Top 10 Historic Houses and Castles
-
1. Skibo Castle, Dornoch
Madonna and Bill Clinton stay here, and if £900 per day fazes you, don’t read on. Scotland’s most expensive hotel is in fact a club: you may stay once, after that you must join in order to re-acquaint yourself with the luxurious surrounds. Golf galore, unbelievable quality and, of course, very discreet.
-
2. Inverlochy Castle, Fort William
So long among Scotland’s elite it has become the yardstick for excellence. Sumptuous décor, falconry displays on the lawn and a surrounding mountain landscape. The King of Norway presented the dining room furniture, and he wouldn’t be disappointed with what’s served upon it.
-
3. Kildrummy Castle Hotel, Nr Alford
Outstanding baronial home with a magnificent stairway. The hotel blends colonial-like extravagance with eiderdown comfort. Here, you feel like a millionaire’s best friend. Fine food and a wine list that spans the globe adds up to a grand experience.
-
4. Culloden House, Inverness
Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here (he commandeered the place in 1746) and the hosts have dined out on the story ever since. Glistening chandeliers and Adams plasterwork enhance a building of exceptional architecture. Every room uniquely decorated, and superb dining.
-
5. Balfour Castle, Orkney
An extraordinary retreat, its hospitality overseen by the remarkable Zawadskis (see Balfour Castle, Orkney) .
-
6. Shieldhill Castle, Biggar
Established in 1199, this venerable castle offers undiluted comfort … as well as over 90 malts in the Gun Room Bar. Eat à la carte or more cheaply in the Armoury, where the chef’s experimental dishes are offered.
-
7. Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick
A romantic setting, next to the sea. A refined establishment whose charges include dinner and breakfast (see Knockinaam Lodge) .
-
8. Ednam House Hotel, Kelso
Classic Georgian mansion, with an outlook over the River Tweed – a major draw for its rooms and classy restaurant. The building retains period features and, though slightly heavy-handed with patterns, its clutter of fishing paraphernalia adds a homely feel.
-
9. Glenfinnan House Hotel, Glenfinnan
An imposing 18th-century pine-panelled stately home which overlooks Loch Shiel. Excellent value, the rooms ranging in price according to views, this hotel has good home cooking and a bar where folk musicians often gather.
-
10. Easter Dunfallandy Country House, Pitlochry
In a tranquil location overlooking the Tummel valley, this small country house has just three bedrooms. Voted into the top 20 B&Bs for the whole of Britain, Easter Dunfallandy is inexpensive rural living, where the day begins with a hearty Highland breakfast. No children under 12 are allowed, no dogs and no risk of disturbance to the tranquillity.
Advertisement
-
-
Prague guide
Chroni
-
ibrgic's London guide
ibrgic
-
megs55's Prague guide
Laurel
-
The Wanderer's Beijing guide
The Wa
-
Ligia's Paris guide
ligian
-
Barcelona guide
Europe
-
-
-
A Tour of London (with Food)
Accide
-
Paris guide
rosale
-
Firstimers Las Vegas guide
erinen
-
Munich guide
KPotvi
-
heidik's Los Angeles guide
heidik
-
-
St Andrew's FestivalWhere better to celebrate St Andrew's Day than with the people of the city named after him. St Andrew's Day falls on 30 November each year, and the capital of Fife celebrates for a number of days... Read more
-
Glamis CastleThe stunning architecture and beautiful gardens of Glamis Castle make it one of Scotland's leading visitor attractions. Inexplicably tied to the history and myth of the nation, Glamis has been open... Read more
-
Flambeaux ProcessionThe Perthshire village of Comrie is ablaze at New Year when hundreds of locals gather in the village square for a ceremony of eight flambeaux (fired torches) which process around the village before... Read more
-
Stonehaven Fireball FestivalEvery New Year at midnight, the Hogmanay celebrations in the town of Stonehaven centre around a large, fireball-swinging procession which marches through the town down to the harbour and then throws... Read more











symbol, to start adding attractions to your
tailor-made travel guide.
If you were signed in, you could write a review here. Register for a free account, or if you're already a member, sign in.