Ready to feel like royalty? Scotland is home to some of the dreamiest castle hotels, where you can sleep in centuries-old towers, wander lush estates, and live out your fairytale vibes. But here is the reality for 2026: The landscape has changed. With the rollout of the new Visitor Levy (Tourist Tax) across various Scottish council areas and a massive boom in luxury infrastructure, choosing where you stay is now a strategic financial decision, not just a romantic one.
I’ve dug into the latest renovation reports and 2026 master plans to bring you eight castles that are worth the splurge. These aren’t just drafty old towers…many have just completed multi-million pound renovations. Whether it’s for a romantic escape or a tax-efficient base near Edinburgh, these Scottish gems have you covered.
Quick Compare: Best Castles for 2026
| Castle | Best For… | 2026 Insider Status |
| Mansfield Castle | Budget Royalty | ✅ Classic Victorian Charm |
| Glenapp Castle | Foodies | ✅ New “Azalea” Glasshouse Open |
| Melville Castle | Edinburgh Access | ✅ Avoids City Center Traffic/Fees |
| Fonab Castle | Modern Luxury | ✅ New Lochside Dining Pods |
- Don’t have time to read the full guide? Here are my favorite Scottish castles with availability right now!
Best castle hotels in Scotland: 8 amazing stays
It’s not every day you get to spend the night sleeping in the same rooms as the Scottish nobility. Make the most out of it by staying at one of the very best luxury castle hotels in Scotland.
1. Mansfield Castle Hotel
- 📍 Location: Tain, Scottish Highlands
- 💰 Prices From: $124 USD per night
- ✨ Top Amenities: 3 acres of picturesque countryside, award-winning restaurant with traditional Scottish cuisine, residents’ reading lounge, pet-friendly accommodations, free parking and WiFi
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: History enthusiasts, couples seeking romance, golfers exploring Highland courses, whisky lovers, wedding parties
There’s something absolutely magical about stepping into a real Victorian castle where you can actually sleep in rooms that feel like they belong in a period drama. Built in the late 1870s, the Mansfield Castle Hotel sits in a picturesque countryside with magnificent oak paneling throughout, creating an atmosphere that makes you feel like Scottish nobility.
The breakfast here is legendary. Guests rave about it being “outstanding, one of the best breakfasts over a 6 week tour of Scotland/England/Ireland”, and I can see why with the majestic dining room setting. You can even choose between staying directly in the castle or the garden wing, both equally charming.
Located just a few minutes drive from the famous Glenmorangie distillery and near the legendary Dornoch golf course, you’re perfectly positioned to explore the best of the Highlands. The cozy residents’ reading lounge with its period furnishings is the perfect spot to plan your Highland adventures while sipping whisky by the fire.
My Insider Tip: When booking, pay close attention to the room category. The “Tower Rooms” offer that authentic, high-ceiling Victorian vibe, while the “Garden Wing” rooms are more modern but lack the historic character. If you want the full “Outlander” experience, you must request the main building.
- Read next: Beautiful Places in Scotland
- You may also like: Best Luxury Hotels
2. Glenapp Castle
- 📍 Location: Ballantrae, South Ayrshire
- 💰 Prices From: $428 USD per night
- ✨ Top Amenities: 5-star Relais & Châteaux property, acres of gardens and woodland, 3 AA Rosette restaurant, 4,500 sq ft Castle Penthouse Suite, award-winning dining with kitchen gardens, Hebridean Sea Safari boat excursions, period furnishings and antiques
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Luxury seekers, couples on romantic getaways, fine dining enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, special occasion celebrations
Glenapp Castle is where fairy tales come to life. Imagine gliding up a tree-lined drive that ends at a breathtaking Scottish Baronial castle with mystical towers, all set against stunning seascapes overlooking the volcanic outcrop of Ailsa Craig. Dating back to 1870, this Relais & Châteaux property feels like stepping into a bygone era of opulence where you’re genuinely treated like royalty.
Each of the 17 individually designed suites has its own unique combination of fabrics, art, and antiques, with many featuring cozy fireplaces for winter evenings. The award-winning restaurant is extraordinary, sourcing ingredients directly from their extensive kitchen gardens, and the dining rooms offer spectacular sea views that make every meal feel like a special occasion.
You can explore the Hebridean islands on the castle’s own boat, try falconry on the grounds, or simply wander through 36 acres of lush gardens. Tucked in Scotland’s enchanting, lesser-traveled Southwest coast, couples particularly adore this place, rating the location an incredible 9.7 out of 10.
2026 Update: The big news at Glenapp is the opening of the Azalea Glasshouse Restaurant. It offers a lighter, greener dining alternative to the heavy grandeur of the main castle dining room. I highly recommend booking a lunch here to break up your stay…it’s become a destination in itself!
3. Melville Castle
- 📍 Location: Dalkeith, near Edinburgh
- 💰 Prices From: $118 USD per night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Historic 1786 architecture, Library Bar, award-winning restaurant, free parking and WiFi, pet-friendly accommodations, dramatic ornate bedrooms with original features, cozy billiards room
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Edinburgh explorers, history buffs, couples seeking romance, families wanting space, pet owners, wedding parties
Just 20 minutes from Edinburgh, this feels like discovering a secret castle retreat where you can truly disconnect from the world. Built in 1786, Melville Castle has hosted some serious VIPs including George IV, Sir Walter Scott, and Queen Victoria. What strikes you immediately is how they’ve brilliantly balanced historic grandeur with bold, contemporary interior design that could have been a disaster but works spectacularly.
The dramatic, ornate bedrooms are filled with original features and fearless patterns and colors that somehow feel perfectly at home in the castle walls. Set on a sprawling 54-acre private estate, you can stroll through grounds where horses graze and streams run through the forest.
The Library Bar is absolutely magical for evening cocktails, and the restaurant serves incredible fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. There’s even a cozy billiards room for entertainment, and the whole place is dog-friendly if you’re traveling with your furry companion.
With Edinburgh introducing a Visitor Levy and city center hotels hiking prices, Melville is a smart travel hack. You are technically outside the congestion zone but only 20 minutes from the Royal Mile. It’s the perfect base to dip into the city without paying city-center premiums.
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👉 Send me cheap 2026 flights- Read next: My Favorite Things to Do in Edinburgh
4. Inverlochy Castle Hotel
- 📍 Location: Fort William, Scottish Highlands
- 💰 Prices From: $403 USD per night
- ✨ Top Amenities: 19th-century baronial splendor, Albert and Michel Roux Jr restaurant with AA 3 Red Rosettes, private loch and tranquil gardens, clay pigeon shooting and archery, luxury Walled Garden rooms, helicopter and Rolls Royce transfers available
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Luxury seekers, culinary enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, couples on special occasions, royalty wannabes
This is where Queen Victoria herself fell head over heels, writing in her diary “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot” after her 1873 visit. Nestled in the foothills of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Inverlochy Castle Hotel is a baronial masterpiece that feels like your own private Scottish kingdom.
What sets Inverlochy apart is the legendary Albert and Michel Roux Jr restaurant, holding AA 3 Red Rosettes and serving some of Scotland’s finest cuisine. You can choose between staying in the castle itself or the stunning Walled Garden rooms, which perfectly balance castle charm with completely updated interiors.
The activities here are incredible, from clay pigeon shooting and archery on the grounds to helicopter tours over the Highlands. Located just three miles from Fort William, you’re perfectly positioned to explore Glencoe, Ben Nevis, and the legendary Scottish Highlands while returning each evening to absolute luxury and sophistication.
While the rooms are opulent, the real draw for 2026 travelers is the “Seasgair” dining experience by Michel Roux Jr. It’s a theatrical, shared-dining concept designed to feel like a private dinner party hosted by the castle’s lady of the house. It’s interactive and far less stuffy than traditional fine dining. A must-do if you stay here!
5. Mingary Castle
- 📍 Location: Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan Peninsula
- 💰 Prices From: $412 USD per night
- ✨ Top Amenities: 13th-century castle on rocky outcrop, Colin Nicholson’s award-winning restaurant, daily changing 5 or 8-course tasting menus, luxurious Georgian-style suites, panoramic views over Sound of Mull, exposed stone fireplaces, Egyptian cotton sheets, private terraces and gardens
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Culinary adventurers, romantic couples, history enthusiasts, off-the-beaten-path travelers, special occasion celebrations
Mingary Castle is pretty much Scotland’s ultimate hidden gem, perched dramatically on its own rocky outcrop at the most westerly point of mainland Britain. After lying in ruins for 150 years, this 13th-century castle has been meticulously restored to create one of the most unique “restaurant with rooms” experiences in the world.
I personally like this blend of luxurious Georgian style and ancient history, welcoming as soon as you step in. The dining experience? Definitely next level. Chef Patron Colin Nicholson has created something extraordinary here, using locally sourced and foraged ingredients to showcase Scotland’s culinary masterpieces.
Each suite has its own unique character, with features like exposed stone fireplaces and wood-burning stoves that you’ll find irresistible to curl up beside. The location is breathtaking, with views across to the Isle of Mull and the Hebrides, while sitting on the coastal fringes of the massive Ardnamurchan Estate. It’s truly “in the middle of nowhere” but that’s exactly what makes it so special.
- Read next: Beautiful Castles Around the World
6. Neidpath Castle Cottage
- 📍 Location: Peebles, Scottish Borders
- 💰 Prices From: $550 USD for 3-night stay
- ✨ Top Amenities: Historic 13th-century castle cottage, four-poster bed with designer fabrics, roaring log fire, fully equipped kitchen for 6, private garden overlooking River Tweed, complimentary breakfast hamper, castle tour included with week stays, Highland Soap Company products
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Romantic couples, families seeking adventure, history enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, fishermen, mountain bikers
Neidpath Castle Cottage is where fairy tale dreams meet real life adventure. Right alongside the dramatic medieval Neidpath Castle on the banks of the River Tweed, this historic cottage was once part of the castle’s defenses and later served as the castle kitchens. What makes this place absolutely magical is the central sitting room with soaring windows and open log fire that makes evenings cozier than ever.
The location is phenomenal, just a 10-minute riverside walk to the charming market town of Peebles, where Sir Walter Scott himself proclaimed one of his favorite viewpoints of the Tweed. You’re perfectly positioned for world-class mountain biking at Glentress Forest, salmon fishing right from your doorstep, or exploring the John Buchan Way.
The cottage comes with lovely touches like Highland Soap Company products and a breakfast hamper brimming with local goodies. Stay for a week and you’ll get a complimentary bottle of wine plus a private tour of the castle where Mary Queen of Scots once slept.
7. Fonab Castle Hotel
- 📍 Location: Pitlochry, Scottish Highlands
- 💰 Prices From: $263 USD per nigh
- ✨ Top Amenities: Refurbished 2013 5-star luxury castle, 42 individually designed rooms, Woodland Spa with indoor pool and outdoor hot tubs, two restaurants (Fonab Brasserie and Sandemans Fine Dining), Tower Suite with 7ft bed and vaulted ceiling, loch-side dining pods, Highland views and Loch Faskally waterfront
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Luxury seekers, spa enthusiasts, foodies, romantic couples, Highland explorers, golfers
Imagine yourself soaking in an outdoor hot tub while Highland scenery unfolds before your eyes, steam rising around you as you sip champagne overlooking Loch Faskally. That’s the everyday magic at Fonab Castle Hotel, completely transformed in 2013 into a luxury retreat that somehow manages to honor its heritage while feeling thoroughly contemporary.
The Tower Suite is pure fantasy with its 7ft bed tucked under vaulted ceilings at the castle’s summit, but honestly, every room here tells its own story with individual designs that blend original features with modern touches like Egyptian cotton linens and Nespresso machines.
Just minutes from charming Pitlochry with its festival theatre and whisky distilleries, plus easy access to golf courses and Highland adventures, you get the perfect balance of culture and wilderness. Guests consistently give this place 9.0 out of 10, with many calling it their “favorite place in all of Scotland.”
If you are visiting in summer 2026, you need to book the Lochside Dining Pods at least 2 months in advance. These glass domes sit right on the water’s edge and offer the best sunset views in the Highlands. They are incredibly popular for proposals and anniversary dinners!
8. Cringletie House
- 📍 Location: Peebles, Scottish Borders (35 minutes from Edinburgh)
- 💰 Prices From: $320 USD per night
- ✨ Top Amenities: Historic 350-year-old walled garden • 2 AA Rosette fine dining restaurant with hand-painted ceiling • Log fires in multiple lounges • Highland cattle on grounds • Pet-friendly accommodation
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect For: Romantic couples seeking Scottish castle charm • Luxury travelers wanting award-winning dining • Dog owners (pets stay free) • History enthusiasts drawn to baronial architecture
Built in 1863 by renowned Scottish architect David Bryce, Cringletie House is a hilltop estate that feels wonderfully removed from the world yet sits just 35 minutes from Edinburgh. Each of the 13 rooms has its own personality, from romantic turrets to crackling fireplaces, and the Highland cattle grazing outside your window make for the most Scottish wake-up call imaginable.
Guests are usually smitten with the Sutherland Restaurant’s hand-painted ceiling, which tells the love story of a couple who once called this place home. The daily-changing tasting menu showcases ingredients from their historic walled garden, which has been growing produce since 1666.
Cringletie’s 28-acre grounds invite endless exploration, while nearby Peebles offers charming shops and the famous Tweed Valley for outdoor adventures. It’s luxury without pretension – exactly what a proper Scottish country house should be.
- Read next: Instagrammable Places in the UK
FAQs about the best castle hotels in Scotland
If you don’t count questions about what haggis tastes like or how to drown out the sound of bagpipes, then the most frequently asked questions I get about Scotland are about its castles. Below, you’ll find my answers.
Will I have to pay a Visitor Levy (Tourist Tax) in 2026?
Yes, likely. The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act passed recently, allowing councils to charge a fee on overnight stays. Edinburgh is expected to be the first to implement this (likely around 5%), with Highland areas potentially following suit. When budgeting for your castle stay in 2026, it is smart to factor in an extra 5% on top of the room rate to be safe. This can be a lot of money when you are paying $1k+ per night!
How much does it cost to stay in a castle in Scotland?
Honestly, prices for staying in a castle hotel in Scotland vary a lot depending on the place and the season. I’ve seen basic rooms in classic castle stays start around £150–£250 per night, especially in shoulder seasons. A handful of the more iconic or luxury castles run £400–£800+ per night.
Peak summer, weekends, and holidays will always push prices up. Some ultra-luxury suites with views and full breakfast can even climb past £1,000 a night. My tip? Book early and look for deals in spring or fall. That’s when you get that castle vibe without the full peak price.
What is the best castle hotel in Scotland to take photos of?
If I had to pick one for pure “wow” photos, I’d go with Inverlochy Castle (near Fort William). You get a legit castle facade, mountain backdrops, and manicured grounds that look good in any light.
For the best shots, do golden hour from the front lawn for symmetry, then walk the perimeter for angled corner shots that show the towers. If it’s misty, shoot tighter with the mountains fading out behind the castle. That look screams Scotland.
If you want a close second for drama, Eilean Donan Castle is the most photogenic castle setting in Scotland, but it’s not a hotel. For a hotel with that “on-the-water” vibe, look at Dornoch Castle Hotel for moody courtyard and stone textures.
Can you stay overnight in a Scottish castle?
Yes, you absolutely can stay overnight in a Scottish castle. I’ve done it, and it’s not a gimmick. Scotland has dozens of real, historic castles that operate as hotels. Some are full-blown luxury estates, others are smaller and more intimate. You’re sleeping in stone towers, grand halls, and rooms with serious history.
The big thing to know is that not all castles are equal. Some feel like five-star country houses with turrets. Others lean more old-school and atmospheric. That’s why picking the right one matters. If staying in a castle is a bucket-list trip, Scotland is one of the best places on Earth to do it.
What are the best destinations to overnight in a castle?
If you’re looking to overnight in a castle, Scotland gives you great options across the country. The Scottish Highlands are the most dramatic, with castle hotels surrounded by mountains, lochs, and misty scenery. Near Edinburgh, you’ll find castles that are easy to reach and perfect for adding one unforgettable night to a city trip.
In the north and northeast, castle hotels feel quieter and more traditional, often tied to whisky country or coastal landscapes.There are also solid castle stays in central Scotland, which work well if you’re road-tripping between regions.
What is the most visited castle in Scotland?
The most visited castle in Scotland is Edinburgh Castle. It sits right on Castle Rock in the heart of the capital and pulls in millions of visitors every year.
I’ve been up there multiple times, and the views alone are a big reason people go. You’re looking out over the entire city and beyond. It’s also packed with history, from the Scottish Crown Jewels to the Stone of Destiny. If someone is visiting Scotland for the first time, this is almost always their first castle stop.
How far in advance should I book a room at these Scottish castle hotels?
To secure a room at the top castle hotels in Scotland, book as early as possible. For peak summer and holiday dates, I aim to book 3–6 months ahead because the best rooms go fast. For shoulder seasons (spring and fall), 2–3 months ahead usually works fine.
If you want a specific room type or a big suite with a view, treat it like a top resort and book early too.
Last-minute stays can happen, but your chances of scoring the iconic castle rooms drop fast without early planning.
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
