11 Most Prettiest Castle Hotels in Scotland You’ll Want to Book Right Away

Sleeping in a Scottish castle feels special. It’s more than a hotel. It’s like stepping into the past, but with 5-star comfort, lochs, and mountains right outside your window.

But how do you pick one? It’s hard to tell a cold ruin from a comfortable one. The best prettiest castle hotels in Scotland are often hard to find or seem booked solid.

This guide shows you the 11 best options you can book for 2025. We found proof for why each one is great.

We’re talking royal-approved views, amazing food, and even their own whisky. This list helps you choose the right Scottish castle.

1. Inverlochy Castle Hotel

It is a grand 19th-century baronial mansion located at the foot of Ben Nevis. It truly feels like a royal residence, featuring grand halls, beautiful antique furniture, and truly dramatic Highland scenery.

It’s no surprise that when Queen Victoria visited in 1873, she wrote in her diary she “never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.”

It is the peak of Scottish luxury. The hotel also has a 5-Star Gold rating and 3 AA Rossettes, which confirms its world-class quality.

• Best for: Foodies and royal-level luxury
• Home to the Michelin-starred restaurant, Seasgair.
• Book a “Michel Roux Jr. Event” or a table at Seasgair for 2025.
• Famously approved by Queen Victoria as the “loveliest spot.”
• Holds a 5-Star Gold rating and 3 AA Rosettes for excellence.

2. Glenapp Castle

This castle is a perfect example of Scottish Baronial style and looks like it belongs in a fairytale. It has impressive turrets, is built from sandstone, and sits on 36 acres of stunning gardens that overlook the Irish Sea.

It is a well-known award-winner. It was recognized by Condé Nast Traveller in 2024 and received “One Michelin Key” for its outstanding and unique hotel experience. This is a place for making lifelong memories.

• Best for: Fairytale stays and garden lovers.
• Book one of their “Festive 2025 Breaks,” like the Three-Night New Year Break.
• An award-winning hotel, featured by Condé Nast Traveller in 2024.
• Holds “One Michelin Key” for its exceptional character and service.
• Set within 36 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland overlooking the sea.

3. Dalhousie Castle

It is Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle, located just outside Edinburgh on the banks of the River Esk. It’s a genuine 13th-century fortress, not a 19th-century imitation.

You’ll find imposing stone walls and winding spiral staircases that show its long and complex history.

The “Dungeon Restaurant” is an award-winning and very atmospheric place to eat. It is set in the castle’s old vaults, giving you a real sense of the past.

• Best for: Authentic history and being near Edinburgh.
• A genuine 13th-century fortress, Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle.
• Book the “Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Break” to guarantee a meal in the Dungeon Restaurant.
• Try the on-site falconry experience on the castle grounds.
• The “Dungeon Restaurant” offers a unique, atmospheric dining experience.

4. Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa

This 19th-century red-brick castle sits on the beautiful shores of Loch Faskally. It perfectly merges historic charm with modern 5-star luxury.

The most impressive feature is the stunning, glass-walled modern spa and restaurant extension.

This new wing provides breathtaking views of the loch and surrounding hills. It’s the ideal spot to unwind, making it a truly relaxing place to be.

• Best for: Spa weekends and modern luxury.
• Book a loch-view room in the modern wing for the best of both worlds in 2025.
• The stunning, glass-walled spa is the main attraction.
• A 5-star hotel that successfully blends 19th-century history with modern design.
• Offers beautiful views over Loch Faskally in Perthshire.

5. Mingary Castle

This 13th-century castle is proudly “in the middle of nowhere” on a remote rocky clifftop. It was a complete ruin for over 150 years until a careful restoration between 2014 and 2016 brought it back to life.

Its main draw is exclusivity. There are only four unique, lavish suites inside. These rooms blend the ancient medieval walls with sleek, modern design and comfort.

• Best for: Total privacy and a remote, romantic escape.
• You must book 6-12 months in advance for 2025.
• It is incredibly remote, offering a truly secluded feel.
• There are only four exclusive suites in the entire castle.
• A 13th-century castle meticulously restored from a ruin.

6. Dornoch Castle Hotel

It is a classic 15th-century stone tower located opposite the 12th-century Dornoch Cathedral. It has a wonderfully cozy and authentic feel, especially with its roaring fires in the colder months.

It is famous among whisky fans and was voted the number one Whisky Hotel in the world by whiskybase.com. It even has its own distillery right on-site, making it a true destination for whisky lovers.

• Best for: Whisky lovers and North Coast 500 travelers.
• Book a “Whisky List” tasting session in the bar for 2025.
• You can try incredibly rare and old whiskies from their famous collection.
• Voted the #1 Whisky Hotel in the world by whiskybase.com.
• It has its own on-site distillery (Dornoch Distillery).

7. Kilmartin Castle

This 16th-century castle reopened in 2019 after a unique restoration. The owners wanted it to feel like an authentic castle inside, not a corporate hotel.

It features eclectic art, amazing copper bathtubs, and wood-burning stoves. It is also located in Kilmartin Glen, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe.

The nearby Kilmartin Museum just reopened in 2023 after a major update.

• Best for: History buffs and artsy couples seeking an authentic stay.
• Book this for a non-traditional luxury experience.
• It’s located in Kilmartin Glen, with over 800 ancient monuments to explore.
• The nearby Kilmartin Museum reopened in 2023 after a major update.
• Features unique decor like copper tubs and wood-burning stoves.

8. Glengorm Castle

This dramatic Victorian castle is on the northernmost tip of the Isle of Mull. From its high position, it has fabulous views over the Atlantic Ocean.

It is a B&B-style stay, not a full-service hotel. This makes the experience feel much more personal and quiet. A key feature is the library, which has complimentary whisky for guests to enjoy while looking at the sea.

• Best for: Hikers, photographers, and those wanting dramatic sea views.
• This is a B&B, not a full hotel, offering a more personal experience.
• Book directly and plan for a rugged, romantic stay focused on hiking.
• Features a library with complimentary whisky for guests.
• Located on the northernmost tip of the Isle of Mull.

9. Tulloch Castle

This 12th-century fortress is located in the town of Dingwall, near Inverness. It is full of authentic period features, like a grand oak staircase and massive fireplaces.

The castle is most famous for its resident ghost, the “Green Lady.” People travel from all over hoping for a spooky encounter. It’s also a popular and convenient stop for travelers on the North Coast 500 route.

• Best for: Ghost hunters and North Coast 500 travelers.
• Even if you are not brave enough to stay, you can book the daily ghost tour in 2025.
• The castle is famous for its resident ghost, the “Green Lady.”
• A 12th-century fortress full of authentic period features.

10. Dalmunzie Castle

This stunning Scots Baronial mansion is set on a 6,500-acre estate in the Cairngorms National Park. It has a “homely and cosy” feel, more like a personal laird’s house than a hotel. This area was a favorite of Queen Victoria. It is also located very close to the Glenshee ski resort, making it an ideal base for winter sports or a cozy winter retreat by the fire.

• Best for: A cozy winter trip or a skiing holiday.
• Book this for a winter 2025 trip to be near the Glenshee ski resort.
• It offers a “homely and cosy” feel, like a personal laird’s mansion.
• Set on a massive 6,500-acre estate in the Cairngorms National Park.

11. Barcaldine Castle

It is known as “The Black Castle,” this 1600s tower house is on the shores of Loch Creran, near Oban. It is an atmospheric and intimate B&B stay.

The castle is known for its incredibly thick stone walls and a cozy Great Hall where guests can relax. It is one of the most atmospheric castle B&Bs on the west coast. We recommend you request the “Breadalbane Room.”

• Best for: A quiet, atmospheric B&B stay near Oban.
• Request the “Breadalbane Room” when you book for 2025.
• This room features a huge super-king-size four-poster bed.
• Known as “The Black Castle,” it’s a 1600s tower house.
• It’s one of the most atmospheric castle B&Bs on the west coast.