Glorious Scottish castles to rent for holidays
Perhaps it’s the arrival of the cooler autumnal evenings, signalling that St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and even Burns Night are not all that far away, or maybe it’s The Celebrity Traitors effect, but we can’t seem to stop thinking about Scottish castles. And there is no shortage of them to occupy our thoughts with more than 1,500 dotted across the country’s wild and wonderful landscape. Some are privately owned, others are in a sad state of disrepair and some offer lodges or gatehouses to rent. Ardross Castle, of Traitors fame, is available for exclusive hire for weddings and events – and as a TV and film location, of course – but might not be the obvious choice for a holiday.
Luckily, there are plenty of other glorious Scottish castles that you can rent for your next British holiday with family and friends. There would be few finer places to spend Christmas, ring in the New Year or simply escape for a week of fresh air, loch fishing and archery. Most of the Scottish castles you can rent can also provide staff (do you really want to cook for 12 people or clean up after them?), as well as arrange all manner of outdoor activities from clay pigeon shooting and trout fishing to archery and even your very own mini Highland games. From Ayrshireto Inverness, these are the best castles to rent in Scotland.
- Dundas Castle, Queensferry</a>","brand":{"name":""},"id":"624317ceb313fe794cb8c872","index":0,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"offersLength":0,"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
1/10Dundas Castle, Queensferry
Dundas Castle is simply huge – and very popular. It’s a wonderful wedding venue but it can also be hired as a private residence for up to 37 guests in the 17 delightfully decorated bedrooms, full of chintz, swags and toile de jouy. It’s hard not to be impressed by this building, which dates from the 15th century, and a stay of any length there would be very hard to forget indeed.
Sleeps: 37
2/10Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness
Aldourie Castle is, quite simply, glorious. It’s a crenellated beauty, full of sumptuously decorated bedrooms, living rooms and some of the nicest bathrooms you’re likely to languish in. It has been incredibly well preserved and the decoration befits its history and status, plus it’s large enough to sleep 24 guests and there are plentiful activities you can arrange for your stay, from fishing and shooting, to archery and canoeing on Loch Ness itself. There are no monsters here, simply wonderful interiors and grounds.
Sleeps: 24
- Neidpath Castle, Peebleshire</a>","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6242ef45b313fe794cb8c840","index":2,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"offersLength":0,"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
3/10Neidpath Castle, Peebleshire
Having featured Neidpath Castle in House & Garden before, you can rest assured this is one of the finest castles in Scotland. While you cannot rent the entire thing, you can rent an apartment for two people, complete with an airy living room, dining room and bedroom, and access to the rest of the castle and its grounds for wandering about in. The apartment was in fact Mary, Queen of Scots chamber, so it is certainly fit for royalty.
Sleeps: 2
From: £385 per night 
4/10Doune, Stirling
Old Newton is one of the three oldest continually inhabited houses in Scotland, so while it might be on the low key end of the castle scale, it has plenty to say for itself. Inside is cosy as can be, with a charming country kitchen (complete with AGA), plenty of dark wood and beautiful antiques. Doune Castle is just down the road and given the central location, plenty of Scotland's finest attractions are within easy reach.
Sleeps: 12
5/10Wardhill Castle, Aberdeenshire
Since the 12th century, Wardhill Castle has stood proud in the Inverurie countryside and has been in the same family for the past 800 years. It has eight bedrooms, catering to 16 guests, and as many bathrooms as you’d all need, as well as ample living space and extensive grounds. The kitchen has two Agas, though staff can be arranged to cook for you should you prefer, and the team can organise shoots, mini Highland games and so much more to keep everyone entertained.
Sleeps: 16
6/10Achnacloich, Argyll
Set on the banks of Loch Etive on the rugged, beautiful west coast of Scotland, Achnacloich is six miles east of Oban and simply beautiful. It sits in the middle of a 5,000-acre estate and is a much-loved home, which is evident in the comfortable, tasteful furnishings. There’s a formal dining room to accompany the charming eat-in kitchen, a music room, billiards room, playroom and so much more. Outside is the ideal place for long, bracing walks and various Scottish countryside pursuits, from fishing to golf.
Sleeps: 18
- Fenton Tower, East Lothian</a>","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6242e5b2b313fe794cb8c81a","index":6,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"offersLength":0,"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
7/10Fenton Tower, East Lothian
A mere 18 miles east of Edinburgh, on the coast near North Berwick, is the 16th-century Fenton Tower. It sleeps 13 guests in seven bedrooms, with seven bathrooms and 20 acres of secluded land and a private loch to explore. The interiors are suitably grand yet cosy and comfortable too to ensure a stay that really hits the mark.
Sleeps: 13
- Borthwick Castle, Midlothian</a>","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6242dfe9b313fe794cb8c812","index":7,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"offersLength":0,"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
8/10Borthwick Castle, Midlothian
The name Borthwick Castle might ring a bell, or its facade might; it's a historic keep near Edinburgh that was attacked by Oliver Cromwell and kept Mary, Queen of Scots safe after the murder of her husband. The rich stories of the 600-year-old castle are ever-present, with rooms named after its most famous guests and inhabitants and furnishings that transport you back in time. It is hard to find a castle quite as spectacular as Borthwick and the prices match, but it does sleep 26 guests.
Sleeps: 26
9/10Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire
Any golf lovers looking for a castle to rent should consider the 12th-century castle on the Rowallan Estate, which is conveniently located right next door to the Rowallan Castle golf course, designed by a Ryder Cup winner. Sport aside, it’s a charming building with four bedrooms (and an extra bed hidden behind a curtain in the games room), a panelled dining room and, of course, a turret.
Sleeps: 10
- Forter Castle, Cairngorms</a>","brand":{"name":""},"id":"61decdcc40722622e77b46e2","index":9,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"offersLength":0,"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Ray Main10/10Forter Castle, Cairngorms
Originally built in 1560 to protect the passes north into the Cairngorms, Forter Castle has undergone a spectacular renovation in recent decades, having been bought by the interior designer Katharine Pooley’s family. The castle, set across five floors with a marvellous great hall at its centre, is now available to rent in its entirety. The accommodation is incredibly comfortable – read our full review here to find out more – and the castle has its own chapel, making it perfect for weddings.
Sleeps: 16
Comments
Back to Top
