anymore, because it seems that we've been dismissing the UK for having them at all.
While many are aware of the Mesoamerican pyramids in Mexico or the Nubian pyramids in Sudan, many wouldn't even consider this part of the world to include the magnificent structures.
But it turns out that we just needed to look north, to the Scottish Highlands in particular, to find the nation's answer to the pyramids. And while it isn't anywhere as big as The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, it is a great find nonetheless.
Advert
Its location is in Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeenshire, and while there are 16 cairns to look out for, one stands out as a distinct pyramid shape.
Historically known as Prince Albert's cairn, it was erected by Queen Victoria in 1861 in memory of her late husband.
A Cairn is usually made of stacks of stones, and is used as a memorial or burial monument, and while they have been around for centuries, not many knew of this one.
Prince Albert's cairn is the largest of the 11 memorials that also happen to be situated on the Balmoral estate in Scotland, with the granite pyramid standing at 41ft (12.5m).
All the memorials are used to honour members of the Royal Family, with most of these monuments being erected under the order of Queen Victoria, particularly to mark the marriages of her children.
There are also two cairns that celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. However, Prince Albert's Cairn is the show-stopper, being built in a perfect pyramid-shape that can compared to the structures built in Ancient Egypt and the times of the Aztecs.
It even provides stunning panoramic views of the Scottish Highlands, if being a pyramid wasn't enough.
It's been around for over 150 years, and while it is referred to as the Balmoral Pyramid, the cairn has stayed hidden in the Scottish forest as one of the country's hidden gems, with many tourists unaware of its existence.
But this isn't the only pyramid-resembling structure in the UK, as if we hop across the Irish Sea, a structure known as as the Garvagh Pyramid or 'The Vault' is located in the Garvagh Forest in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
At just 18ft tall, the pyramid isn't as large, though it was built in the 19th century by George Canning, the first Lord Garvagh, after being inspired by a trip to Egypt.
Intended to be his burial vault, he seemingly changed his mind, and the vault remains empty.
So there's not just one, but two pyramids in the UK. Who knew?
Joshua Nair