RENT A CASTLE IN SCOTLAND

At one time, there were up to 3,000 castles in Scotland and amazingly there are still over 1,200 in existence.  Many are ruins but a huge number are still inhabited and some by the original families who built them centuries ago.  Overlooking Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh Castle is probably Scotland’s most famous and important castle.  The different buildings throughout the castle house the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg and there is still a garrison of soldiers stationed within its walls.

Queen Victoria did a lot to revive interest in Scotland’s castles when she purchased Balmoral and after Prince Albert’s death went on to spend a long period of mourning in Deeside.  A lot of other noble families built or purchased local estates and many fine old castles were restored.  This period followed the age of enlightenment when the likes of Robert Adam, Scotland’s most famous architect, built many fine homes for genteel living rather than as a fortification.  His Culzean Castle is a clever mix of the two.  Other wonderful examples of his work like Mellerstain and Gilmerton House in East Lothian, heralded the end of the aristocracy wanting to build traditional castles, until the Victorians, a century later brought the tower house back into vogue, restoring the likes of 16th Century Crathes Castle and 13th Century Fyvie Castle back to their former glory.

The white-washed Blair Castle overlooking the River Garry, is a great example of an ancient Ducal seat belonging to the Dukes of Atholl and also the home of Europe’s last private army, the Atholl Highlanders.  On the west of Scotland, the grand exterior of Inveraray Castle, home of the Dukes of Argyll, works well with its very grand interiors which embody the best of 18th-century neoclassical elegance.  Other Dukes built castles embracing a different style, like Floors Castle, the home of the Duke of Roxburghe which was built by Vanburgh, who is most famous for designing Blenheim Palace, the home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Churchill.

Cawdor Castle is among Scotland’s most romantic castles.  Famous for its fairy-tale exteriors, its dramatic history and stunning gardens which are over 300 years old, this is a wonderful castle to visit when exploring the highlands.  Meanwhile, further to the west, Eilean Donan is probably the most photographed castle in the world, with a perfect setting on an island at the start of Loch Duich.  This castle is full of Jacobite history including a sword used at the battle of Culloden.  In Angus sits the magnificent Glamis Castle, home to the Earls of Strathmore, the childhood home of the late HM The Queen Mother and the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth.  Approached down a long drive way, Glamis has a wonderful baronial splendor and plenty of ghosts!

Castle rental in Scotland has increased in popularity over the last decade or two with the number of Scottish castles for rent increasing to match demand.  Castle owners, both families who have owned them for centuries and new owners, have decided to open their doors to guests who would like to experience staying in grand, historical surroundings and live life in splendor if only for a week or two.  These castle owners have completely modernized and refurbished the castles to the very highest of standards ensuring that guests can enjoy supreme comfort when they rent a Scottish castle. 

At LTR, we only offer the very best Scotland castles for rent and ensure that we meet the needs of our clients with the perfect place to stay for their vacation.  We know each and every castle we work with extremely well and therefore have the confidence to guarantee a stay that meets and hopefully exceeds expectations.  If you are looking to rent a castle in Scotland we have a selection of the very best castles in Scotland, and can ensure we arrange for you to stay in the castle that best matches your vacation requirements.

If you would like to stay in a castle in Scotland, we would be delighted to help you find the perfect castle rental in Scotland so please call or email us.

For those who have a passion for castles and would like to read more about them, why not take a read of our Best castles to visit in Scotland or the Ultimate Guide to Castles? If you would love to visit Scotland and are wondering what there is to see and do, please take a look at some of our blog posts.  It is very difficult to decide when the best time to visit Scotland is, as every season has it’s magic.  There are so many incredible things to see and do in Scotland, but no trip would be complete without visiting a distillery. Here, we run through our favorite 15 whiskey distilleries in all of Scotland. Scotland isn’t only famous for its castles, but also for its golf, fishing and sights.

Every corner of the land is steeped in the past whether it is a battlefield, small island croft, abbey, Scottish castle or tower house that has witnessed the country’s turbulent past.  The people are renowned for being warm and friendly and extremely hospitable.  Luxury travel in Scotland is becoming ever more achievable with owners of Scottish castles and stately homes renovating them to very high standards and opening their doors to guests from across the world.

From the Highlands and Islands to the Lowlands of the Scottish Borders, the country’s landscape is, quite simply, breath taking.  We have a team of destination experts at LTR who will be able to organize everything for you and ensure you see the highlights as well as the off the beaten track and hidden wonders of Scotland.  There is fabulous wildlife to see such as minke wales and basking sharks off the Hebridean Islands, otters and sea lions lazing in the sun, golden eagles soaring over the hills & lochs and deer roaming in the mountains.

A great way to explore the countryside can be on foot, bicycle, horse or taking a boat to visit the western islands.  The Highlands and Islands are an adventure playground to the outdoor lovers among us with a visit to the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye an exhilarating experience.  It is impossible to choose the best time to visit Scotland as the seasons are varied, offering interest and excitement whenever you choose to visit.  The spring is a beautiful time of year to visit Scotland with colorful signs of life, often following a hard winter.  There are some fabulous formal and informal gardens to visit all around Scotland.  Some by the coast are more tropical and other, inland gardens are full of interesting plants and some are formally designed offering something for everyone.

There is more here about what to do in Scotland in April.  By the summer, in August, the hills are covered in a purple blanket of heather which by December is replaced by a blanket of snow.  Throughout Scotland, there are some fabulous walks to be enjoyed for everyone, regardless of ability.

Scotland has many famous rivers, such as the River Tay, the River Tweed, the River Spey and the River Dee, which offer some of the very best salmon fishing in the World.  There are also several highland hill lochs which are perfect for trout fishing and are usually in idyllic spots which are ideal for picnics.   This can be a wonderful day trip to take from whichever private house, stately home or castle you may be staying in.  Other very popular day trips include visits to magnificent gardens of local stately homes and castles, each with their own character and style.

Scotland’s exports such as it’s whiskey, tweed and tartan are well-known worldwide as is the poetry of Robbie Burns and some of the more modern exports such as Ian Rankin’s detective novels.  There are many whiskey distilleries to visit, both large and small and they all welcome visitors with open arms.  Glasgow and Edinburgh have some wonderful museums and art galleries to visit such as Glasgow’s Kelvingrove and Edinburgh’s National Portrait Gallery.  Both cultural cities have lots to offer any visitor such as the designer shops, world class restaurants, Edinburgh Castle, a buzzing nightlife, the annual International Edinburgh Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

At last, Scotland has shaken off it’s reputation for deep-fried food (although you can still find some if you’re keen!) and replaced it with restaurants of international standing such as Paul Kitching’s 21212, Martin Wishart and Tom Kitchin.  Local produce is now used to its full advantage and you will find yourself eating homegrown organic vegetables with beef and venison reared in the fields nearby and fresh seafood caught that day.

Come and experience luxury travel in Scotland and stay in one of the delightful Scottish country houses that LTR offer. A country that has so much to offer from it’s history, culture and landscape to the warmth of the people and the delicious locally sourced food.

If we have never been to Scotland before, how do we know which area of Scotland we would like to stay in?

This is where we can really help and make sure that you have a vacation that surpasses your expectations.  Our travel advisors know Scotland exceptionally well and it is their job to work with you, the client, to ensure that all your likes and dislikes, needs and wishes are taken into consideration so that we can match you with the most appropriate country house or castle in an area that can offer you everything you are looking for.  Choosing the right house in the right area of Scotland can be the make or break of your vacation and we take great care to ensure that we guide you towards the most appropriate ones for you to choose from.

When is the best time to travel to Scotland?

This is a very difficult question to answer!  Having distinct seasons, Scotland can be very different depending on whether you visit in Summer, Winter, Autumn or Spring.  Naturally the usual holiday periods are popular as that is when it is easiest to get away.  Traditionally, summer is when most people visit as the weather is generally warmer and more reliable (not always though!) which makes any outdoor activities more enjoyable.  The days are longer and it is often possible to sit outside in the evenings and enjoy the gentle warmth and watch the sun go down.  However, Christmas is also a popular time for visitors to come and this offers a completely different feel to Scotland.  Sometimes there is snow and it can be very cold indeed with days being much shorter and darkness falling at around 4-5 pm in the evenings.  This offers great opportunities for lighting the big open fires in these wonderful country houses and castles and sit with family and friends enjoying cosy afternoons and evenings relaxing together.  Spring is one of our favorite times of year as the plants, flowers and trees begin to burst open with colourful life after a long and cold winter.  This is often a difficult time for people to get away so generally a quieter time for tourists in Scotland.  Autumn is also beautiful with the leaves on the trees turning to a glorious golden color and the promise of bright crisp and cold days.  Scotland has masses to offer visitors regardless of when in the year you visit.

Can you organize a bespoke trip for us all around Scotland?

We love organizing bespoke itineraries for clients staying in different places.  Depending on the size of your group, we can include a mixture of staying in a private house or castle with staying in boutique hotels and other special places along the way.  We consult very carefully with you, the client, to work out exactly what you are hoping to get out of your vacation and we put together a wonderful itinerary for you.  With our expert knowledge we know the best driving routes, the best places to stop and visit and spend time at and the best restaurants and hotels to eat in.  We also make sure that there aren’t too many or too few activities for you each day and that there is enough time for everything without rushing you off your feet.