Balfour Castle
| Balfour House | |
| Orkney | |
|---|---|
 Balfour Castle | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | HY47481642 |
| Location: | 59°1’54"N, 2°54’60"W |
| Village: | Balfour |
| History | |
| Built 1847 | |
| Country house | |
| Information | |
Balfour Castle is a grand mansion on the southwest of Shapinsay, one of the islands of Orkney. It stands in the hamlet named Balfour, the island's only village, both the village and the house being named for their founder, Colonel David Balfour.
Though built around an older structure that dates at least from the 18th century, the present castle was built in 1847, commissioned by Colonel Balfour, and designed by Edinburgh architect David Bryce.
Prehistory
The small island of Shapinsay has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the most notable evidence being the extant Broch of Burroughston, located not far from Balfour Castle to the northeast;[1] moreover, the Mor Stein standing stone dating to the stone age is found also to the east of Balfour Castle, evidencing even earlier presence of man in the vicinity.
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