The small island of Shapinsay has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the most notable evidence being the extant
Broch of Burroughston, located not far from Balfour Castle to the northeast. The
Mor Stein standing stone dating to the Neolithic is found also to the east of Balfour Castle, indicating the length of human activity in the area. On the site of Balfour Castle was originally part of the Estate of Sound, which included a stately home that was destroyed by British Hanoverian soldiers during the
Jacobite rising of 1745. In 1782, the area was sold to Major
Thomas Balfour, who built a new house on the site. By 1846, all of the land on the island around the castle, including the nearby ruins of
Linton Chapel, had been purchased by Balfour's grandson, David Balfour. Balfour then constructed Balfour Castle to the designs of the architect
David Bryce in Bryce's first large commission. It was built as an L shaped house The gardens were also installed by the gardener Craigie Inglis Halkett. As of 2021, the castle was operating as a hotel, but by 2025 had returned to its original use as a private residence. ==See also==