Rockfield and Ballone Castle

Ballone Castle

On the cliffs just north of Rockfield is Ballone Castle. It was built in the 16th century by the Dunbars of Tarbet. It lay in ruins for some 300 years but is now restored. Privately owned, it is not open to the public.

This castle, built on the Z-plan in the late 16th century, was held by the Dunbars who owned the property from 1507 to the beginning of the 17th century. In 1623 it was acquired by the MacKenzies who occupied it until at least 1693. It was abandoned by the MacKenzies who moved on to Tarbat House at Milton. By the mid 18th century the castle was in ruins. At the north side there are the ruins of various outbuildings, including a bake-house.

This castle is first referred to in the early 1600s as "the fortalicium" of Easter Tarbat. Ballone was an alternative name for this property. In 1703 George MacKenzie (Earl of Cromartie) renamed it "Castlehaven". It was known by this name throughout the 18th century, but by the late 19th century the locally accepted name was Ballone Castle.