Balvaird Castle is a late 15th century stone L plan tower house and courtyard fortress, founded by Sir Andrew Murray. Standing on a rocky outcrop, traces of earthen ramparts down the slope may have belonged to an earlier castle of the Barclay family. Of three storeys and an attic, there is an extra storey in the wing and the square stair-tower in the re-entrant angle, is crowned by a two storey caphouse and watch-chamber. In 1567, a two storey gatehouse range with a large room over the entrance passage, was added to the north-east angle of the barmkin. The tower stands to its original height and there is an outer courtyard to the north but most of the outbuildings are totally ruinous. The square enclosure to the south of the barmkin, is usually interpreted as a pleasure garden and adjoining to the east, was a large walled garden or orchard. 6 miles south-west is Burleigh Castle and 9 miles north is Elcho Castle.