Filled with deception and drama, BBC One’s The Traitors has the nation gripped. Each series, 22 contestants are brought to a remote Scottish castle to play the ultimate game of trust and treachery.
And while we watch the inevitable fallouts and back-stabbing unfold, there’s one place that bears witness to everything: Ardross Castle. Everywhere from the peacock-blue library and the imposing breakfast room to the Traitors turret and the outdoor fire pit is fitted with cameras.
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However, unfortunately you can’t stay in Ardross Castle itself, so we’ve done the next best thing: we’ve uncloaked some of the most impressive Scottish castles on the market to live out your Traitors dreams (round table not included – thankfully).
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Scottish castles for sale
Ayton Castle, Berwickshire
This 17-bedroom castle is a striking example of the Scots baronial style (the same style used for Ardross Castle), designed by James Gillespie Graham. Graham was widely regarded as Scotland’s leading Gothic revival architect of the 19th century.
Situated near the village of Ayton in the Scottish Borders, the castle features a five-storey Great Tower, a 16th-century dovecote and even a subterranean ice-house, where blocks of ice were stored pre-refrigeration.
Set within 160 acres, there are woodlands, formal terraced gardens and a fountain to enjoy. All that’s missing is your own fire pit to gather round.
Fa’side Castle, East Lothian
If you’re looking for main character energy, then Fa’side Castle has heaps of it. It dates to the 14th century, with flagstone floors and beamed ceilings.
But there are also plenty of secrets to be uncovered, such as multiple stone staircases and the old dungeon. And in the Great Hall, beside the tartan curtain, you’ll find the Laird’s Lug: an original stone WC.
Bogside, Fife
This category B-listed baronial mansion is set within 34 acres, with views across the Ochil Hills. It’s believed to date from around 1864 and was designed by David Bryce.
There are three floors in the main building and a further two in the tower. And with eight bedrooms and four reception rooms, there’s plenty of space for scheming and plotting.
Shuna Island, Arduaine
Not only can you buy a Scottish castle on this estate, but you could also purchase an entire island near Oban. The history of Shuna Island stretches back thousands of years, with Stone Age burial mounds found on the island.
It has historic ties to both Clan Maclean and Clan Campbell. And in 1910, Shuna was bought by New Zealand farmer, soldier and adventurer George (Alexander Maclean) Buckley, who ventured partway to Antarctica with the Nimrod Expedition, led by Ernest Shackleton. He commissioned the castle that can be seen on the island today, now left to the elements.
Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rùm
The Isle of Rùm was purchased as a private sporting estate in the 18th century and Kinloch Castle was completed around 1990 for the Lancastrian industrialist George Bullough. It featured one of Scotland’s earliest private telephone systems, and animals such as hummingbirds, turtles and (reportedly) alligators were introduced to its 18 acres.
Nowadays, the Isle of Rùm is home to an abundance of wildlife including red deer, golden eagles and a globally significant population of Manx shearwaters. Rùm is car-free, and most of it is designated as a National Nature Reserve.
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Ormiston Castle, Kirknewton
Designed in the Scots baronial style, Ormiston Castle dates from 1851. It was designed by David Bryce for Archibald Wilkie of Ormiston. The grounds consists of fields, woodlands and even a waterfall.
While much of the interior has been modernised, you’ll find a traditional Highland-style pub on the lower level – ideal for enjoying a glass of fizzy rosé.
South Tower, Cullen House, Buckie
If an entire castle sounds like too much maintenance, then how about a tower house? South Tower forms part of Cullen House, an example of French-style Scottish architecture. Parts of the A-listed building dates from the 13th to 17th century, and it’s believed that it was once the home of Martha, Countess of Carrick: mother of Robert the Bruce.
In the oldest part of the South Tower you’ll find the Monk’s Passage, which once connected a monastic school to a Roman Catholic church – perfect for scurrying around, lamp in hand.
