Balfour Castle facts for kids
Balfour Castle is a grand old building found on the island of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It's a special place with a long history!
While parts of the castle are much older (from the 1700s), the castle you see today was mostly built in 1847. A man named Colonel David Balfour asked a famous architect, David Bryce, to design it. This castle is so important that it's a "Category A listed building," which means it's protected by law because of its historical value. Even its beautiful gardens are listed as special places in Scotland!
As of 2021, Balfour Castle was being used as a hotel, where people could stay and experience its history.
Contents
A Look at the Castle's History
Balfour Castle was built for Colonel David Balfour, a member of the Balfour family who owned much of Shapinsay. The architect, David Bryce, was well-known for designing many grand buildings in Scotland during the Victorian era. He often used a style that looked like old Scottish castles, which is why Balfour Castle has that classic, strong appearance.
What Makes it Special?
Balfour Castle is known for its impressive design. It has towers, turrets, and thick stone walls, making it look like a fairytale castle. The inside is also very grand, with large rooms and beautiful details. The castle is surrounded by lovely gardens and parkland, which were also carefully designed.
Shapinsay's Ancient Past
The small island of Shapinsay, where Balfour Castle stands, has been home to people for a very long time. We know this because of amazing ancient sites found there.
Ancient Buildings and Stones
One important ancient building is the Broch of Burroughston. A "broch" is a type of round, stone tower built by people in the Iron Age, thousands of years ago. This broch is not far from Balfour Castle.
Another ancient site is the Mor Stein, which means "Great Stone." This is a large standing stone that dates back to the Stone Age, even before the brochs! These ancient monuments show that people lived and built things on Shapinsay long before Balfour Castle existed.
