10 Best Castle Hotels in Scotland

There is a whole heap of reasons why people visit Scotland, and Scotland castle hotels is one of them. Luxury castle hotels Scotland allow you to experience a dose of history while making you feel like the barons and royals who once called them home. Finding the right accommodation is crucial if you want to indulge yourself like royalty in Scotland. We have put together a list of the best castle hotels in Scotland to help you plan your next vacation.

10 Beautiful Luxury Castle Hotels Scotland

Scotland is undoubtedly brimming with incredible castle hotels that strike a balance between traditional Scottish heritage and modern luxury, such as Fonab castle hotel Scotland. We have hand-picked the best castle hotels in Scotland located in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

Every castle hotel Scotland that made it on our list offers the ultimate in relaxation and comfort. If you are looking for an enchanting hotel castle in Scotland that will allow you to live like royalty, here are some accommodation choices that will ensure an unforgettable retreat and a truly exceptional experience.

1. Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire

Set in lush woodland and gardens, Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire is a grand nineteenth-century Scottish Baronial escape. This Scotland castle hotel was built in 1870, and it has managed to retain its original Victorian character. The public rooms feature Austrian wood paneling, objets d’art, log fires, and period furniture, which creates a warm, modern Victorian ambiance.

Sandstone battlements viewed from the Italianate gardens and Azalea pond evoke a fairy tale. Old-school, opulent, and posh, without being stuffy, this castle hotel is located about 1.5 miles southeast of Ballantrae, South Ayrshire.

Glenapp Castle has a restaurant that grows most of its fresh produce on the castle grounds; they source the rest from local farmers and fishermen in Ayrshire. Guests will enjoy a baronial dining experience, and the highlight is the elaborate 6-course dinner menu that includes John Dory, cod, salmon, and haggis.

You can take advantage of its all-weather tennis court, witness falconry displays, play croquet, and admire the 150-foot Victorian glasshouse. Additionally, boat hire is available for sea fishing. Royal Troon and Turnberry golf courses are within driving distance.

2. Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William

As one of the best 19th-century luxury castle hotels Scotland, Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William is set amongst the stunning Scottish West Highlands scenery. Queen Victoria stayed at this castle in 1873 and stated she had never seen a more romantic or lovelier spot.

When you stay at one of their luxury suites, you’ll be treated like royalty and follow in the British monarchy’s footsteps. You can enjoy various exciting activities, including fishing, stalking, off-road driving, white-water rafting, and skiing. Alternatively, you can row around the beautiful loch, then read by the drawing-room fire or drink whisky in the billiard room.

After the thrilling adventure, you can head to Michael Roux Jr. Restaurant, where French cooking methods meet seasonal Scottish ingredients. You can have Scottish sea trout and lemongrass sauce, and then follow it with duck in duck jus; you can finish with the clotted cream parfait.

Lying at Ben Nevis foot, girdled by a ring of breathtaking highland peaks, Inverlochy Castle Hotel is undoubtedly a place of quiet beauty, without indication that the hustling and bustling tourist center of Fort William is just one or two miles up the road. Albert and Michel Roux Jr are in charge of the kitchen, ensuring you enjoy a good meal.

3. Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa, Pitlochry

Nestled at the center of Highland Perthshire and set on 11 acres, Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa, Pitlochry is one of the best castle hotels in Scotland for those seeking a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway. It’s also among the top Scotland castle hotels with everything guests need for a spa break.

Once you have checked into your room, head over to Woodland Spa and enjoy a quick dip in the indoor swimming pool. You can then relax in the spa pool and sweat it out in the steam room and sauna before enjoying a massage.

Fonab castle hotel Scotland dates back to 1892, and it was owned by the Sandeman family. The odd modern twist adds to the hotel’s unique charm. It has an upscale restaurant with a wood-paneled interior that provides an elegant ambiance. You can choose from a diversified menu that offers familiar classics fused with a contemporary twist and a 7-course gourmet tasting meal.

You can spend your days going on white water rafting along Rivers Tay, Tummel, and Garry, Tummel or go on guided salmon fishing trips. Alternatively, you can enjoy half-or-full-day sightseeing tours and explore the Scottish countryside.

4. Crossbasket Castle, Lanarkshire

If you are looking for a unique and luxurious castle hotel experience, Crossbasket Castle, Lanarkshire has got you covered. Many lords and ladies have passed through the magnificent entranceway of this 17th-century castle. Each of the 9 suites at this castle hotel Scotland was named and designed in recognition of its former custodians.

Expect opulent and traditional tastes throughout this hotel castle in Scotland, with intricate gold leaf cornicing, wood paneling, tasseled drapes, and antique furniture. You can dine in the Baillie restaurant, which has three Henry Raeburn portraits on the walls. The menu offers meals from Scotland’s renowned natural larder mixed with creative flair.

Located a 30-minute drive from Glasgow, this castle hotel is set on 14 acres of ground that have access to a riverside that takes in a small waterfall. This makes it an elegant base for exploring: you can drive 8 miles to the ruins of Cadzow Castle and Chatelherault Country Park. Guests also have plenty to do outside, including golfing, hiking, and fishing.

5. Mingary Castle

Remote, secluded, and unalterably romantic, Mingary Castle is a popular Scotland castle hotel perched on a dramatic rocky outcrop that overlooks the windswept Sound of Mull. Its location on the 50-square-mile Ardnamurchan Peninsula is steeped in history, mystery, and heritage.

This castle dates back to the 13th or 14th century, and it was built by the MacLain of Ardnamurchan. In the late 15th century, King James IV used the castle as a stronghold for fighting Clan Donald.

The four suites within the castle’s walls feature medieval-inspired 4-poster wooden beds that come furnished with beautiful hand-sewn coverings, curtains, and quilts.

Mingary Castle has a restaurant where you can enjoy a fine dining experience; in the mornings, you’ll have a full Scottish breakfast, while a multi-course tasting menu is available in the evenings.

6. Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry

Set in Highland Perthshire, Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry is surrounded by picturesque views of the Tummel Valley. It’s one of the best 19th-century luxury castle hotels Scotland and has welcomed guests for more than 135 years. The castle hotel offers stunning gardens, a range of sports and leisure facilities, a swimming pool, and scenic river and mountain views.

It’s a typical Scottish baronial structure featuring indoor spaces graced with log fireplaces and high ceilings. You can unwind at the gorgeous Lavender Spa, taste and enjoy Scottish cuisine to the fullest at the Verandah Restaurant, and head to the lounge to have afternoon tea.

If you want to learn about the history of this palace, you can go to Atholl Palace Museum. You could also enjoy a round of golf at Pitlochry Golf Club or go on a Highland Safari. Atholl Palace Hotel has a fully-equipped gym, snooker, tennis courts, and a children’s playground.

7. Glengorm Castle, Isle of Mull

Also known as Castle Sorn, Glengorm Castle, Isle of Mull is among the best castle hotels in Scotland that feel like a private home. This 19th-century country house is situated on high ground furthest towards the north of the tip of Mull that overlooks outlying islands, Ardnamurchan Peninsula, and the Sound of Mull.

Glengorm Castle is one of the Scotland castle hotels with grandiose looks and proportions. The private home has an electric mix of pictures and furniture. The hall has a large open fire, and it’s furnished as a sitting room.

There is also an extensive selection of whiskeys for guests to enjoy at the library, which is also full of collected tomes. The delightful Nelson family stays in a separate wing and uses the main staircase, which adds to the joyful feeling of being in a loved family home.

You can enjoy your breakfast at a 16th-century long table, with unparalleled views from the bay windows of the dining room. Tobermory and several restaurants and pubs are four miles away.

8. Dalhousie Castle Hotel, Midlothian

Dating from the 13th century, Dalhousie Castle Hotel, Midlothian is one of the top-rated castle hotels near Edinburgh Scotland. It’s also the oldest inhabited hotel castle in Scotland; in 1400, this castle withstood a siege by Henry Bolingbroke, and Cromwell captured it two hundred years later.

The moat has been filled, and an imposing entrance hall with a mini-Imperial staircase and vaulted faux-Gothic ceiling creates a grand first impression. Secret staircases and carpeted corridors lead to oak-paneled public rooms. Additions and alterations over the two centuries have produced a blend of contemporary and ancient.

This castle hotel houses 29 rooms and suites, each designed with Scottish tartan fabrics, twee, and twill. If you are looking for a castle hotel Scotland that offers luxurious accommodation, a spa, and award-winning fine dining, Dalhousie Castle Hotel is your best option.

You can enjoy your dinner at the vaulted Dungeon Restaurant, which is adorned with authentic period paraphernalia. On the way to their uniquely decorated rooms, guests can take in the castle’s history by examining its nooks and crannies.

9. Stonefield Castle, Loch Fyne

Situated on the Kintyre Peninsula close to the fishing town of Tarbert, Stonefield Castle, Loch Fyne is one of the best luxury castle hotels Scotland with an enviable location. The on-site restaurant offers stunning lake views and serves traditional Scottish cuisine fit for a king.

Stonefield Castle was constructed on the site of Barmore, and it has been operating as a castle hotel since 1950. While the bar, library, and drawing room have had a gentle refresh, they retained their Victorian character with stags’ heads, crackling log fires, coffered ceilings, and candlelight.

Housed in a modern extension, the dining room offers a coach-party feel, allowing all guests to get a piece of the dazzling view. The property is covered by immense natural beauty. If you love animals, you can spend your days exploring the 60 acres of grounds: it’s a perfect place for wildlife spotting, and you can see otters, seals, and humpback whales.

10. Sherbrooke Castle Hotel

Sitting on the top of a hill in the southern region of Glasgow, Sherbrooke Castle Hotel is one of the best castle hotels near Edinburgh Scotland. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds, this Scotland castle hotel has a romantic and charming presence.

Crafted in rich red sandstone, this castle hotel is set in aesthetically pleasing landscaped gardens in the lush suburb. It’s ideal for those looking for a castle hotel Scotland with a Victorian setting.

The on-site restaurant serves guests high-quality ingredients with a unique, contemporary twist. The main dishes include Scottish beef, Cajun chicken burgers, beef bourguignon, and pumpkin tortellini. Be sure to enjoy your finger-licking food with wine.

Sherbrooke Castle Hotel also has a meeting room that can hold up to 200 hundred people, making it ideal for leisure and business trips and celebrating weddings.

Wrapping up the best luxury castle hotels Scotland

There you have it. Now you know the best castle hotels in Scotland that offer royal treatment. Spending a night at one of these lavish Scotland castle hotels will make you feel like the barons and royals who once called them home. Castle hotels like Fonab Castle Hotel Scotland boast scenic views while balancing their past with contemporary sensibilities. If you are looking for an ultra-luxurious Scottish castle experience, book accommodation at one of these hotels; they can spark happiness and create unforgettable memories.