Located in the heart of Speyside, Ballindalloch Castle is one of the few private castles in Scotland that has been lived in continuously by the family which founded it, the Macpherson-Grants. Originally a fortified tower house that was erected circa 1546, Ballindalloch underwent a significant period of renovation and extension during the Victorian era.

Ballindalloch is first and foremost a beloved family residence, there are plenty of personal heirlooms and memorabilia belonging to the current occupants scattered amongst the general finery. Highlights include a fine collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings, one of the finest country house libraries in all of Scotland, the grand dining room with its magnificent fireplace, the vaulted hall and the delightful nursery with its antique toys.

 The Rivers Spey and Avon run through the estate, the cattle that graze here belong to the oldest Aberdeen Angus herd in the world.

 The Gardens are an absolute treat and ablaze of colour, considering the climate, they have certainly been well planned to make the most of the soil and the landscape. The formal grounds are beautiful. They were actually laid down in the second half of the 19th Century, after the restorations to the Castle around 1850. To the north and east the grounds are bordered by the River Spey and the rising slopes of Cairn Guish. To the west lies the River Avon, its source on the summit of Ben Macdhui, with tributaries from the Cairngorms and Beinn Mheadhoin, and at 38 miles in length, the longest tributary of the River Spey. To the south stands the Bridge of Avon, dating from 1754, once the entrance to the Castle and once a military road, built following the end of the Jacobite Rebellion in 1745. A remarkable structure, it is carved into the rocky gorge the lofty arch spanning two ornamental turrets. Although long disused, over the keystone is the Macpherson-Grant coat of arms and the family motto: ‘Touch not the cat bot a glove’.

To enter gardens you pass the 18th Century dovecote and find the three distinct gardens waiting to be explored. Beyond the large lawn extending from the front of the Castle is the Rockery, climbing up from the lower slopes of the valley of the River Avon, and gives some lovely views of the Castle. Adjacent to, and enclosed on three sides by the Castle, is the Courtyard Garden, classically formal and hauntingly romantic. North of the Castle a laburnum arch and tree-lined avenue leads to the magnificent Walled Garden, redesigned in 1996 to celebrate the Castle’s 450th anniversary, and a profusion of colour.

Nothing is better after the tour of the castle and grounds than to relax in the tearooms with a lovely pot of tea and a scone.