Scotland’s ‘prettiest castles’ to stay in — including one with ‘Outlander vibes’

A new list of “eight of the best castles in Scotland” has been revealed, and some of them you can even spend the night in.

With summer finally here, Scots up and down the country will be deciding how to make the most of their holidays. There is no shortage of luxury hotels and cosy inns to spend a night or two in, but if you are after something a bit different then you can head to one of Scotland’s many breathtaking castles.

Earlier this week, travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller shared its top eight picks for the “prettiest fortresses in all the land”. Ranging from five-star hotels to entire castles that you can rent out, the roundup includes options to suit every taste.

One of the castles singled out by Condé Nast Traveller is Mingary Castle, just outside of the small village of Kilchoan in Lochaber. Dating back to the 13th century, the castle is home to both a luxury restaurant and a number of opulent bedroom suites.

The travel website praised Mingary Castle for its “serious Outlander vibes” and for having “possibly one of the best views of any castle in Scotland”. It also singled out the restaurant’s seasonal menu, which includes dishes such as hand dived scallop with Scottish asparagus and rump of hogget with braised leg tartlet and sweetbread.

Meanwhile, the castle’s suites include exposed stone fireplaces, king-sized antique four poster beds, and handmade curtains. One of them is even dog-friendly, so your four-legged friend can spend a night in luxury as well.

Elsewhere, another castle included on Condé Nast Traveller’s roundup is 16th-century Brodie Castle. Situated just over three miles out of Forres in Moray, the Category A listed building is managed by the National Trust for Scotland.

According to the travel magazine, Brodie Castle’s Laird’s Wing offers accommodation for as many as 14 guests within its seven bedrooms. Set over three floors, the self-catering wing is home to a wealth of fine art and antique furniture that will transport you hundreds of years back in time.

Another castle retreat praised by Condé Nast Traveller is Wormistoune House and Gardens, which sits close to the royal burgh of Crail on the edge of the East Neuk of Fife. While the main house is not available to stay in, as it is a family home, the estate includes an opulent coach house that can accommodate up to 10 people.

Condé Nast Traveller commented: “Here, guest accommodation is in the coach house, with four bedrooms, a firelit dining hall and a kitchen that leads one way up to a snug via a spiral staircase and the other way onto a smart patio in one corner of the immaculate walled gardens. Don’t skip a swim in the bracing north sea, a walk along the coast to Cambo’s gardens and lunch at the lobster shack at Crail.”

The full list of “eight of the best castles in Scotland” can be found on the Condé Nast Traveller website.

Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – sign up to the Scotland Now newsletter here.