Venues

The special places of Balnagown.

Balnagown has so many special places to discover – from a historic estate walled garden to a private sports hall, an observation tower, sheltered lochs, and loch-side dining spots. Find your favourite places to share with friends and loved ones, or enjoy them all by yourself.

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18th Century Walled Garden

Soak in the atmosphere of each passing season in the sanctuary of our magnificent Grade B listed Walled Garden. Spread out a picnic blanket under the shade of the apple trees, relax with a book by our magnificent weeping oak tree, or play games on the lawn. Pick apples from the orchard for a homemade crumble or savour a cup of tea and some board games in the ‘Potting Shed.’ The Walled Garden also produces apples, plums, and fresh herbs for Balnagown Castle and Estate. Guests are encouraged to help themselves.

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Castle Gardens

While the castle is a private home and not open to the public, the castle gardens are open to guests when the family is not in residence. You’re welcome to stroll through the formal Italian gardens, walk along the river take in the Reflection Pond, and discover the delights of the lush hidden grotto. Guests will be briefed by Estate Guardians on arrival.

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Balnagown Castle

Balnagown Castle is the ancestral seat of the Clan Ross. Built on a high bank above a curve of the Balnagown River, there has been a property of high status on this site since at least 1368, but it is unlikely to have been anything we would recognise as a castle. The main part of the castle was built in the 15th century, with further significant additions and changes being made in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries to create the castle as it stands today. The castle is now a much-loved family home with a fascinating history and heritage.

Family time exploring the Castle grounds
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Loch Auchoyle

Water Sports

Feel the tingle on your skin as you jump off the jetty and set off for an invigorating wild swim. Have fun splashing around with family and friends on the estate paddleboards. Loch Auchoyle is our dedicated wild swimming and water sports loch. Here you’ll also find ‘The Holt’, our new purpose-built pergola that offers a sheltered place to take it easy, share a picnic with friends or get lost in a good book. Light up the fire pit on those blissful summer evenings by the loch and relax with nothing more than a canopy of stars overhead.

At Balnagown, all our activities are included in your stay so you can feel free to help yourself to a paddleboard or rowing boat and set off. We supply everything you need; you supply the fun! 

Loch Larrack

Loch-Side Dining

Take the rowing boat out on the loch and savour the gentle lap of the water against the boat, or join the children for a paddle in the shallows. Soak in the summer sun on the jetty, before getting the barbecue going with family and friends in our bespoke lochside barbecue hut with built-in barbecue. Enjoy an al fresco feast on a picnic table overlooking the loch. In the evening, settle in around our generous fire pits to enjoy an evening of toasted marshmallows and warm conversation by the lochside.

Laughter and good conversation, the crackle of firewood and the sizzle of the barbecue: could there be a more perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon or languorous evening than by the loch?

You’re cordially invited to enjoy our dedicated barbecue hut on Loch Larrack. There are picnic tables and family-sized firepits to keep you toasty well into the small hours, whether you’re deep in garrulous conversation or you’re putting the world to rights.

Barbecue by the Lochan
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Balnagown River

There’s lots to enjoy along the banks of the Balnagown river, from casting a line, to catching brown trout or salmon, to paddling in the rock pools. Enjoy a picnic at the summer house overlooking the water as it cascades over the weir. It is a lovely place to be, surrounded by the sounds of rushing water and birdsong.

The river is around 11 miles long and starts out as the Strathrory river, before flowing on as the Balnagown through the estate and out to the Cromarty Firth, where the river meets the sea near the Nigg Bay Nature Reserve.

There are delightful walks along the river, and around the old village of Milton near the coast. You will see traces of the past along the way: the three weirs on the estate section of the Balnagown were part of an old hydro system, the ruins of which can still be seen.

Loch Tullich

Loch Tullich is dedicated to wildlife and is a favourite place for our local waterfowl and wading birds. Our pair of resident swans glide gracefully by, and in summer you’ll see pretty flashes of dark red as little grebes (or dabchicks) dart by. If you’d like to feed the birds, please contact the Estate Guardians – they can provide you with safe feed for the birdlife. Both Loch Tullich and Loch Larrack are stocked annually with rainbow trout and if you’d like to cast a line, you’ll find fishing equipment stored in the stables, located in the main square. Our team are also happy to offer some advice if you’re a beginner.

The loch road stops just short of the loch, and we ask that all cars park here so that the wildlife is disturbed as little as possible. Bring your binoculars and camera to see what wildlife you can discover down by the loch, or venture further and follow the trail that loops round the top of Loch Tullich before heading slightly uphill to skirt all three lochs and return to the shore of Loch Larrack.

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Wildlife Hide

Our on-site team know a thing or two about the estate wildlife and can help you to spot the local stars of the natural world. Our wildlife hides are open to all guests and offer the best chance of seeing some of our amazing wildlife up close. Try our permanent and newly installed hide between Swiss Cottage and Hill House.

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Observation Tower

Climb high for fabulous views across the Cromarty Firth, over to Nigg and as far as the Black Isle. You’ll receive an extra key at check in that gives you exclusive access to our Observation Tower and a whole new way to see the estate. You’ll find lots of information on the estate birdlife as well as a powerful telescope ready for your use.

Weddings at Balnagown

An enchanting way to begin married life.

Balnagown is delighted to offer a venue for small weddings (between 20 or 30 guests, including the wedding party). Over the years we have been pleased to host small ceremonies at the many magical locations around the estate. They have, however, been limited to those who have a connection with the estate; either growing up on or working at Balnagown, and, of course, for members of the Ross Clan. 

We are delighted that the word, however, has spread, and the number of enquiries about Balnagown as a wedding venue has increased, as has the popularity of Easter Ross. We are now happy to accept wedding requests for couples who love Balnagown, and this very special part of Scotland. Please note that, as this is a working highland estate, all weddings are held at the estate’s discretion.

That being said, while we are a working estate and not a specialist wedding venue, the Estate Office team will be more than happy to work with you, or your wedding planner to ensure you can create the special day you’re dreaming of. We will be delighted to provide a list of local service-providers, such as caterers, events companies, florists, and musicians to make your celebration something very special. Please contact the Estate Office to discuss your wedding request.

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