If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, splurging a little by spending a night or two in one of the country’s magical castles is sure to be a highlight in an already unforgettable vacation – and, you might be surprised that many not only allow you to enjoy spectacular surroundings but relatively affordable prices too.
Glengorm Castle, Isle of Mull
Situated on the northern tip of the Isle of Mull, Glengorm provides an ideal base for scenic walks, along with fantastic views of Ardnamurchan and the Sound of Mull. When the weather is chilly, you can always cozy up to a roaring fire in the main hall, featuring overstuffed sofas along with the family’s 20th-century art collection, or even enjoy complimentary whiskey in the library, stocked with a massive amount of reading material and an open fire. The Brontë-esque structure of turrets and towers is made up of self-catering apartments, set across a 5,000-acre estate with highland cattle and blackface sheep, surrounded by moorland, clifftops and beaches that are home to eagles, otters and orchids.
Tulloch Castle Hotel, Dingwall
No one is entirely sure how far this castle dates back, but it’s believed to be more than 900 years old, when the Bains, and later Clan Davidson laid claim to its lands. Nestled on a forested hillside, it still retains many period features, like the restored original fireplaces, fine ornate ceilings and the 250-year-old paneled Great Hall. With such a long and colorful history, it’s filled with lots of character and its very own resident friendly ghost known as the Green Lady – she’s been spotted so frequently, the castle bar is named the Green Lady Bar, and a portrait of a woman believed to be the Green Lady, Elizabeth Davidson, hangs in the Great Hall. You can also enjoy an outstanding dining experience fit for royalty at Turrets restaurant, where local Highlands’ produce is bought and prepared by top chefs. Traditional rooms overlooking Cromarty Firth and the Black Isle, are individually decorated with antique furnishings and tartan fabrics, while some include four-poster beds.
Blair Castle, Perthshire
The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, and home to Europe’s last remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders, Blair Castle looks like something you might see in a Disney flick. Unique among Scottish castles, its story is fascinating, including everything from a visit by Mary Queen of Scots to the Civil War and a stay by Bonnie Prince Charles. There are more than 30 rooms on display, filled with Scottish cultural history, period furnishings, landscape paintings and family portraits. There are also a handful of self-catering accommodation options as well as contemporary woodland lodges featuring outdoor terraces, views of woodland and craggy hills, as well as miles of trails for exploring.
Kincraig Castle, Invergordon
The former family home of the Mackenzie clan, Kincraig began as a late-period sandstone castle before being transformed into a Scottish baronial house in the early 20th century. Today it offers a tranquil and romantic stay in the Inverness area, just a short jaunt from the city but entirely secluded on private grounds. The manor offers beautiful views overlooking the Cromarty Firth and is considered to be a hidden treasure by many. Rooms boast four-poster beds and amazing vistas across the firth, while the in-house candlelit restaurant is renowned as one of the best in the area.
Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae
Built in 1870, Glenapp is one of the country’s younger castles, and one of the most well-preserved, retaining its original Victorian character with period-appropriate antiques in each bedroom as well as displaying original artwork. Hidden across 36 acres of beautiful garden and woodland along the rugged Ayrshire coast, it boasts magnificent views across the Irish Sea to the island of Arran and the enormous granite rock of Ailsa Craig. The sprawling baronial pile of turrets, crow-stepped gables, seven staircases and exquisite bedrooms is actually a family home as well as a hotel.
Dornoch Castle, Sutherland
This 15th-century castle makes a great base for exploring Sutherland in addition to having a very colorful history. It was once the home of Bishop of Caithness and the Earl of Sutherland, and was set afire during a clan feud. It was transformed into a school, jail, courthouse and hunting lodge before finally becoming a hotel a half-century or so ago. Stay in one of the deluxe rooms, The Old Courtroom or The Tower Room and you’ll not only be spending the night in the oldest part of the castle, you’ll enjoy luxuries like a bathroom with a spa bath. The especially sumptuous Old Courtroom also boasts a hand-carved four-posted bed, log fire and soaring ceilings. Enjoy candlelit dinners in the Vault Restaurant, then enjoy a drink in the Dornoch Castle Whisky Bar.
Barcaldine Castle, Oban
This miniature fairytale castle sits on the shores of Loch Creran, offering magnificent views of snow-capped mountains in early spring and spectacular golden colors during the fall. Built in 1609 by “Black” Duncan Campbell, it comes complete with the requisite turrets, a massive stone fireplace, tall ceilings and antlers on the wall. Guests also enjoy fabulous gourmet breakfasts and outstanding but unobtrusive service. The elegant rooms offer a choice of creamy tones or tartan trim, while Breadalbane features a four-poster bed and, Cosy Argyll a stone fireplace.
Dalhousie Castle Hotel, Edinburgh
Steeped in a wealth of history, with the likes of both Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott spending the night here, this magnificent 13th-century fortress is just eight miles from the city center of Edinburgh, set within wooded parkland on the banks of the River Esk. Renowned as Scotland’s “Oldest Inhabited Castle,” it features individually designed bedrooms, many themed around famous historical figures along with Scottish fabrics like tartan, twill and tweed. Enjoy dining in the ancient stone-walled, barrel-vaulted Dungeon Restaurant, take part in falconry at the onsite mews and indulge in treatments at the spa which combines relaxing and therapeutic offerings with invigorating hydro facilities such as a hydro pool, a Roman-style sauna, a Turkish inspired steam bath and a tropical rain and cold fog shower.
Inverlochy Castle, Fort William
There are actually two Inverlochy castles just outside the Highland town of Fort William. One is a picturesque ruin, well-worth visiting, while the other serves as a hotel in a former baronial mansion just two miles away. The latter was built 700 years after the original, but was given an early and passionate endorsement by Queen Victoria, who stayed for a week in 1873, claiming that she’d never seen “a lovelier or more romantic spot”. The hotel contains cozy rooms, all with splendid views of the surrounding mountains and grounds, each with its own distinct traditional design, along with modern, tech essentials. You can also take advantage of the wealth of outdoor recreational activities nearby, including golf at Fort William Golf Course, water sports on Loch Oich and clay pigeon shooting right on castle grounds.
Fernie Castle, Cupar
Set across 17 acres of picturesque woodland with its own lochan, step inside this nearly 500-year-old castle where you’ll be greeted with an open fire and a warm welcome. The Keep Bar, dating back to 1530, and The Wallace Lounge, can be found directly off the reception hall. If you want to go all out, choose the incredible treehouse suite, perched in six giant sycamores with fantastical woodland murals, stained-glass windows, a freestanding tub and a huge elm bed. There are really no “basic rooms,” The “bed chambers” are categorized as monarch, king, queen, squire and lady, all with picture windows and country views, and some with four-poster beds. The fine-dining restaurant boasts a Georgian chandelier and offers lunch and dinner menus, or you can enjoy a more casual atmosphere in the relaxed bistro.
Torrisdale Castle, Kintyre
Situated on the Kintyre peninsula in a spectacular location overlooking the island of Arran, Torrisdale Castle offers a variety of self-catering accommodation options, including “The Servants’ Quarters, located on the ground floor of the castle. As the name suggests, this was used as the kitchens, stores and communal rooms for the house, but it’s probably not what you’d imagine. Today if offers impressive views across the rolling lawn towards the sea, and while technically an “apartment,” it’s complete with a kitchen and dining room, living room, master bedroom, two twin rooms, a shower room, a roll-top bath and even a “secret” room you’ll have to look for. The interior is bright and contemporary with wooden floors, sash windows and shutters. Activity options include wildlife watching, stalking with the gamekeeper, and, if you have a canoe, you can bring it and paddle from the private beach. As Kintyre Way passes through the estate, the castle also makes an ideal base, located about the halfway point, for those who want to complete the 87-mile long walk in individual stretches.
Castle Levan, Inverclyde
Castle Levan is a family-run B&B with immense historical significance in an enviable setting that includes panoramic views over the Firth of Clyde to Dunoon, Loch Long, Holy Loch, Ben Lomond and the Trossach mountain range. A building has been on the site since the 14th-century, though the present structure was substantially enlarged after 1547, and formed part of the Ardgowan Estates. In the 19th-century, a large mansion was constructed close to the ruined castle and given the same name. In the 1980s, the original castle was renovated and transformed into a bed & breakfast. The three-story castle with a garret features a turnpike staircase leading to the Great Hall and a pine ceiling that was reclaimed from a 17th-century thread mill. Bedrooms are on the second floor with the master bedroom featuring a large double bed with a canopy while the romantic former guard room features a large double bed, a key-hole window and vaulted ceilings.
