The historic Balnagowan Homestead in Colac was built in 1891, by Mr Fraser Ross, inspired by the Scottish castle from which it gets its name. The name Balnagowan is derived from the Gaelic “baile” meaning a homestead or a village and “a’ghobhainn” meaning “of the blacksmiths”. The original Balnagowan Castle near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, was home and fortress to centuries of the Clan Ross, although it is not known if Mr Ross was a direct descendent. A grand building with gothic battlements and turrets, Balnagowan Castle has a long and rich history, including family links to Scottish revolutionary William Wallace.
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\nThe imposing Queen Anne style Balnagowan Homestead served as a Gentleman’s country residence, to which Mr Ross brought guests by train from Melbourne for holidays and parties, particularly in the warmer weather. At the time the extent of Mr Ross’s landholding included the area near Colac now known as Ross Point, but the centrepiece was most certainly Balnagowan.
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\nAfter a change of hands it became a private hospital from 1952 to 1964 and afterwards a reception centre until the late 1970s. Local people still recall visiting convalescent relatives or attending wedding receptions at Balnagowan. In desperate need of repair, the estate was eventually bought by Mr Bill McCullagh who operated it as a function centre and also offered bed and breakfast accommodation.
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\nIn 2012, Leigh and Jan Rich purchased the much loved Balnagowan Homestead to restore it to its former beauty and have the sound of social activity reverberating in its lofty rooms once again, as thecommunity centre and centrepiece of the Balnagowan Estate Retirement Village.