Balintore Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balintore Castle |
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| Former names | Balintor Castle |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Architectural style | Scottish baronial |
| Classification | Residence |
| Location | Angus |
| Town or city | Balintore, Angus |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°43′3″N 3°9′40″W / 56.71750°N 3.16111°W |
| Named for | Balintor Tower (incorporated into structure) |
| Construction started | 16th Century |
| Landlord | Dr. David Johnston |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William Burn |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Dr. Paul Bradley |
Balintore Castle is a grand old castle in Scotland. It was built during the Victorian era and is considered a very important historical building. This means it is protected because of its special design and history.
Contents
Discovering Balintore Castle
Balintore Castle sits high up on a moorland. This is an open, wild area of land. It is located above the small village of Balintore. The castle is a few miles north of the Loch of Lintrathen. This is a beautiful lake near Kirriemuir in Angus.
A Castle with History
Before the current castle, a much older tower house stood on this spot. It was called Balintor. Maps from the late 1500s show this earlier building.
Who Designed the Castle?
The famous architect William Burn designed Balintore Castle in 1859. He was known for creating impressive buildings.
What Style Is It?
Balintore Castle is a great example of the Scottish Baronial style. This style looks a bit like old Scottish castles. It has many tall, round towers called turrets. It also has pointed roof sections called gables. There was once a special window that stuck out from the wall, called an oriel window. The main tower has a viewing platform at the top. This platform has a decorative railing, similar to Buchanan Castle.
Inside the Castle
The most important room inside Balintore Castle is the great hall. This would have been a large, impressive room for gatherings. The castle also has a long gallery, which is like a hallway for displaying art. There are many bedrooms, a dining room, and a library. Other rooms included a special room for dinner service and a sitting room for women servants. There was even a beer cellar and a butler's pantry.
The Castle's Purpose
Balintore Castle was built as a sporting lodge. This means it was a large country house used for hunting and outdoor activities.
Who Built It?
The castle was ordered by David Lyon. He was a Member of Parliament, which is a type of politician. He inherited a large amount of money. This money came from his family's investments in the East India Company. This company was very powerful in trade a long time ago. The castle was mainly used during the hunting season.
The Castle's Journey
In the 1960s, a serious problem called dry rot affected the castle. This is a type of fungus that damages wood. It was decided not to fix the damage. Because of this, the castle was left empty.
A Castle in Danger
Balintore Castle stood empty until 2007. During this time, it became very damaged. Its condition was so bad that the building was in danger of falling apart. Since 1990, Balintore Castle has been on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. This list highlights important buildings that need saving.
Saving the Castle
The local government, Angus Council, stepped in to help. They used their special powers to buy the castle. This was done because the owners were not taking care of it. Now, a Scottish person owns the castle. They are working hard to restore it. They are also living there, bringing the castle back to life!
