Who hasn’t wanted, at least once, to stay in a castle? Particularly a Scottish Baronial castle bristling with turrets and towers, castellations and crenelations. The promise of fragrant peat fires and sweeping staircases designed for grand entrances. Castles also tend to come with pleasing views and extensive gardens (and in Scotland, often some craggy peaks or moor besides), with outdoor pursuits from fishing to stalking or just a good walk.
But forget Monarch of the Glen-style draughts and dodgy plumbing: instead think spas, champagne afternoon teas, cracking cocktails, first-class chefs – and good central heating. Whether by the sea, a loch, a mountain or all three, there will be few rooms that don’t promise a view. And of course, there’s always the possibility of pipes. These are the best castle hotels in Scotland.
How we review
All our reviewers are either resident destination experts or travel writers that specialise in hotels. Often they will have stayed at a hotel many times and so can see how it has changed for better or worse over the years. They know what makes a great hotel in that particular destination and will compare it contextually against local competition. When our reviewers first visit a hotel, they stay for at least one night, eat one meal in addition to breakfast and will experience all of the facilities on offer. Whichever category of room they stay in, they will see the entry-level rooms in order to assess them.
After their stay, our reviewers then give the hotel six scores out of 10, rating its location, style and character, service and facilities, rooms, food and drink, and value for money. The average of these scores then determines the overall score. Our experts then select reviews for curated lists like this – the best hotels in a particular destination for families, for instance – together with the Telegraph Hotels team.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Highlands
8/10
Queen Victoria said she ‘never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot’ than Inverlochy Castle in 1873, and it remains as impressive as ever. There are no bows to passing fashions here. Moving with the times means waterfall showers, Bang & Olufsen stereos and televisions, while the unashamedly country house style – all swags, gilt, silk and brocade, sparkling crystal, polished wood and an all-pervading sense of time suspended – remains. Lying at the foot of Ben Nevis, girdled by a ring of highland peaks, this is a place of quiet beauty, with no indication that the hustling, bustling tourist town of Fort William is only a mile or two up the road. With Michel Roux Jr in charge of the kitchen the food is as good as the peerless service.
Stonefield Castle
Loch Fyne
8/10
Stonefield Castle is a proper high-Victorian Baronial folly, as castellated, crenellated and pepper-potted as any romantic could wish for. Rescued from years of neglect, the drawing room, library and bar have had a gentle refresh, but retain their Victorian character with crackling log fires, stags’ heads, coffered ceilings and candlelight. It has an enviable location on the Kintyre peninsula near the fishing town of Tarbert, with heavenly views over Loch Fyne to the hills beyond. Come in the spring, when the notable collection of rhododendrons and azaleas are at their staggeringly lovely best. Explore the private island that forms part of the grounds – it’s a great place for wildlife spotting: seals, otters and, if you’re lucky, maybe even a humpback whale.
Dalhousie Castle Hotel
Bonnyrigg
8/10
This is the real McCoy, Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle: it was a stronghold of the chieftans of Clan Ramsay; it withstood a siege by Henry IV in 1400; and it was captured by Cromwell two centuries later. In between Mary, Queen of Scots, spent the night while touring her realm. The moat has been filled in and the drawbridge has gone, but an imposing entrance hall with a vaulted faux-Gothic ceiling and mini-Imperial staircase creates a grand first impression. Old storage vaults have been converted into a small spa with a laconium and hydro pool and guests can fly a Russian Steppe Eagle or a Turkmanian Eagle Owl from a falconry in the grounds. It’s on a small estate of woodland and lawns on the banks of the South Esk River with views of the Border hills, 10 miles from Edinburgh.
Crossbasket Castle & Trocadero’s
Larnarkshire
8/10
This restored 17th-century castle makes for a luxurious escape on the banks of the River Calder, with a range of rooms offering a grown-up fairy tale close to Glasgow. Contrast this with the new show-stopping Trocadero’s destination restaurant and art deco-style hotel. Trocadero’s and Crossbasket are the passion project of owners Steve and Alison Timoney, who invite guests to dip between two contrasting luxury experiences. At Crossbasket Castle indulge in traditional, opulent tastes, meanwhile, the £20 million creation of “Trocadero’s” transports guests to a bygone age of art deco interiors. Michel Roux Jr oversees the menu across both, with Executive Chef, Kevin Barron, at the helm. Most produce is sought from a 50-mile radius, and many fresh ingredients come from the owners’ Perthshire estate.
Glenapp Castle
Ballantrae
8/10
Glenapp is one of the best castle hotels in Scotland; a fine example of 19th-century Scottish Baronial grandeur, set in extensive gardens and woodlands. The castle has an intimate feel, rather like staying at a rich relative’s country pile. With not a whiff of hotel, the entrance hall features a grand wooden carved staircase leading to the first floor where the dual aspect drawing room is comfortable and commodious, with tall ceilings and picture windows, traditional sofas and statement period antiques and paintings. There are complimentary activities, such as cycling, croquet or tennis; or onsite paid activities such as falconry displays and archery. In all, there are over 70 on offer. Umbrellas, waxed jackets and wellies are to hand.
Contributions by Gavin Bell, Olivia Greenway, Janice Hopper