Glorious Scottish castles to rent for holidays
Scotland is not short of a castle or two–in fact, it has over 1,500 dotted across its counties and they're all rather lovely. While some are privately owned, others are in disrepair and some offer lodges or gatehouses to rent, there are also some pretty swanky examples of Scottish castles you can rent in their entirety. There would be few finer places to spend Christmas–especially if it snowed–ring in the New Year over Hogmanay or simply escape with family and friends 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 to canoe, trout fishing to archery and even your very own mini Highland games. From Ayshire to Inverness, these are the best castles to rent in Scotland.
1/9Ayrshire Castle, Ayrshire
The west coast of Scotland is renowned for its beauty, so where better to hire a 15th-century castle than there? This gleaming emblem of royalty was built as a wedding present for Princess Mary, daughter of James II of Scotland, before becoming a court prison and then reverting back to a glorious private house. There are incredible views, rich warm interiors and plenty of quirky original features to enjoy for the 14 guests that the castle can sleep.
Sleeps: 14
From: £3,339 per week
2/9Dundas 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 Dundas Castle, which dates from the 15th century, and its marvellous façade and a stay of any length there would be very hard to forget indeed.
Sleeps: 37
From: POA
3/9Aldourie 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
From: POA
4/9Neidpath 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 Scot's chamber, so it is certainly fit for royalty.
Sleeps: 2
From: £385 per night
5/9Wardhill 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 grounds to roam throughout. 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
From: £7,500 for 3 nights
6/9Fenton Tower, East Lothian
A mere 18 miles east of Edinburgh, on the coast near North Berwick is the 16th-century castle named Fenton Tower. In the typical pink style of Scottish castles, 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 to remind you of your surrounds, yet cosy and comfortable too to ensure a stay that hits every mark.
Sleeps: 13
From: £2,400 per night
7/9Borthwick 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
From: £12,000 per night
8/9Rowallan 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. Golf 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
From: £1,200 per night
Ray Main9/9Forter 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 in the 1980s. Luxurious and expansive, 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
7-night stays start at £4725 per week. Shorter stays are available from £3465 for 3 nights
