Ballone Castle
🏰 Castles of Scotland: The Z-Plan Masterpiece
Ballone Castle
If you’re taking the van up toward the "top right" of the Highlands, past Tain and toward the fishing village of Portmahomack, you’ll find one of the most stunning architectural recoveries in the country. Ballone Castle stands tall once again, a perfect example of a Z-plan tower house that was nearly lost to time.
📍 Location
Where is it? Located on the Tarbat Peninsula in Easter Ross, about 10 miles northeast of Tain.
Setting: It sits on a low cliff overlooking the Moray Firth. The views across the water toward the hills of Sutherland are simply hypnotic.
Coordinates: 57.828N, 3.824W ///sweetener.hands.station
Van Access: The roads on the Tarbat Peninsula are
generally good, but the castle itself is a private residence. You can see it
beautifully from the coastal paths. I recommend parking in Portmahomack and
taking the coastal walk—it’s brilliant for blowing the cobwebs away!
📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants
Ballone’s history is a story of three distinct "lives": building, abandonment, and rebirth.
1. The Dunbar Builders (Late 16th Century)
The Founders: Built around 1590 by the Dunbars of Tarbat.
The Design: It was built in a Z-plan layout—a central
rectangular block with towers on diagonally opposite corners. This allowed the
defenders to fire along the walls in every direction, leaving no "blind
spots" for attackers.
2. The Mackenzie Powerhouse (17th Century)
New Owners: Around 1623, the castle was acquired by the Mackenzies of Tarbat.
The High Point: It became the seat of Sir George Mackenzie, who later became the Earl of Cromartie. He was one of the most powerful and controversial political figures in 17th-century Scotland (more on him below!).
The Decline: By the early 1700s, the Mackenzies moved to
the more modern Tarbat House, and Ballone was left to the wind and rain.
3. The Great Resurrection (1990s - Present)
From Ruin to Roof: For over 200 years, it was a roofless,
crumbling shell. In the 1990s, it was purchased by the Burke family, who
undertook a massive, award-winning restoration. Today, it is once again a
habitable, magnificent family home.
👑 Significance in History and Politics
Ballone wasn't just a home; it was a fortress of political influence during some of Scotland's most turbulent years.
Sir George Mackenzie’s Influence: As the Earl of Cromartie, Mackenzie was a key player in the Union of the Parliaments (1707). He was a master of "playing both sides" in the struggle between the Scottish Covenanters and the Royalists. His presence at Ballone made it a hub for Northern political strategy.
The Jacobite Connection: The Mackenzies of Cromartie were eventually caught up in the Jacobite Risings. While the castle was already in decline by 1745, the family’s support for the "Young Pretender" led to the forfeiture of their titles and lands, marking the end of the old Highland power structures that Ballone represented.
Architecture as a Weapon: The Z-plan design of Ballone is a physical reminder of how dangerous the Scottish North was in the 1590s. It represents a period where the line between a "gentleman’s house" and a "military bunker" was almost non-existent.
⚓ Johnny’s Travel Tip:
While you're at the castle, keep an eye on the water! This stretch of the Moray Firth is famous for its bottlenose dolphins. Also, don’t miss the Tarbat Discovery Centre in Portmahomack—it’s built inside an old church and has some of the best Pictish carvings in Scotland.
What do you think of these "restored" castles? Do you prefer seeing them in their ruined, romantic state, or do you love seeing them brought back to life like Ballone? Let me know in the comments! 👇🚐💨
#CastlesOfScotland #BalloneCastle #EasterRoss
#Portmahomack #ScottishHistory #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr
#ZPlanCastle
For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:
https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Stuart
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