02 September 2022, Starts: 10:00, Ends: 16:00

Open day at Ballone Castle, part of Doors Open Day. No booking needed. Further details on Doors Open Day website.

Ballone Castle was built in 1590 and is a late example of a Medieval Z Plan Tower House. It is a Category A Listed Building with a strong central tower with two further towers on opposite corners. The castle stands on the cliff edge looking out to sea, a mile east of Portmahomack. It was uninhabited from 1693 and gradually became derelict over three hundred years. The ruin was bought in 1990 by Lachie and Annie Stewart, who set about restoring it as a family home.                                                    

The castle and grounds will be open to the public and people can enter the main hall and dining room up a wide staircase. Viewing the upper floors on the guided tour involves negotiating medieval spiral staircases, which may not be suitable for everyone.

For Doors Open Days there will be guided tours of the house on a regular basis by the owner, Lachie Stewart.