Balfour Castle

Completed in 1848 in the turreted Scottish Baronial style, Balfour Castle dominates the southern end of the island. Guided tours (2.15pm Sunday from May to September) must be booked in advance; the price includes the ferry, admission to the castle and afternoon tea. It's also available as a private hotel that can be hired for shooting parties.

The castle was built by the Balfours, who made their fortune in the British Raj in India, and was owned by the Polish Zawadski family from 1961 till 2009. Examples of the Balfours’ civic projects include the neat line of cottages in the main village, the ornate Gatehouse (which now serves as the village pub), a sea-flushed public toilet near the jetty and the Gasometer, a castle-like folly which once provided the island with electricity. South of the ferry pier is the interesting Dishan Tower (known locally as 'the douche') housing a saltwater shower topped by a doocot (dove-cote).