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Visiting Balvaird Castle
Located just south of Abernethy and overlooking the A912, Balvaird Castle is one of the few complete tower house castles in eastern Scotland. Balvaird Castle was built for nobility in 1495 and improved throughout the sixteenth century. Although the tower house itself is not open to the public, the grounds and courtyards are available and accessible to the public.
Parking
There is a visitor's lot at the bottom of the hill. Even when the parking lot is closed, there is enough room near the entrance to park and climb to explore the castle ruins.
Price
Free
Opening
The castle is open year round, although the interior of the building is closed.
Location and Access
The castle is visible from the nearby A912, just southeast of the Bridge of Earn. Coming from the north, you'll get off the highway right after Millden Road and park in the car park. You'll turn left off of A912 to access the castle.
From the south, you'll turn right into the castle road off the main road. Follow the signs to Balvaird Castle and pull into the car park. Either way, if you're on A912 near Newton of Balcanquhal, you'll be able to find the castle with ease.
Know Before You Go
- The castle itself is closed, but the courtyards and gardens are open
- There’s a brief walk to the top of the hill from the parking lot
- The castle grounds are wheelchair accessible, but there are some rough patches
- There is no gift shop or town directly near the castle
- The castle is generally not very busy
Places To Stay Nearby
Although Balvaird Castle isn't in a city or town, there are several places to stay near the castle. It's only 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) from Perth, where there are several excellent hotels and bed and breakfasts. If you're interested in the coast, you can also stay in Saint Andrews, a larger town on the English Channel.
History of Balvaird Castle
Balvaird Castle was built in 1495 for Sir Andrew Murray upon his marriage to Margaret Barclay. The Murray family lived in the castle for two centuries before moving to Perth. The castle was abandoned in 1850, restored in 1983, and is one of the most complete Scottish castles in the area.
Time Line
-1495 (Castle Built)
Balvaird Castle was built for Sir Andrew Murray and his new wife, Margaret Barclay. They lived in the castle for the rest of their lives.
-1567 (Gatehouse Built)
The castle's gatehouse was built. During this time, the family also added the courtyards and walled gardens to the castle.
-1658
The Murray family moved to Scone Palace in Perth upon receiving an increase in social ranking. Over the next two hundred years, farmers occupied the castle.
-1850 (Castle Abandoned)
By this time, Balvaird Castle had fallen into disrepair. It remained owned by the Murray family and unoccupied for another century.
-1974 (Castle Renovated)
Historic Scotland began restorations on the castle. Not long after, the castle was open to the public for tours and exploration of the grounds.
-2017
American entrepreneur Brady Brim-DeForest purchased the castle and grounds. It continues to be open to the public year-round.
Balvaird Castle Occupants
Once Sir Andrew Murray and his new wife moved into Balvaird Castle, the Murray family were the sole occupants for almost two hundred years. They moved permanently to Scone Palace in Perth once Sir Andrew's descendant, the second Lord Balvaird, was made the Viscount of Stormont.
As the family increased in wealth and social rank, they continued to add to the castle and renovate it. Much of what is standing today are these new additions, although the basic L-shaped structure of the tower is part of the original. The Murrays added the courtyards, gatehouses, and gardens throughout their time there.
The family lived in the tower until their promotion to be viscount of Stormont when they moved to Perth to live in the considerably more comfortable Scone Palace. Once the Murray family were in Perth, the castle became a home for various day laborers and farmers.
After the Murray family left, the castle was inhabited by farmers until it fell into disrepair. By the mid-nineteenth century, Balvaird Castle was a ruin. Final restorations began in the late 1900s by Historic Scotland, who continued with the castle's upkeep. Now it sits unoccupied on the hill, visited by sightseers.
Images of Balvaird Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Balvaird Castle Facts
Although Balvaird Castle doesn't have an incredibly long history, it is unique in many aspects. Several things make the castle stand out from other ruins in the area. Here are some fun facts about Balvaird Castle:
- “Balvaird” comes from the Gaelic for “Township of the Bard.”
- The same family owned Balvaird Castle from 1495 until 2017.
- Balvaird Castle was likely built on the ruins of an older building: there are remnants of more ancient fortifications around the castle.
- Visitors can see the older ruins in the form of wall footings and foundations.
- The castle is unique for having the kitchen on the ground floor.
- The privies are located within the castle walls for cleanliness.
- There are two separate outdoor gardens: a walled "pleasance" and a regular house garden.
- The inner and outer courtyards were added at the same time as the guardhouse.
- The guard tower itself is modeled after the main castle; it looks like a smaller version of the castle.
- The roof walkway goes all the way around the rooftop.
Balvaird Castle Q&A
Is the Castle Busy?
Balvaird Castle is never crowded--at most, there might be two or three other visitors. While more visitors arrive when the doors are open, it still will be relatively peaceful and quiet.
Can I Bring My Pets?
Pets are welcome as long as you clean up after them and they are kept on a leash. There are open fields and a large hill for animals to exercise.
Is Balvaird Open to the Public?
Balvaird Castle is always open to the public and completely free. Courtyards and walled gardens surround the castle, and you can visit it at any time.
Most days, the castle itself is closed and locked. However, if you visit on a Doors Open Day, you'll be able to go inside the castle and see the complete tower house. These specific days are announced in advance and include many courts and historic buildings throughout Scotland.
When the castle is open, you'll be able to climb the stairs and walk around the roof to the lookout tower. The interior is quiet and dark. Because Balvaird Castle is a remarkably complete example of a medieval Scottish tower house, you can access the castle inside only when the doors are unlocked.
Is the Castle Child Friendly?
Yes! The castle's grounds provide an ideal space for children to run around and explore. Of course, they will have to be careful near some of the ruins, but there are no hazards for children.
How Much Walking Is Involved?
There isn't a lot of walking involved in the castle grounds. You will have to walk up the hill, which will take from five to ten minutes. However, the grounds themselves are relatively small and have lots of places to sit and rest.
Location of Balvaird Castle
Balvaird Castle is located in central-eastern Scotland, 40 kilometres (24.85 miles) from the coast near Saint Andrews and 16 kilometres (9.94 miles) south of Perth. The castle sits in the Ochil hills, deep in the countryside of Scotland.
Other Places To Visit Near Balvaird Castle
Balvaird is not far from Saint Andrews and Perth, both Scottish towns with great historical import. In Saint Andrews, you can visit Saint Andrews Castle, a magnificent piece of architecture. The Dunkeld Cathedral is in Perth (as is Scone Palace, where the Murrays moved after Balvaird Castle).
Several castles, abbeys, and other historical buildings are within a short drive from Balvaird Castle. They are in varying states of ruin and decomposition. Many of them are available for touring any time of the year, and most are free to explore. Here are some of the closest to Balvaird:
- Blairadam House
- Museum of Abernethy
- Abernethy Round Tower
- Burleigh Castle
- Elcho Castle
- Lochleven
- Lindores Abbey
- Falkland Palace
- Scone Palace
- Saint Andrews Castle
- Kinross House
If you're in the area, make sure to check out these other great houses and castles. Some require booking and paid parking, so be sure to research that before you go. Because of the high demand post-pandemic, several more significant historical locations in Scotland require advance booking.
Eastern Scotland is full of beautiful landscapes and historic beauty. If you are running a castle tour of Scotland, you can't miss the tower house at Balvaird Castle. Even if you don't make it on a Doors Open Day, you'll be able to explore the grounds of this impressive castle.