Scotland boasts fantasy-like scenery with dramatic landscapes such as heather-covered mountains, white sandy beaches edged by turquoise waters and countless castles. While that’s more than enough to call many travelers to visit, some of those castles are even available for booking on Airbnb. Staying in one is the ultimate ingredient when it comes to creating a trip you’ll never forget.
Dollareg Castle The Tower - Dollar
Feel like royalty while staying in the Tower apartment at historic Dollarbeg Castle nestled in the Clackmannanshire countryside. Guests have referred to it as Disneyland and a “fairytale come true.” It offers three bedrooms for up to six guests, all with luxurious furnishings, and you’ll get a bottle of Champagne and a welcome basket upon arrival. Although you’ll have modern amenities like a cinema room, Wi-Fi and a 75″ HDTV with Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix, the space has retained its historic character, complete with turreted corners. Enjoy breathtaking views from every window and your own private rooftop terrace too.
Castle Loft Apartment on Seaside Estate - Portpatrick
This self-contained apartment sits inside an Edwardian historic castle. Dunskey has been impeccably maintained and comes complete with fine period furnishings and baronial features, sleeping up to eight guests in four bedrooms. It has a wealth of gorgeous original details like the beautiful art deco spiral staircase, classic windowpanes and blonde wood floor while adding modern features like a Smart TV, fast Wi-Fi and biomass heating. Guests enjoy 2,000 acres of glen walks, beaches where dolphins and seals are often spotted, forests, lochs, waterfalls and gardens, along with a huge lawn for games and a courtyard for grilling.
MacDuff Tower - Angus Council
Part of the 7,000-acre Kinnaird Estate, in the owners’ family since 1400, MacDuff Tower is a luxurious apartment on the second floor with two bedrooms, one of which has a four-poster bed, sleeping up to four guests. You’ll have a living room with an open fire, TV and DVD player, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. If you need more space, this rental can be combined with another apartment to accommodate as many as 10. The grounds are filled with winding pathways with scenic views leading to a river and the estate lake. Watch for wildlife like owls, ospreys, and red squirrels, enjoy a game of tennis on a private court, and cookouts on the BBQ too.
Cats Castle - Cardross
Cats Castle was built in 1888, set across two acres bringing picturesque views down the Firth of Clyde near the coast. It has five bedrooms, including a turret bedroom on the top floor, accommodating up to 12 guests, making it ideal for a family getaway, reunion or celebratory occasion. There are three reception rooms, all of which boast working fireplaces, a family kitchen, pantry, formal dining room, living room and a laundry room. The property has a beautiful lawn that surrounds most of it too, perfect for the kids to play.
Balintore Castle Kitchen Wing - Angus
Welcoming guests for 160 years, Balintore Castle is nestled in a remote Angus Glen. The kitchen wing accommodation has kept the Victorian character of the building while restored to provide modern amenities with three bedrooms sleeping up to six. Guests enjoy direct access to hill walking, mountain biking, bird-watching and shooting, with professional catering available for both breakfast and evening meals. As the castle is in the process of being fully restored, there isn’t access to other areas. You will, however, be helping to contribute to its magnificent restoration.
Spedlins Castle - Dumfries
Located next to the River Annan, popular for salmon fishing and swimming in the summer, Spedlins Castle is available for a self-catering stay, accommodating up to 14. You’ll have the castle and the 4-acre grounds all to yourself, complete with a lake, a medieval-style topiary garden, and a terrace ideal for sipping drinks on a warm evening. Within the 9-foot-thick stone walls that have stood the test of time since 1450, there are six bedrooms with luxurious features like a four-poster bed or French antique bed. The Great Hall is a highlight with its huge Renaissance fireplace, antique furnishings, and a collection of eclectic art. A basement playroom with Sky TV and a large kitchen are included too.
Ravensby Hall - Barry
A mix of modern and historic, 1870 Ravensby Hall sleeps up to 16 guests in seven bedrooms. The stunning Victorian Mansion House sits on four acres of private gardens and includes a sauna, steam room, outdoor hot tub, outdoor bar, and BBQ. It overlooks 20 acres of rolling hills and abundant wildlife while being just a 5-minute drive from the beach and the championship course at Carnoustie Golf Links. You’ll enjoy many desirable features inside too, like a game room, cinema room, a well-equipped kitchen, and even a piano.
Dairsie Castle - Dairsie
Dairsie Castle has roots that date back to the 12th century as the site of “secret Scottish parliaments, military sieges, and a safe haven for escapee monarchs (James VI and I in 1583,” as the host notes. In the 19th century, it was left to ruin but in 1992 the current owner beautifully restored its original medieval character while adding all the modern comforts. It’s located just a 15-minute drive from St. Andrews and sleeps 14 in six bedrooms with the Great Hall serving as the hub of life in the castle. It includes a dining table with seating for 12, large sofas, and a fireplace. You’ll have a living room with a TV, a well-stocked kitchen, and a laundry room, while the six acres of grounds include a woodland walk leading to River Eden, a walled herb garden, an orchard, and a vast open grassy area.
Kinnettles Mansion - St. Andrews
Ideal for a large group with eight extra-spacious, en-suite bedrooms accommodating up to 16, the magnificent Kinnettles Mansion is just a 5-minute drive from St. Andrews. Filled with historic character and period details, it’s a perfect base for golfers checking off a bucket-list experience at the famous Old Course or any of the other St. Andrews courses. After a day of legendary play, you’ll be able to come back and relax in the hot tub or among the spectacular gardens. The castle-like mansion is also ideal for entertaining, suitable for gatherings of up to 25.
Historic Craster Tower - Alnwick
This four-bedroom apartment that sleeps up to eight occupies the entire top floor of historic Craster Tower which has been owned by the same family for 850 years. A beautifully preserved country house, it dates from the 15th-century and was built around a 14th-century Pele Tower. Enjoy spectacular views from nearly every vantage point and some of the best coastal and hill walks in Scotland nearby. It includes extra-spacious rooms, many of which have retained original features like the ornate stone fireplaces and a Venetian chandelier in the drawing room. Guests also enjoy access to a large garden area with a patio, garden furniture, barbecue and large trampoline as well as a tennis court.
Ancient Castle Above the River Tweed - Scottish Borders
Ideal for a romantic retreat, at ancient Neidpath Castle you can sleep where Mary Queen of Scots herself stayed in the summer of 1563 with her husband Lord Darnley. You’ll have the whole castle to explore to yourself and a comfortable, luxurious room to spend the night, complete with an antique four-poster bed, an open fire and a deep roll top bath. An elegant table will be set for breakfast and you’ll have a small kitchenette with refrigerator, kettle and provisions to put together your own continental morning meal. Dinner can be served by prior arrangement, and you’ll find a number of restaurants and an award-winning chocolatier in the nearby town of Peebles, just 10 minutes away.
The Tower, Thornton Castle - Inverness
This two-bedroom Airbnb that sleeps up to four is located in the 16th-century Scottish tower wing of this family castle residence. The castle itself dates back to the 13th-century and has retained many of its original features. In the main bedroom, located on the second floor, guests enjoy a peaceful night’s rest in a super-king bed and views that overlook the parkland. There are coffee and tea making facilities, a refrigerator and a billiard room with a full-size billiard/snooker table along with a selection of board games. A full breakfast is included, served in the dining room.
Romantic 16th Century Scottish Castle in The Glen - Lochgilphead
Looking like something out of a storybook, this 16th-century Scottish castle is surrounded by the scenic, ancient landscape of Kilmartin Glen, which has an 8,000-year history. Enjoy an unforgettable stay and exploring everything from ancient rock carvings and forts to burial tombs and standing stones as the area hosts one of the richest concentrations of archaeological sites in Scotland. Fully restored, the castle will be open to guests through October 2020 as a luxury bed and breakfast, with the five en-suite bedrooms rented out individually. Renting the entire place exclusively is possible too. It offers a mix of rustic with historic features along with modern living comforts like wood-burning stoves, extravagant walk-in showers, roll-top baths and luxurious bedding.
Duchray Castle - Stirlingshire
Tucked within the heart of Queen Elizabeth Forest, Duchray Castle is a 500-year-old tower house providing cozy accommodation for up to eight in four bedrooms, complete with a renewable biomass heating system. It sits on 80 acres of secluded parkland while serving as an ideal base for enjoying Loch Lomond, Stirling and The Trossachs, a designated National Scenic Area with magnificent lochs, forests, hills and glens. Wildlife watching is stellar, with golden eagles, peregrine falcons, red deer, foxes, wild cat and more.
