Best Luxury Castles & Stately Homes In Scotland

From medieval fortresses to country mansions and movie-like residences, there’s no better place than Scotland’s countryside, for a romantic or active break. Rub shoulders with celebrities and walk in the footsteps of some Scottish icons as you eat, sleep and play in some of the finest, most historic castles and stately homes in the land.



High Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Crossbasket Castle

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms9 Luxurious Rooms & Suites With Elegant Period Furnishings, Two Lodges & Cottages
AmenitiesFine Dining By Albert & Michel Roux Jr, Whisky Library
In the knowHistoric Setting In A Restored 17th-Century Castle Just Outside of Glasgow, Surrounded By 14 Acres of Beautiful Woodland & Garden

One of Scotland’s premier hotel and event venues, Crossbasket Castle is steeped in the history of Scotland. Observe the immaculately presented beauty and grandeur of traditional architecture, restored using traditional crafters and materials. Crossbasket offers both peace and tranquillity, striking a careful balance between tradition and modernity. Sumptuous fine dining is offered by the Roux culinary dynasty, showcasing the best of Scotland’s renowned larder.

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Crossbasket Castle

Ballantrae, Ayrshire, Scotland

Glenapp Castle

Hotel
(5 stars)

Hidden within 36 acres of Italian gardens and woodland outside of Ballantrae, this hotel lies close to the Ayrshire coastline. A late 19th-century baronial castle, it was first intended as the family seat for the Earl of Inchcape and holds a significant claim to fame – Winston Churchill was said to have discussed the D-Day landings while staying here in the 1940s. Pursuits for the well-heeled are a speciality – shooting, fishing and falconry, as well as tennis and croquet. Inside, guests can relax beside log fires, feast on six-course meals and peruse enormous wine lists. 17 bedrooms offer a period feel filled with antiquities and panelled or marble bathrooms include Penhaligon toiletries.

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Glenapp Castle

Bishopton, Scotland

Mar Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms53 Elegant Rooms & Suites
AmenitiesFine Scottish Dining At Cristal Restaurant, ishga Spa, Fitness Centre, 18-Hole Championship Golf Course
In the knowTranquil 240-Acre Estate 30 Minutes from Glasgow City Centre Overlooking the River Clyde

Technically not in Glasgow, this 5-star hotel, golf and spa estate is just a 30-minute drive from the city centre and the airport. Set in 240 acres of luscious woodland estate, Mar Hall is an Edwardian Scottish mansion with 53 individually designed rooms, a championship golf course, a Decleor spa, a swimming pool and fine or casual dining options. Most rooms have windows on multiple walls boasting impressive views over the Clyde and the Kilpatrick hills, and 4-poster beds ready to sink into after a long day. The decor is traditional country manor-chic but the hotel is anything but old-fashioned. It’s definitely worth booking for dinner in the Cristal Dining Room for one night when staying at Mar Hall, as the award-winning chef serves up some incredible dishes and the room itself is an equally impressive sight!

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Mar Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort

Glenmorangie House

Hotel
(5 stars)

One of only a handful of Scottish hotels to boast the Michelin Hotel Guide single ‘Red House’ symbol, this country house is found on the coast, an hour from Inverness. Deeply romantic in setting, Glenmorangie House is surrounded by a walled garden and located beside a ruined castle. And with just nine bedrooms, the intimate atmosphere lends itself to an exclusive couples’ escape. Award-winning menus are served in a dinner party style to provide a sociable element to your stay and camaraderie with fellow guests. As you may expect from a hotel inspired by the national beverage, whisky tastings are frequent – plus you might even be surprised by a spontaneous post-dinner ceilidh featuring local musicians. Read our expert review here.

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Glenmorangie House

Isle of Eriska Hotel & Spa

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Amenities34 Rooms, Suites & Cottages, Restaurant Serving Modern Scottish Cuisine, Bar, Full Service Spa With Sauna, Steam Room & Indoor Swimming Pool, Fitness Centre, 9-Hole Golf Course, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Tennis Courts & Nature Walks, All Set on a Private 300-Acre Island Offering Seclusion & Tranquillity On Scotland's West Coast.

There is something extremely romantic and magical about escaping to a private island for a holiday and the 300 acres of stunning land that is the Isle of Eriska certainly does not disappoint. This is the setting and the perfect backdrop for those guests choosing to stay at the Isle of Eriska Hotel and Spa. For over four decades the Buchanan-Smith Family worked hard on developing and nurturing this hotel which has flourished into a luxury destination offering guests peace, tranquillity, outdoor pursuits and much more – all with a touch of luxury. The hotel comprises of 34 bedrooms with 16 bedrooms in the main house, 5 spa suites located in the gardens with private hot tub, 2 garden cottages and 6 hilltop reserves along with a self-catering house option which is a short drive from the main hotel. Fine dining in the Hotel Restaurant or something more casual on The Deck can be enjoyed by residents and non-residents.

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Isle of Eriska Hotel & Spa

Fonab Castle Hotel

Hotel
(5 stars)

Perched on the edge of Loch Faskally in Pitlochry, this Baronial castle was built in 1892. Created for the port and sherry merchants, Sandeman, it has since been turned into a glamorous hotel and spa. Family owned and run (by the Clark family) the castle houses 42 bedrooms, four treatment rooms, a pool, a sauna and two restaurants. Eating and drinking can be both an exquisite and unusual experience here, with mood-lit pod dining, a unique gin bar and triple AA Rosette-awarded cuisine accompanied by waterside views. And as the town’s only five-star hotel, it’s the fanciest address at which to stay in town.

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Fonab Castle Hotel

Barcaldine Castle

Bed & Breakfast

For the quintessential turreted fairytale castle experience, book a stay at Barcaldine, on the outskirts of Oban. Beams, wood panels, a great hall, a turnpike staircase, a secret passage and a bottle dungeon below stairs all contribute to the sense of stepping back in time here. The decor is traditionally Highland, with plenty of tartans, tweed, brown leather and claw-footed roll-top tubs. Accommodation is offered on a bed and breakfast basis, with friendly hosts Liz and Ronnie serving a full Scottish and an optional afternoon tea. If you don’t fancy an evening picnic, dinner can be served at the nearby restaurant.

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Barcaldine Castle

* All the properties and products we feature are independently selected by our editors and contributors. If you buy something we may earn a commission.

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