Scotland’s Best Castle Accommodation

Once upon a time, Scotland’s castles were designed and built to keep people out, protecting their occupants from raids and generally providing a safe haven for daily life. Today, the same buildings are being transformed into some of the country’s most luxurious hospitality venues, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in history while enjoying a five-star experience in settings previously reserved for nobles and the wealthy elite.

The number of castles lowering their drawbridges to welcome overnight guests has accelerated in recent years, as the owners of large estates seek out sustainable sources of revenue. Castles can be costly to maintain as residences and transitioning into hospitality enables these properties to support themselves, drawing upon their storied pasts to help secure a prosperous future.

The scale and style of Scotland’s castle accommodation is impressively varied, ranging from relatively compact and cosy bed and breakfasts, to huge mansions capable of hosting events for hundreds of guests. Smaller castles are perfect for peaceful or romantic getaways, while larger venues typically focus on weddings, parties or corporate events and are sometimes only available for exclusive use.

Visitors enthralled by tradition will enjoy staying at one of the many castles that continue to satisfy the demand for tartan, tweed and taxidermy, with suits of armour, secret passages and tales of ghostly guests contributing to the unique ambience of these historic houses. For a more contemporary experience, venues such as Carlowrie Castle (page 142) and Kilmartin Castle (page 143) display an alternative approach to castle decor, cleverly combining original features with modern furnishings and artworks to create comfortable and eclectic interiors.

As part of their hospitality offering, castles often have their own restaurants or in-house chefs providing bespoke dining experiences. Some of Scotland’s finest cuisine can be sampled in these elegant settings, with bookings often reserved for overnight guests. Alongside accommodation and gastronomy, certain venues can also arrange activities to enhance your stay, such as clay pigeon shooting, cooking classes, whisky tastings and spa treatments.

It may be easier than ever to step inside some of Scotland’s iconic castles, but an overnight stay remains a luxury experience that will live long in the memory. The scale of these structures and their amazing architecture sets them apart from other hospitality venues, with the finest examples retaining a sense of grandeur that is impossible to replicate in modern buildings. The following pages present a selection of Scotland’s best castle accommodation, where you will be warmly welcomed and made to feel like a king or queen, at least for a night.

Forter Castle

Location: Glenisla, Perthshire
Accommodation type: Exclusive Use

It’s hard to believe that when interior designer Katharine Pooley’s father, Robert, first saw Forter Castle it was a complete ruin with trees growing among the remaining blackened stone walls. The 16th-century castle in Glenisla was restored to its original layout and Katharine oversaw the design of the rooms, which remain authentic while including plenty of 21st-century creature comforts. The Pooley family spends its holidays at Forter but also rents the castle out for special occasions and weddings, which can be held in the basement chapel. Guests can marvel at impeccably crafted details including the ornate ceiling in the Great Hall, which took 30 days to hand paint. Four-poster beds, stone fireplaces and carefully selected family heirlooms lend the seven bedrooms a unique character.

Glenapp Castle

Location: Ayrshire
Accommodation type: Hotel

The spectacular Glenapp Castle looks out across the Ayrshire countryside towards Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran. The 21-room hotel offers a wide range of activities to keep guests entertained, including perfume making, archery, beekeeping, mountain biking and falconry. Those with an appetite for fine dining are well catered for as the Glenapp Castle Restaurant is now joined by The Azalea – a new eatery located in a Victorian glasshouse within the castle’s walled garden. For the ultimate luxury stay, the castle’s entire top floor has been converted into a 4,000 sq ft penthouse called The Endeavour, which includes four bedrooms, a large lounge and dining area, a media room, sauna, library, games room and a private treatment room.

Inverlochy Castle

Location: Fort William
Accommodation type: Hotel

Nestled in the foothills of Ben Nevis near Fort William, Inverlochy Castle is one of Scotland’s most scenic luxury retreats. Queen Victoria once spent a week at Inverlochy sketching and painting, writing in her diaries, “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot”. Visitors today can stay in one of 17 individually decorated bedrooms and suites, which each have views of the estate’s grounds and private loch. The castle’s Seasgair dining experience is inspired by former cook, Mary Shaw, who would create a menu showcasing the best seasonal produce each night for the family and guests to enjoy. The daily changing tasting menu is presented in the dining room or at a shared table in the library.

Carlowrie Castle

Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation type: Exclusive Use

Voted one of the top three venues in Europe with under 200 bedrooms at The International Hotel Awards, Carlowrie Castle near Edinburgh is an exclusive use venue for private celebrations, events and gatherings. Set within 32 acres of manicured grounds, the castle was built in 1852 for wine merchant and Provost of Leith, David Rhind. From 2012 to 2014 the building underwent an extensive refurbishment and was transformed from a family home into a stunning venue that has hosted many glamorous events. The refurbished interiors feature more than 100 pieces of modern art from owner Andrew Marshall’s private collection, creating a style that sets it apart from some of Scotland’s more traditionally decorated castles.

Mingary Castle

Location: Ardnamurchan Estate
Accommodation type: Restaurant with Rooms

Perched on a promontory within the Ardnamurchan Estate, Mingary Castle is a 13th-century stronghold that now welcomes guests across its dramatic drawbridge to enjoy some of the finest hospitality available on Scotland’s west coast. The restaurant with rooms is operated by chef patron Colin Nicholson and his partner Jessica Thompson, who are intent on putting the venue on Scotland’s culinary map. The intimate two AA-rosette restaurant serves a six-course tasting menu showcasing local produce, including fruit, vegetables and herbs sourced from a nearby community garden. Overnight guests are accommodated in four individually designed suites named after Scottish clans that have been linked to the castle over the centuries.

Kilmartin Castle

Location: Kilmartin, Argyll
Accommodation type: Exclusive Use

When travel radio presenter Stef Burgon and her husband, creative director Simon Hunt, bought Kilmartin Castle in 2015 they wanted to create a bed and breakfast experience that really feels like staying in a castle. They came up with the term ‘rustic-lux’ to describe their approach to renovating the medieval castle in Argyll, which combines plenty of original features with carefully curated antiques and contemporary art. Handcrafted copper baths, wood-burning stoves and underfloor heating ensure the five bedrooms are cosy year round. Guests can take a refreshing dip in the recently completed wild swimming pool before sitting down to a freshly prepared breakfast, made with produce from the castle’s organic garden.

Wardhill Castle

Location: Meikle Wartle, Aberdeenshire
Accommodation type: Exclusive Use

Offering total seclusion and privacy in the Aberdeenshire countryside, Wardhill Castle is available for exclusive private hire and sleeps 16 people in eight traditionally decorated bedrooms. The 12th-century castle has been in the Leslie family for over 800 years and is part of one of the oldest privately owned estates in northeast Scotland. A popular venue for weddings, parties and relaxing retreats, the castle is surrounded by 400 acres of parkland and forests, providing opportunities for activities including clay pigeon shooting and mini Highland Games. Guests can also venture beyond the estate’s walls to visit some of Speyside’s famous distilleries or fit in a round at one of the area’s many outstanding golf courses.

Borthwick Castle

Location: Midlothian
Accommodation type: Exclusive Use

Borthwick Castle boasts some exceptional history and has hosted important figures including Mary, Queen of Scots, who fled there from Holyrood in 1567. Following a multimillion-pound refurbishment in 2013, the 600-year-old castle near Edinburgh is now available for exclusive hire. Overnight guests are accommodated in 12 opulent bedchambers, most of which are reached via spiral staircases or secret doors. The bedrooms contain plenty of authentic and carefully replicated medieval features, including stone fireplaces and hand-carved oak beds. Guests can relax in the sumptuous State Room or request a Medieval-style feast catered by award-winning in-house chefs to be served in the spectacular Great Hall.