Balfour Castle

Balfour Castle is a residence on Shapinsay Island featuring seven turrets and dozens of rooms positioned on the southwestern coast. The structure combines Victorian architecture with older elements and stands out in the island's landscape through its distinctive shape.

Colonel David Balfour commissioned architect David Bryce in 1847 to build this residence and incorporate an existing 18th-century structure. The project reflected the growing wealth and architectural ambitions of the Scottish landed gentry during the Victorian period.

Italian craftsmen shaped the interior with marble fireplaces and gilded plaster ceilings that define the character of the rooms. These handcrafted details reflect how international influences reached remote Scottish islands during the Victorian era.

The castle remains in private ownership and is not open to the public, though it once operated as a hotel. Visitors can view the exterior from the island's shoreline and appreciate its distinctive profile from various vantage points around the grounds.

A hidden passage lies behind false bookshelves in the long gallery, connecting different areas of the house without being obvious. This secret route reflects Victorian interests in concealed spaces and private circulation within grand residences.

Location: Orkney Islands

Location: Shapinsay

Inception: 1847

GPS coordinates: 59.03170,-2.91677

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42