My visit in 1960s was overwhelming, taken out to far edges of island bird watching, long hikes, with fantastic meals upon return. Family treated us as family.
I visited the castle in 1994 for three times. I am very happy to see that the castle is saved and is a superb hotel now. I keep it always in my mind and hopefully I can visit it again.
Yes, sadly it is no longer a hotel or available for hire, although some of the old (rather weather-beaten) signs still flutter around the island advertising that it can be hired out... It's a shame & a shame for the island in many ways...
My ancestors shipwrecked on Westray from Spain via the El Gran Grifon during the Spanish Armada. They later married into the Balfour family in the 1700’s.
Balfour Castle was the creation of two distinguished men; David Balfour, the 4th Laird of Balfour and Trenaby and David Bryce, the pre-eminent Scottish architect of his generation and leading exponent of the Scottish Baronial style.In 1847 the foundations for Balfour Castle were put in place and the castle was completed three years later. This is a rare example of a calendar house originally planned with 7 turrets, 12 external doors, 52 rooms and 365 sections of window. You imagine the views!
My ancestors, the Shearers, migrated from the Island of Shapinsay in the late 1840s. There was trouble between Lord Balfour and the inhabitants, as he tried to expel them from their farmhouses to create 10 acres allotments. I visited the island in 1988 but there was no access to the Castle in those days, to my knowledge. Great to see this video. Thanks, Richard.
+Jennifer Hicks yes, later the name on the continent changed to Balfoort There are three books About the history of the Balfours on the continent andere I only have part one
+Sjoerd Balfoort Do you know from which branch of the Balfours you descend? Sir Gilbert Balfour who was ultimately killed for treason in Sweden is the only Balfour I know of to have European connections
My visit in 1960s was overwhelming, taken out to far edges of island bird watching, long hikes, with fantastic meals upon return. Family treated us as family.
I visited the castle in 1994 for three times. I am very happy to see that the castle is saved and is a superb hotel now.
I keep it always in my mind and hopefully I can visit it again.
The website now says it a "private house". Looks like the tours, weddings and hotel functions have stopped. Too bad.
Yes, sadly it is no longer a hotel or available for hire, although some of the old (rather weather-beaten) signs still flutter around the island advertising that it can be hired out... It's a shame & a shame for the island in many ways...
My ancestors shipwrecked on Westray from Spain via the El Gran Grifon during the Spanish Armada. They later married into the Balfour family in the 1700’s.
Balfour Castle was the creation of two distinguished men; David Balfour, the 4th Laird of Balfour and Trenaby and David Bryce, the pre-eminent Scottish architect of his generation and leading exponent of the Scottish Baronial style.In 1847 the foundations for Balfour Castle were put in place and the castle was completed three years later. This is a rare example of a calendar house originally planned with 7 turrets, 12 external doors, 52 rooms and 365 sections of window. You imagine the views!
My ancestors, the Shearers, migrated from the Island of Shapinsay in the late 1840s. There was trouble between Lord Balfour and the inhabitants, as he tried to expel them from their farmhouses to create 10 acres allotments. I visited the island in 1988 but there was no access to the Castle in those days, to my knowledge. Great to see this video. Thanks, Richard.
Yes, I recognise your relatives. Where do you live now. I am in South Australia.
My forfathers lived there.......
Your name is very interesting - is it a derivation of Balfour? I'm descended from the Westray Balfours.
+Jennifer Hicks yes, later the name on the continent changed to Balfoort
There are three books About the history of the Balfours on the continent andere I only have part one
+Sjoerd Balfoort
Do you know from which branch of the Balfours you descend?
Sir Gilbert Balfour who was ultimately killed for treason in Sweden is the only Balfour I know of to have European connections
+Jennifer Hicks I'm visiting my parents now and wil be home sunday evening.....
I'll look it up for you.
Sjoerdbalfoort@gmail.com
+Jennifer Hicks I think the first name at the family tree was William.... it's been a long time I looked in our history so I let you know sunday