Are you ready to immerse yourself in the grandeur and history of Scotland? From breathtaking landscapes to rich cultural heritage, Scotland offers a unique blend of luxury and tradition. If you’re a fan of castles and luxurious bucket list travel experiences, here are five majestic castles for a luxury travel experience in Scotland, curated by Luxury Scotland Tours.
Crossbasket Castle
Located in High Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, 15 minutes from Glasgow, Crossbasket Castle is a stunning 17th-century castle that has been meticulously restored to its former glory. With its opulent interiors, tranquil surroundings, and exquisite dining experiences, Crossbasket Castle offers the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern luxury. Whether you’re indulging in a traditional afternoon tea, walking the woodland riverbank or unwinding in one of the castle’s elegant suites, this enchanting castle promises a truly unforgettable stay.
Accommodations
With each of the nine bedrooms in the main house uniquely designed, you will indulge in the luxurious details of period windows, antique furnishings, TV, and modern ensuite baths featuring towel warmers, plush robes and complimentary bath products.
Dining
With signature fine dining provided by Chef Michel Roux Jr., the menu focuses on traditional French cooking using fresh Scottish ingredients. Dining happens in The Baillie Room, decorated in gold leaf, dark wood, artwork and lavish antiques under a stunning chandelier.
Activities
With such close proximity to Glasgow, explore famous city landmarks like the Glasgow Cathedral, The Necropolis, and Kelvingrove Museum. Grab a bite at popular and Ox and Finch, and don’t miss out on shopping in the Glasgow city center.
Isle of Eriska
Nestled on a private island on the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Eriska is a luxurious retreat on 365 wooded acres that boasts not only a stunning castle dating back to 1884, but is also a renowned five-star hotel. Surrounded by unspoiled natural, rugged beauty of mountains, lochs and inlets, this exclusive estate offers a perfect escape for travelers seeking tranquility and refinement. Guests can savor gourmet dining, rejuvenate at the spa, or partake in outdoor activities while relishing the timeless allure of this extraordinary Scottish castle hotel.
Accommodations
With 16 opulent bedrooms, 5 spa suites, and 2 garden cottages, you will be surrounded by nature and beauty no matter what your preference. All rooms feature an en suite bath, bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer, Penhaligons toiletries, bluetooth sound system, complimentary tea & coffee and complimentary WiFi.
Dining
The Isle of Eriska features two distinctive restaurants, The Main House Restaurant, and the seasonal The Deck, located in the spa building. The restored main house restaurant offers an A La Carte menu with produce from the local area, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dark wood-paneled Library Bar is the perfect place to grab a nightcap or afternoon tea.
Activities
The grounds are the perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities like croquet, bird and wildlife watching, mountain biking, archery and axe throwing .Being on an island also makes Isle of Eriska the ideal place for fishing, kayaking, sailing and water sports. Book an intimate falconry experience with Elite Falconry to experience birds of prey up close and personal, as they soar, take flight and land on your gloved hand, or try your hand at Clay Pigeon Shooting. If relaxing in on your agenda, head to the ESPA Spa, which is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate with a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and indoor pool.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Set amidst the spellbinding landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and Ben Nevis Mountain, Inverlochy Castle Hotel is a quintessential Scottish castle offering unparalleled luxury and hospitality, known as Scotland’s finest country house hotel. Dating back to the 19th century, this regal castle hotel provides a captivating blend of historic grandeur and luxurious comfort, and was a reprieve from running the British Empire for Queen Victoria. From its award-winning restaurant to its lavish accommodations and service, Inverlochy Castle Hotel presents a lavish retreat for discerning travelers seeking an authentic taste of Scotland’s aristocratic heritage.
Accommodations
With 17 uniquely decorated Victorian rooms in the main house, you will be comfortable with 400 thread count Egyptian cotton Peter Reed bed linen, Penhaligon’s Quercus toiletries, flat screen televisions disguised as mirrors, luxurious robes, slippers, in-room safe, radio, complimentary bottled water, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Dining
Overlooking the majestic grounds, dining at Seasgair by Michel Roux Jr. should not be missed. Seasgair, meaning ” warm and cozy” in Gaelic gives you a sophisticated dining experience, while making you feel like you were dining as a guest in a luxurious home.
Dinner starts at 7pm in the Great Hall with a glass of Champagne or cocktail, paired with chef prepared canapes. After being escorted to the dining rooms, five artful courses created with the help of small, local producers await. The menu changes with the day’s availability, but Scottish specialties such as Highland Venison Wellington, Wild Boar Charcuterie and Scottish Oysters have been known to make an appearance on the ever-changing menu.
Activities
Inside the castle, a full-sized snooker table can provide hours of entertainment, along with the extensive whisky library featuring several limited-edition bottles.
Stroll the landscaped gardens and admire the highland cows and sheep, or schedule time for falconry, clay pigeon shooting, quad biking, off road 4 x4 driving, pony trekking, golf or skiing. With a private loch, guests are welcome to fish on the private property. With close proximity to the highlands, it is the ideal location to explore Ben Nevis Mountain, gondola up Aonach Mor, Walk through Glen Nevis to Steall Falls (where Braveheart was filmed), or take a day trip to Skye.
Greywalls Hotel
Situated near the charming town of Gullane in East Lothian, Greywalls Hotel exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Built in the Edwardian era as a holiday home by the Honorable Alfred Lyttelton, this magnificent castle hotel is an architectural gem and renowned for its impeccable service, exquisite cuisine, and picturesque surroundings, including a formal 6-acre walled garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1901. A 45-minute drive from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the hotel features 23 bedrooms, dining at Chez Roux, and access to nature, local history and world-renowned golf courses.
Accommodations
Each of the 23 rooms at Greywalls is unique, with its own decor and antique furnishings. All rooms come with an ensuite bath, as well as TV. You will find fireplaces, seating areas, writing desks, chaise lounges and clawfoot tubs among the decor, as well as diverse artwork.
Dining at Chez Roux
Restaurant Chez Roux is overseen once again by European Chef Michel Roux Jr., owner of three Michelin-star Le Gavroche. The restaurant is spread out across 4 rooms, including the main dining room, the original dining room, Whisky Room and Sunroom. The different settings can suit any occasion, and offer breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. With a focus on local ingredients, menu items can be traced back to specific farms in the area, including Wellocks for fruit and vegetables, Campbells Prime Meats for meat and fish and Katy Rodger’s for yogurt and butter.
Activities
Whether you’re teeing off at the adjacent world-renowned Muirfield Golf Course or one of the championship golf courses of Gullane, Luffness, North Berwick, Renaissance and Archerfield nearby, Greywalls is the perfect stay for golf lovers. Other local activities include exploring the nearby coastline of Aberlady Beach, visit the charming seaside town of North Berwick, or sip on local libations with a local Gin & Whisky tour, where you can visit the home of ‘The Edinburgh Malt’, Glenkinchie Distillery, for a tour and tasting experience, as well as afternoon tea at the award winning NB Gin Distillery or seeing the local history. Greywalls Hotel offers a refined Scottish retreat that is sure to captivate even the most discerning travelers.
Traquair Castle
Located less than an hour from Edinburgh, Traquair Castle was originally owned by the kings of Scotland, then the home of the Earls of Traquair and is still lived in by their descendants, the Maxwell Stuart family since 1491. It dates back to 1107, and is the oldest inhabited home in Scotland. Formerly a hunting lodge for royalty, the on-site museum documents the history, including visits by 27 Scottish Kings and Queens, including Mary Queen of Scots.
Accommodations
Traquair Castle has three suites available for booking. The first floor Pink Room is a luxurious suite overlooking the maze, and originally the room of Lord Traquair. Decor includes an 18th-century trompe l’oeil over the fireplace, plush seating area, writing desk and canopied bed in a light floral motif.
Located in the late 17th-century wing of the house on the ground floor next to the Lower Drawing Room is The Blue and White Rooms. The Blue Room looks onto Cupid’s Garden, while the views in The White Room looks up to the Bear Gates. All suites feature antique furnishings, canopied beds, ensuite baths and central heating.
Activities
The house has 19 stunning rooms open to the public, all with eighteenth century décor and a glimpse into the intricate history of the area. Stroll through The 3rd floor library, containing a collection of over 3,000 books, dating back to the 1700’s, and see the King’s Room in the original tower, where Mary Queen of Scots slept.
On the grounds, you will find The Maze, The Old Walled Garden, a chapel dating back to 1829, a working brewery and an adventure playground for children. Surrounded by unspoilt woodlands and the world-famous River Tweed makes Tranquiar an ideal place for nature walks and fishing for trout, salmon and grayling.
Scotland’s castles offer a luxurious and enchanting glimpse into the country’s storied past, and these five unbelievable destinations promise an unforgettable blend of opulence, history, and natural beauty. Whether you’re seeking a retreat in a castle hotel or a captivating journey through Scotland’s regal heritage, these majestic castles are sure to leave a lasting impression. To learn more: luxuryscotlandtours.com.
