The rugged, romantic Scottish landscape is a standout feature of The Traitors, filmed at Ardross Castle. The privately owned 19th-century estate, built in the Scottish Baronial style, spans 100 acres of parkland north of Inverness along the River Alness. Its imposing facade, grand staircases and turrets set the show's moody tone. Since the first series aired in 2022, the show has delivered an estimated £21.8 million boost to the Scottish economy, according to the BBC's economic impact report.
Castles and lodges to book now
During each episode, Google searches for “Traitors Castle” and for Edinburgh or Highlands tours surge. The show's global reach has boosted international tourism to Scotland. The new season of The Celebrity Traitors arrives on 1 October. Here are some of the best Scottish hotels to book now, from storied castles to remote hunting lodges and loch-side retreats.
The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire opened in 1924 and has hosted world leaders, Queen Elizabeth II and Justin Bieber. Conceived as the “Riviera in the Highlands”, its famous golf courses opened five years before the hotel. Guests can try falconry, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, cycle or hike scenic trails, ride horses, try off-road driving, or play golf.
Historic stays and rewilding retreats
The Fife Arms in Braemar is a rumoured favourite of King Charles and home to two Picasso paintings, a sketch by Queen Victoria, and the annual Highland Games. The hotel offers tartan-clad walls, tweed curtains, roaring fires and plush patterned sofas. Its drinking holes include an Elsa Schiaparelli-inspired bar, the Flying Stag pub, and Berties Whisky Bar. Ghillie guides know the Cairngorms National Park well.
Wildland's hospitality portfolio includes historic lodges Hope and Gleneshie, loch-side castles including Aldourie Castle, and remote stone cottages. Each design-led project is paired with long-term rewilding and conservation projects. Hope Lodge, a historic hunting lodge turned boutique hotel, sits on the shores of Loch Hope with mountain views and quiet, coastal landscapes.
Dalhousie Castle, just outside Edinburgh, is among Scotland's oldest inhabited castles. The 35-room hotel was the former seat of the Ramsay clan, with stone walls, deep-set windows and turrets now offering contemporary comforts. The main restaurant occupies the castle's historic vaults, and the estate offers falconry, archery and spa facilities.
Country house escapes
Norton House, a classic Scottish country house set behind a stone gatehouse and surrounded by 55 acres of parkland, was built in 1840 for the Usher family of whisky and brewing fame. The Victorian mansion retains original aristocratic character. It is minutes from Edinburgh airport and the city centre. Hand Picked Hotels' amber hours deal includes an autumn Champagne afternoon tea and a complimentary upgrade for a one-night stay, plus a three-course dinner for a two-night retreat.
