Is the colourful town in the BBC TV kids show Balamory real? And does Archie's pink castle actually exist?

Is the colourful town in the BBC TV kids show Balamory real? And does Archie's pink castle actually exist?

It's time to get nostalgic, as we find out what's the (actual) story in Balamory – does the village exist?


The BBC children's TV series Balamory will be revived in 2026, with some of the original cast returning to play characters including Miss Hoolie, Penny Pocket and PC Plum. The programme is well-known for its colourful houses and catchy theme tune, but where is it filmed?

Where is Balamory filmed?

Balamory is predominantly filmed in Tobermory; the capital of the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. Its rainbow-hued houses made it an eye-catching place to be the setting for Balamory.

Tobermory is famed for its colourful harbour and whale and dolphin tours, as well as its distillery and chocolatier. We also named it as home to one of the best fish and chip shops in the UK.

Walk from Tobermory and Calgary Bay, Isle of Mull, with our guide.

Tobermory
Tobermory has plenty of colourful houses along its port and in the town. Credit: Getty

Is the pink castle in Balamory real?

You might remember that one of Balamory's residents, Archie the inventor, lived in a pink castle – and while it's not quite as bright in reality (thanks to some post-production enhancements), it certainly has a colourful history.

The Balamory castle is actually Fenton Tower, which is a 16th century fortified tower 20 miles east of Edinburgh between Gullane and North Berwick. Records of a fortified tower on the site date back to the 11th century, and there was a medieval burial site (as well as the remains of the foundations of one of Scotland's earliest Christian chapels) to the north of the tower.

Fenton Tower from Balamory
Archie's castle in Balamory is real – although not quite as pink in real life. Credit: Mike Pennington via Geograph

King James VI of Scotland (later King James I) is believed to have taken refuge at Fenton Tower with its then-owners the Carmichaels, after facing unrest around rebel armies.

After been ransacked during the Civil War, Fenton Tower fell into disrepair and was passed along to several families through the years. Restoration began in 1998 and it's now a listed ancient monument and Category A-listed building.

You can now stay in the castle – choose from one of its suites or self-catering cottages, plus you can exclusively hire the whole castle if you'd prefer.

Discover where your other favourite TV and films have been filmed

Top image: first look at new Balamory filming, featuring Julie Wilson Nimmo as Miss Hoolie. Credit: BBC

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