Gilbert Balfour

It is notable for an unusually large spiral staircase, "second only to Fyvie Castle, while its triple tiers of gunloops are without parallel in Scotland, if not Europe".

[6] On 1 October 1565 Mary, Queen of Scots, appointed him her Master of Household, a leading servant responsible for wages and the provision of food.

There was a procession bringing the food into the Great Hall, which he joined as a Master of Household walking with the Laird of Findlater and Francisco de Busso.

[8] During the entertainment, written by George Buchanan, Latin verses were sung by nymphs and satyrs in honour of the food and hosts, and characters represented the Orkney Islands.

[11] Before he could ever use the castle, Balfour was executed in Stockholm for participating in the Mornay Plot against King John III of Sweden.