Whilst medieval and romantically ruined castles might be firmly on the radar for many visitors to Scotland, there are a good number of castles that are now used as hotels, where you can enjoy luxurious accommodation in stunning surroundings.

Experience three of these castle hotels with our Luxury Castles of Scotland by Rail holiday. Alternatively, we can tailor any Scotland rail holiday to include a stay in one or more castle hotels. Just plot your route and let us do the rest!

Scotland’s Top 10 Castle Hotels

Glenapp Castle

Situated on the beautiful, windswept Ayrshire coast, the fairytale Glenapp Castle was constructed in the 1860s in the Scots Baronial style and is splendidly set in grand gardens, including a stunning Italian Garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll. 

These days, Glenapp is more of a country manor house than a castle, boasting a croquet lawn, falconry displays and an all-weather tennis court.  The delectable afternoon tea is not to be missed, as is the exquisite dining beneath gleaming chandeliers.

Nearest station: Ayr 60 minutes or Girvan 25 minutes by road

Inverlochy Castle Hotel

With a spectacular backdrop of Ben Nevis, and lush forest reflected in the surface of the loch, it’s no surprise that Queen Victoria remarked that she “never saw a lovelier or romantic spot” than Inverlochy Castle.

A true masterpiece of Scots Victorian baronial architecture inside and out, the building opened as a hotel in 1969 and now benefits from opulent interiors, romantic turrets and spacious bedrooms and suites. Culinary delights are provided in the Albert and Michel Roux Jr restaurant.

Nearest station: Fort William or Spean Bridge, both 10 minutes by road

Mingary Castle

With just four beautifully-appointed suites, Mingary Castle opened as a hotel as recently as 2016, overlooking the Sound of Mull, and previously home to the Maclain clan for more than three centuries.

Transforming it from all but an abandoned ruin, the delicate restoration project began in 2014 and has resulted in one of the most unique hotel experiences in Scotland, if not all of Europe.

Nearest station: Lochailort 95 minutes by road

Atholl Palace Hotel

Occupying a splendid location overlooking forested parkland grounds, Atholl Palace Hotel and estate has been welcoming visitors for over a hundred years.  The property initially opened its doors during the 19th century as Athole Hydropathic, and the present-day hotel preserves many features of a traditional Scottish country home. 

Guests can relax in the roomy lounges next to a log fire or unwind in the bar, known as Stag’s Head, with its spectacular mountain views. The hotel also benefits from excellent rail access, with Pitlochry station on the Highland Line situated only a mile from the hotel.

Nearest station: Pitlochry 5 minutes by road

Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa

Overlooking Loch Faskally, the magnificent Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa was constructed in the Scots Baronial style in the late 19th century, and opened as Pitlochry’s only 5-star hotel in 2013.  Consisting of 42 beautifully-appointed rooms and suites, the hotel and its elegant annex are set in woodland with stunning views over the surrounding mountains. 

The spa benefits from four treatment rooms and offers a sauna, a spa tub and a steam room. The two dining options – Fonab Brasserie and Sandemans Fine Dining – offer unparalleled levels of service and delectation.

Nearest station: Pitlochry 5 minutes by road

Aldourie Castle Estate

The only habitable castle on the shores of Loch Ness, Aldourie Castle is an exclusive 5-star property that is available to hire for a day, a week or even longer. 

This fairytale castle offers 13 luxury bedrooms, a beautifully-furnished drawing room and a sophisticated dining room, along with 500-acre grounds of woodland, parkland and formal gardens waiting to be explored.

Nearest station: Inverness 25 minutes by road

Glengorm Castle

Located near Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Glengorm Castle is a 19th-century country house that is a Category B listed building.  The castle was completed in 1860 and provides 6 uniquely-designed rooms as well as a hearty full Scottish breakfast to start the day. 

Set alongside the sea in Mull, the views across the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly at sunset, are a sight to behold, and on a clear day one can even make out the coastline of the Outer Hebrides.

Nearest station: Oban 120 minutes by road, including ferry crossing

Kilmartin Castle

Dating back to the 16th century, this elegantly-restored Scottish Castle is located in the unspoilt Argyll coast in the west of Scotland, at the top of the ancient Kilmartin Glen. The castle was lovingly restored as a hotel as recently as 2019 by Stef Burgon and Simon Hunt, two travellers who embarked on a project to provide top-quality accommodation that truly “felt like a castle” inside.

All bedrooms have private bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and some rooms even have copper baths and others a private wood-burner.

Nearest station: Oban 45 minutes by road

Dornoch Castle

A family-run hotel with 24 rooms, Dornoch Castle Hotel lies approximately 40 miles north of Inverness in the far north of Scotland.  The castle was constructed around 1500 and was the seat of the bishops of Caithness, eventually opening as a hotel in 1947. 

The hotel restaurant offers al fresco dining in the walled garden during the summer months. The selection of whiskies is second to none and can be enjoyed in the homely whisky bar against the backdrop of a roaring log fire, offering welcome protection from the often wild weather.

Nearest station: Tain 15 minutes by road

Stonefield Castle

In use as a hotel since 1950, Stonefield Castle boasts a stunning location on the shoreline of the Kintyre peninsula.  Whilst it is relatively isolated in the west of Scotland, visitors are rewarded for their efforts in reaching the castle with a fine example of Scottish baronial architecture with panoramic views over Loch Fyne. 

A good number of the original furnishings have been kept, and contribute to the traditional sophistication of the wood panelled lounges and fine corniced ceilings.  Guests can relax on gentle strolls through the 60-acre forested grounds, or indulge in a fine local single malt whisky in the cosy bar.

Nearest station: Oban 75 minutes by road

Book any of these hotels as part of a tailor made rail holiday around Scotland and the British Isles.