Balvaird Castle

Balvaird Castle was built around the year 1500 for Sir Andrew Murray, a younger son of the family of Murray of Tullibardine. He acquired the lands of Balvaird in Perthshire through marriage to the heiress Margaret Barclay, a member of a wealthy family. It is likely that Balvaird Castle was built on the site of an earlier Barclay family castle. Substantial remnants of earthwork fortifications around the Castle may survive from earlier defences.

Over the years the castle was extended and altered. A gatehouse was built in 1567. An outer courtyard was attached to the main gate which possibly contained stabling as well as adding an extra layer of defence to the castle. Another courtyard to the south was a garden, while a much larger walled area to the north-east was an orchard or 'pleasance.'

The family continued to live at Balvaird until they inherited the Earldom of Mansfield and in 1658 moved to the rather more comfortable Scone Palace, near Perth. Thereafter the Castle continued to be inhabited, though not by the family itself. In its later days, it probably accommodated farm workers.

~ Wiki

Some more shots from today's visit.

Thanks so much for all our lovely and encouraging comments for my last blip. I'm really looking forward to the trip and having the opportunity to visit this wonderful country. I'll probably bore you all to tears in good time beforehand!

For now though, just a wee update. Step one was completed when my visa application was granted on Tuesday, a mere 10 hours after I applied. How's that for service! I also decided to extend my holiday request from three to four weeks, which my boss has endorsed. Of course, it's still to be passed by the higher ups but it shouldn't be a problem. Happy Days!