The Traitors TV show may be shining the spotlight on castle high jinks but you can’t beat the fairy-tale fabulousness of experiencing luxury living in a historical setting for yourself. Janice Hopper reveals Scotland’s best kept secrets
The much-loved television phenomenon Traitors is filmed in Ardross Castle in the Highlands, and the long-awaited new series will launch on New Year's Day. While the ultimate Traitors message is trust no-one and never believe what you hear, these whispers offer a grand opportunity to explore Scotland’s renowned castle accommodation . . . and live like a traitor (or a faithful) for the night.
Tulloch Castle, Dingwall, Ross-shire
Set in true Traitors territory, only 14 miles from the battleground of the faithfuls and traitors at Ardross, is the atmospheric Tulloch Castle hotel. Wander through the 250-year-old wood-panelled Great Hall before enjoying the restful vibes across Tulloch’s 22 individual en-suite bedrooms. Grab a drink in the eerily-entitled Green Lady Bar by the log fire, before dinner is served in Turrets Restaurant. Doubles from £116, includes breakfast.
bespokehotels.com/tullochcastlehotel
Dalhousie Castle, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian
For those who fancy a romantic candlelit meal in a dungeon or would enjoy reaching their room via a grand staircase and secret passageways, Dalhousie Castle offers 29 bedrooms, a wood-panelled library and a secret bar tucked behind a moving bookcase. The two AA Rosette adult-only dungeon restaurant displays a barrel-vaulted ceiling and glinting suits of armour. For something lighter and more family-friendly dine in The Orangery. The hotel spa is another luxurious addition, or try your hand at falconry, getting up close to owls, eagles, falcons and hawks.
Doubles from £164, includes breakfast. dalhousiecastle.co.uk
Leslie Castle, Insch, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is known as Scotland’s ‘Castle Country’ and Leslie Castle is one of its famed fortified houses, similar to Crathes, Craigievar and Fraser. For those seeking a quirky guest house option, with evening meals available to residents in the Baronial Hall, take a peek at Leslie Castle. Guests are hosted by the Baron of Leslie and his family, and offered a complimentary guided tour of the castle alongside information about its history and restoration. With only five rooms available, you can look forward to a cosy and intimate experience.
Doubles from £249, includes breakfast. leslie-castle.com
Crossbasket Castle, High Blantyre, Lanarkshire
On the banks of the River Calder sits this lovingly restored Seventeenth-Century castle. With the bridal Lindsay Tower suite in the turret, 14 acres of grounds and a Michel Roux Jr restaurant, this five-star hotel offers nine ornate bedrooms within the castle itself.
New for 2025 is the castle’s Art Deco style cocktail bar and restaurant, with live music and jazz club vibes, “where champagne flows and anything goes”.
Doubles from £240, includes breakfast. crossbasketcastle.com
Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae, Ayrshire
Glenapp is a distinctive sandstone castle, built in 1870 in the Scottish baronial style, combining a mix of Gothic and Renaissance design. Today it’s a fairytale five-star destination hotel where guests meander among 110 acres of gardens and grounds. Expect turrets, towers and 17 guest suites, which are sumptuously decorated in rich furniture and furnishings.
Garden View Suites from £395 B&B. glenappcastle.com
Inverlochy Castle, Torlundy, Fort William
In the Victorian Inverlochy Castle choose between a mix of castle rooms and suites, Walled Garden accommodation or the Gate House. Unexpected highlights include the hotel’s own loch set in the 500-acre estate, and, indoors, discover bespoke Penhaligon’s Quercus toiletries. Dine at the Michel Roux Jr Seasgair restaurant or the more informal castle lounge, before chilling out in the billiards room or heading to Factors Inn Country Pub for a nightcap.
Doubles from £525, DBB. inverlochycastlehotel.com
Glengorm Castle, Tobermory, Mull
If you’re seeking an island escape then Glengorm Castle is a self-catering option four miles north of the colourful Mull town of Tobermory. Two apartments within the castle are available to book on a nightly basis. The West Wing (sleeps six) has an Aga, sun room, private deck and vistas over to the Outer Hebrides. The Tower Rooms offer two bedrooms but the highlight is a private sitting room with 360 degree views. Alternatively, week-long bookings are welcome in the ground floor Terrace Flat.
Self-catering accommodation from £350 per night, or £850 per week. glengormcastle.co.uk
Thirlestane Castle, Lauder, Borders
Thirlestane Castle is a charitable trust, home to the Maitland family and it opens for tours in April 2025. For those who simply can’t wait, private guided tours can be organised throughout the year, highlighting a one-thousand-strong toy collection, an extensive family portrait collection and intricate Seventeenth-Century Dunsterfield plasterwork.
Immerse yourself in 400 years of history by booking one of five one-three bedroom richly decorated suites, complete with well-furnished kitchens, and peppered with antiques, artwork and artefacts from the castle’s collections.
Self-catering suites from £220 per night. thirlestanecastle.co.uk
Barcaldine Castle, Oban, Argyll
Built in 1609 by ‘Black’ Duncan Campbell, today Barcaldine is a luxury B&B guest house. Set on the banks of Loch Creran, it offers six unique bedrooms and promises a Great Hall and Lairds Parlour, complete with open fireplaces, two secret staircases, a foreboding bottle dungeon, turrets and the original metal yett. Barcaldine is available for exclusive use over winter and is taking guest house bookings from late March 2025.
Doubles from £275, includes breakfast. barcaldinecastle.co.uk
Fonab Castle, Pitlochry, Perthshire
This 19th-Century Perthshire gem has, over time, been a family home, WW1 auxiliary hospital and even part of a power company, transforming into a luxury hotel in 2013.
A key attraction is Sandeman’s three AA rosette restaurant where diners choose between a five or seven-course classic, pescatarian, vegan or vegetarian tasting menu. The spa – pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna, outdoor hot tub and resistance pool – is tempting if you can pull yourself away from the views over Loch Faskally.
Doubles from £221, includes breakfast. fonabcastlehotel.com
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article