As The Celebrity Traitors returns to screens, fans can expect more scheming, shock betrayals and tense round tables. Inspired by the show’s dramatic Ardross Castle setting, Sykes Holiday Cottages has rounded up five atmospheric Scottish stays for viewers keen to channel the Traitors drama on their next getaway.
The round-up also taps into the 'set-jetting' trend, with Sykes’ latest Staycation Index revealing that 67% of UK travellers would consider visiting a destination featured on screen. All five stays are located within National Trust for Scotland castle or estate grounds.
Couples’ hideaways at Culzean Castle and Drum Castle
South Segganwell at Culzean Castle & Country Park in Maybole, South Ayrshire, sleeps two and costs from £561 for seven nights. It sits on the Ayrshire coast within the grounds of grand Culzean Castle, giving couples an atmospheric base for a Traitors-inspired hideaway. After exploring the estate, guests can warm up beside the electric fire before cooking up their own castle feast in the well-equipped kitchen. Just steps from the beach, it is perfect for a sea dip or windswept coastal stroll.
Courtyard Cottage at Drum Castle in Drumoak near Peterculter, Aberdeenshire, sleeps two and costs from £581 for seven nights. It is a cosy apartment set within the historic courtyard of Drum Castle. Steeped in 700 years of history, the cottage offers a warm retreat with a wood-burning stove and views across the grounds from every window - handy for spotting suspicious activity. Guests can wander Drum Castle’s historic hallways before exploring the nearby Old Wood of Drum and Royal Forest, or heading to Banchory for restaurants and boutique shops.
Family-friendly stays in Fife and the Cairngorms
Middle Cottage at Hill of Tarvit Mansion in Cupar, Fife, sleeps four and costs from £631 for seven nights. It is tucked within the grounds of Hill of Tarvit Mansion, one of Scotland’s finest Edwardian mansion houses. The quaint cottage has a smart TV and a dining table, making it well-suited for a viewing party or a board-game-style round table. Surrounded by rolling hills, gardens and woodland, it is also made for autumn walks in Claudia-inspired knitwear.
Macdui at Mar Lodge Estate in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, sleeps four and costs from £633 for seven nights. It is a two-bedroom apartment inside a Victorian sporting lodge in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Its statement dining area is ready-made for a round table of your own, where guests can test their powers of deduction over dinner. For a more energetic day out, Braemar is just a 10-minute drive away, with 24 Munros to discover across the surrounding area.
Fairytale setting at Craigievar Castle
Steading Cottage at Craigievar Castle in Alford, Aberdeenshire, sleeps four and costs from £487 for seven nights. Set on the Craigievar Castle estate, it comes with serious fairytale drama thanks to the famous pink castle said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Inside, there is plenty of space for four guests, including a cosy lounge with an original fireplace - ideal for sharing theories, forming alliances and deciding who definitely looks suspicious. For an off-screen mission, guests can explore nearby Alford, the Bennachie and Coreen hills, or Haughton and Murray country parks.
