Eight luxury accommodation options across Scotland have been named the country's "best luxury hotels" by travel experts, including a historic castle on the shores of Loch Ness described as a "crown jewel."
Aldourie Castle: A Crown Jewel on Loch Ness
On Wednesday, August 19, Sphere published a list of top luxury hotels in Scotland, based on factors such as scenery and food and drink. Among the featured destinations is Aldourie Castle, situated between the southern banks of Loch Ness and the glen leading onto Drumashie Moor.
Aldourie Castle is an A-listed building and the only habitable castle along the shore of Loch Ness. Dating back to the 17th century, it is set within a 500-acre estate. The castle is privately owned and can only be rented for exclusive use.
The property sleeps up to 24 people, or as many as 50 including the cottages on the estate. The castle itself has 12 luxurious bedrooms, along with opulent reception rooms such as the library, the red drawing room, and the billiard room.
Exclusive Features and Grounds
Bedrooms at Aldourie Castle include four-poster beds, en-suite marble shower rooms, dressing rooms, and dual-aspect views. The castle is fully staffed, with housekeeping and meals prepared by an in-house team of chefs. Guests have exclusive use of the grounds, which include a wellness space, areas for dining and whisky tasting, a boathouse, a glasshouse, and a 'sauna yurt' hidden within a woodland.
Sphere wrote: "Available only for exclusive hire, Aldourie Castle is the crown jewel in Wildland’s rural empire. The Baronial beauty with its turreted terracotta exterior sits where the foothills of the rugged slopes of The Great Glen meet the shores of the fabled Loch Ness."
"Home to twelve stylishly designed rooms inspired by a blend of Danish and Scottish aesthetics, each complete with medallion rugs, brass bed frames and mid-century lamps, it’s ideal for a luxurious group stay."
Other Top Hotels: Lundies House
Another accommodation on Sphere's list is Lundies House in Tongue in the Northern Highlands. The small Sutherland hotel is located along the North Coast 500 and is a restored 19th-century manse with meticulously decorated en-suite bedrooms. Sphere praised its cosy communal spaces, including log-burners and comfortable furniture, as well as its unique dining service where guests provide preferences ahead of time for a tailored menu.
Sphere wrote: "Formerly a clergy house named for the Reverend Lundie, Lundies House in the tiny Tongue village is as quaint as it is charming. Sleeping just 16 guests, the Scandinavian influence is clear in the décor—a muted palette, sheepskin rugs and abstract art from artists such as Trine Søndergaard and Peter Blonde."
For the full list of the best luxury hotels in Scotland, see the Sphere website.
