Stay in a Scottish Castle with River & Green

For many visitors to Scotland, one dream stands above all others:

Staying in a real Scottish castle.

Scotland is home to hundreds of historic castles, many of which have been carefully restored and transformed into remarkable places to stay. From luxury castle hotels to exclusive private estates, a castle stay allows you to experience Scotland’s history, landscapes and traditions in a truly unforgettable way.

At River & Green, arranging castle stays is one of the most common requests we receive from clients planning a holiday in Scotland.

But what surprises many visitors is just how many different types of castle accommodation exist. Some castles operate as luxury hotels, others can be rented privately for groups, while a few offer very unique experiences connected with Scotland’s traditional country sports.

Choosing the right castle stay depends mainly on three things:

• your group size
• the activities you want to include
• your budget

Below we explain the different options available so you can decide which castle experience is right for your trip.

Types of Castle Stays in Scotland

Castle Hotels

Castle hotels are the most common way to stay in a Scottish castle.

These historic properties combine traditional architecture and atmosphere with the comfort and service of a high-quality hotel. Many offer excellent restaurants, beautiful grounds and luxurious rooms.

For couples or small groups, castle hotels are often the simplest way to enjoy a castle experience while still benefiting from full hotel service.

Prices vary widely depending on the property, ranging from 4-star castles to some of Scotland’s finest five-star castle hotels.

Castle B&B Scotland – A Rare and Authentic Castle Stay

A castle B&B in Scotland is one of the most memorable ways to experience the country’s historic castles.

Unlike castle hotels, a castle bed and breakfast offers a far more intimate atmosphere. Guests stay in just a handful of rooms within the historic building, creating the feeling of staying in a private country house.

There are very few genuine castle B&B experiences in Scotland, and only one that we regularly recommend.

This exceptional castle B&B is located on the spectacular west coast near the harbour town of Oban, the Gateway to the Isles. Surrounded by sea lochs, mountains and dramatic Highland scenery, it offers a truly authentic castle stay.

Availability is extremely limited, so we recommend booking at least nine months in advance, particularly for summer travel dates.

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Castle Apartments in the Scottish Borders

For guests who would love the experience of staying in a castle but may not have the group size required for an exclusive-use property, we can offer a unique alternative.

In the Scottish Borders, around 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Edinburgh, there is a beautiful historic castle that offers a small number of luxury castle apartments within the building itself.

These elegant apartments allow guests to enjoy the grandeur and atmosphere of a Scottish castle while staying in private self-contained accommodation.

The apartments are finished in a classic castle style, combining historic character with modern comfort. Options range from two-bedroom apartments to larger four-bedroom residences, making them ideal for couples, families or small groups travelling together.

The castle is located in the heart of the Scottish Borders shooting country, one of the finest regions in Scotland pheasant, partridge and grouse shooting as well as for salmon fishing on the river Tweed

Castle Sporting Club – A Unique Castle Experience in Royal Deeside

One castle experience offered by River & Green is completely unique in Scotland.

Located in Royal Deeside, the Castle Sporting Club is a private sporting club based in a beautiful Scottish baronial-style castle. The property combines the atmosphere of a traditional private castle with the camaraderie of a classic Highland sporting lodge.

Guests stay in individual rooms within the castle while meals are served in the communal dining room, creating a relaxed and sociable environment where guests can share stories from the day’s sport.

Small Groups and Couples

Couples or small groups can stay in the castle even if there are only two guests travelling, provided the stay is combined with sporting activities on the estate.

These include:

• driven pheasant or partridge shooting (October–January)
• red deer stag stalking (primarily around the rut in early October)

A minimum of two guns is required.

Dining and Evenings

Breakfast is included each morning and dinner is usually served in the communal dining room.

The estate chef prepares generous three-course dinners, while for special occasions we can arrange five-course tasting menus. Evenings often continue in the drawing room where private whisky tastings can be arranged beside the fire.

Prime dates tend to book around a year in advance.

Exclusive Use Castles – The Ultimate Private Castle Experience

For those seeking the most private and luxurious way to stay in a Scottish castle, exclusive-use castles offer an extraordinary experience.

With exclusive use, your group has the entire castle and estate to yourselves. These historic properties typically accommodate 8 to 20 guests, offering the rare opportunity to enjoy life on a private Scottish estate.

Most castles are booked for a full week, allowing guests time to relax and fully enjoy the surroundings.

Having a castle exclusively also allows us to arrange exceptional sporting experiences tailored specifically to your group, including:

• Private driven shooting on nearby estates
• Walked-up shooting for smaller parties
• Red deer stag stalking in the Highlands
• Salmon fishing on private stretches of river
• Professional ghillies and guides dedicated to your party

Beyond the sporting activities, a private castle stay can include a range of memorable experiences such as private whisky tastings, Highland pipers on arrival, traditional Highland Games on the castle lawns, private chefs, and chauffeur-driven transport.

An exclusive castle stay offers the chance to experience Scotland with complete privacy, spectacular surroundings, and access to some of the country’s finest sporting opportunities.

Castle Stays with Hunting, Shooting, Fishing and Golf

While many guests choose a castle stay simply to enjoy the scenery and historic surroundings, River & Green specialises in sporting holidays, and many of our castle stays are combined with Scotland’s traditional country sports.

Guests can experience a range of classic sporting activities across Scotland, including red deer stag stalking, wingshooting, salmon fishing, trout fishing, and world-class golf, all set within some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

Red Deer Stag Stalking

For individual hunters or couples wishing to combine a castle stay with red deer stag stalking, one of the best areas is near Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire.

This region offers beautiful Highland scenery and excellent stalking ground, particularly during the rut in early October, when the stags are most active. Guests can stay in a nearby castle while stalking on surrounding estates, creating a classic Highland sporting experience.

Shooting

Scotland offers outstanding opportunities for both driven and walked-up shooting. Guests may enjoy driven pheasant or partridge days in areas such as the Scottish Borders, or more traditional walked-up shooting on Highland estates.

Walked-up days are particularly suitable for individual hunters or smaller parties, allowing guests to join a day’s shooting without needing to form a full team of guns.

Salmon & Trout Fishing

Castle stays can also be combined with salmon fishing on some of Scotland’s most famous rivers, including the River Tweed, River Tay and River Spey, as well as many other renowned salmon rivers.

Fishing normally takes place on private beats with the support of experienced local ghillies, offering access to beautiful rivers and classic salmon pools. Trout fishing on Highland lochs and rivers can also be arranged.

Golf

Scotland is home to some of the world’s most celebrated golf courses. Guests staying in a castle can play iconic venues such as St Andrews, the Home of Golf, Gleneagles, and Royal Dornoch, along with many other outstanding courses throughout the country.

By combining these activities with carefully selected castle accommodation, guests can experience Scotland in a way that reflects the traditions of Highland sporting estates.

Plan Your Scottish Castle Holiday

If staying in a Scottish castle is part of your dream trip, we would be delighted to help you plan the perfect experience.

Simply tell us:

• your group size
• travel dates
• the activities you are interested in
• a rough idea of budget

…and we will recommend the most suitable castles for your holiday.