Whether you’re after traditional or contemporary, here is an ABC of top, privately owned Scottish castles from which to base a tailor-made family Christmas holiday. These fine castles boast outstanding luxury and comfort with all the modern facilities that any luxury bespoke holiday can offer and where guests are looked after by kind and experienced staff to ensure that their every need is catered for.
Ackergill Tower is perched on the northernmost tip of the UK and dates back to 1476. Sleeping up to 34 people in the main tower it offers an utterly magical spot for a large family Christmas. With a plethora of activities to take part in, such as golf at Wick golf course, archery, clay shooting, rifle shooting, falconry, game shooting, stalking and horse riding along the beach there is something to appeal to all the family. The estate boasts its own Opera House which is an ideal place to host a party or ceilidh for the whole family. A spa is also available to ensure that plenty of relaxation takes place. There are many nearby attractions including The Castle of Mey (which belonged to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), John O’Groats (on the north eastern tip of Scotland) and Pulteney Whisky Distillery.
Balfour Castle is on Shapinsay in the Orkney Isles and is an idyllic haven where you can truly escape the world and modern day pressures. This is a spectacular location off the north east coast of the Scottish mainland and is surprisingly easy to reach although you feel as though you are a million miles away from anywhere. Sleeping 18, Balfour Castle is a Victorian castle that has been thoroughly modernised to ensure every comfort in beautiful surroundings. There is a grand drawing room and dining room along with a cosier library and morning room for informal dining. With its own billiard room, golf room and private chapel the castle caters to everyone. Again there is a host of activities that we can arrange for our guests such as walking, trout fishing, tennis, seal watching, sightseeing, paintball, riding, diving, biking, archery, cooking lessons, clay pigeon shooting, boat trips, and bird watching.
Corrour Lodge, Fort William is the modern jewel in our crown and is often described as a 21st Century castle. Designed by acclaimed Boston based architect Moshe Safdie, the lodge sits on the site of two former shooting lodges and has wonderful views over Loch Ossian. The lodge is at the heart of a family owned 60,000 acre estate and is truly a Highland wilderness with an abundance of wildlife and majestic scenery.  Corrour Lodge is a haven of luxury and comfort in the wilds of Scotland. Sleeping up to 30 (with a quirky childrenÂ’s bunkroom sleeping 14), Corrour Lodge offers excellent stalking on the estate as a result of the Deer Management Programme, fishing for brown trout, pony trekking on one of the estate’s 16 Icelandic mountain ponies, mountain biking, hill walking, canoeing, rowing and motor boating. There is also a sauna and gym in which to wind down from the activities of the day.
Christmas in Scotland is unbeatable and enjoying a bespoke family holiday in a privately owned Scottish castle is the ‘icing on the cake’, creating a magical and unforgettable experience.
Andrew Loyd is Founder and Chairman of The Bespoke Travel Club.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Andrew Loyd is the founder of the Bespoke Travel Club which is a consortium of small luxury travel specialists providing a tailored travel service for discerning clients to a wide range of international travel destinations. Whether you are seeking stylish contemporary London boutique hotels, the ultimate ski chalet or rooms in an exclusive Italian Palazzo with personal chef and travel guide, a magical safari, a luxury jet to take friends or family to that special destination, or an exclusive cultural itinerary in Asia or Eastern Europe.
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Balfour Castle is on Shapinsay in the Orkney Isles and is an idyllic haven where you can truly escape the world and modern day pressures. This is a spectacular location off the north east coast of the Scottish mainland and is surprisingly easy to reach although you feel as though you are a million miles away from anywhere. Sleeping 18, Balfour Castle is a Victorian castle that has been thoroughly modernised to ensure every comfort in beautiful surroundings. There is a grand drawing room and dining room along with a cosier library and morning room for informal dining. With its own billiard room, golf room and private chapel the castle caters to everyone. Again there is a host of activities that we can arrange for our guests such as walking, trout fishing, tennis, seal watching, sightseeing, paintball, riding, diving, biking, archery, cooking lessons, clay pigeon shooting, boat trips, and bird watching.
Balfour Castle is on Shapinsay in the Orkney Isles and is an idyllic haven where you can truly escape the world and modern day pressures. This is a spectacular location off the north east coast of the Scottish mainland and is surprisingly easy to reach although you feel as though you are a million miles away from anywhere. Sleeping 18, Balfour Castle is a Victorian castle that has been thoroughly modernised to ensure every comfort in beautiful surroundings. There is a grand drawing room and dining room along with a cosier library and morning room for informal dining. With its own billiard room, golf room and private chapel the castle caters to everyone. Again there is a host of activities that we can arrange for our guests such as walking, trout fishing, tennis, seal watching, sightseeing, paintball, riding, diving, biking, archery, cooking lessons, clay pigeon shooting, boat trips, and bird watching.
Corrour Lodge, Fort William is the modern jewel in our crown and is often described as a 21st Century castle. Designed by acclaimed Boston based architect Moshe Safdie, the lodge sits on the site of two former shooting lodges and has wonderful views over Loch Ossian. The lodge is at the heart of a family owned 60,000 acre estate and is truly a Highland wilderness with an abundance of wildlife and majestic scenery.  Corrour Lodge is a haven of luxury and comfort in the wilds of Scotland. Sleeping up to 30 (with a quirky childrenÂ’s bunkroom sleeping 14), Corrour Lodge offers excellent stalking on the estate as a result of the Deer Management Programme, fishing for brown trout, pony trekking on one of the estate’s 16 Icelandic mountain ponies, mountain biking, hill walking, canoeing, rowing and motor boating. There is also a sauna and gym in which to wind down from the activities of the day.
Christmas in Scotland is unbeatable and enjoying a bespoke family holiday in a privately owned Scottish castle is the ‘icing on the cake’, creating a magical and unforgettable experience.
Andrew Loyd is Founder and Chairman of The Bespoke Travel Club.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
