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Best Castle Hotels in Scotland - 2023

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Looking for the best castle stays in Scotland? We have them all listed & reviewed below!

The first castles, as opposed to more rudimentary hill-fort type constructions, started to appear in Scotland in the 1100s, built both by local feudal lords and Norman newcomers.

The Normans had a long presence in Scotland, and were politically very powerful, but they never actually invaded the country. Instead many members of their aristocracy and military were invited there by King David I, a noted ‘Normophile’ and keen modernizer, and their cultural and political presence was quickly felt.

Initially their castles were mainly wooden, motte-and-bailey type structures but, as elsewhere, they became replaced in time with more solid, high stone walled structures.

In later centuries, as Scotland came under English dominance, many castles were built by them and played an important role in the subjugation of rebellions and the defence of territory, including in the Wars of Independence of the 13th and 14th centuries.

In Scotland, just as elsewhere, the importance of defensive castles began to wane in time though, and for much the same reasons.

As the Middle Ages progressed things got more peaceful  – the feudal system gave way to more centralized power structures – internal conflicts and civil wars therefore became fewer.

In the wars that did happen though, mainly intra kingdoms and states, castles were also too often becoming breached by advances in gunpowder technology.

‘Castles’ were still being built but, apart from the likes of the pele watch towers built along the Scottish/English borders, they generally had very little military use. Instead most were designed as aristocratic residential palaces, or previous defensive castles were re-designed as such. These may have retained much castle architecture and castle like features but merely for aesthetic purposes.

In Scotland this included the classic Scots Baronial and Neo-Gothic folly structures that were mainly built in the Georgian and Victorian era and still abound today. The Royal Family’s residence, Balmoral Castle, being probably the most famous, and grand, example.

Our choices for the best castle hotels in Scotland include all the above – medieval defensive castles, Neo-Gothic follies and Georgian/Victorian era palaces, and you can read all about their individual histories on their listing pages.

Most are child/family friendly, many are pet friendly, some have both B&B and self catering accommodation, and a few are 5 Star luxury castles with a whole range of top hotel features like spa facilities, swimming pool, golf course etc.

    • castle-hotels-near-glasgow-scotland

    Glenapp Castle Hotel

    Category: 5 Star Castle Hotels, B&B Castle Hotels, Family Friendly Castle Stays, Michelin Star Restaurants, and Dog/Pet Friendly Castle Stays
    Address: Glenapp Castle Hotel
    Girvan
    South Ayrshire
    KA26 ONZ
    United Kingdom
    Most Famous Guest: Sir Winston Churchill. Glenapp is an extremely charming luxury castle hotel hidden away in the forests of South Ayrshire, near Glasgow, Scotland. It has, since its inception in the year 2000, offered the best in five star luxury with consistently high levels of hospitality and friendly service. Designed by renowned architect David Bryce in the 1860’s, it is to this day one of the finest examples around of the Scottish Baronial style of architecture. It is filled with elegant period features and furnishings, has a world class, Michelin Star winning, restaurant, and with acres of landscaped gardens, sea views and a secluded forest setting it makes for a wonderfully romantic hideaway. ACCOMMODATION: There are seventeen B&B rooms and suites to choose from at Glenapp Castle. Many of them (on the upper floors) have sea views where you can look out upon the famous volcanic rock of Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and Holy Island in the distance, and on clear days it’s even possible to catch a glimpse of the hills of Antrim far across the water in Ireland. These are more expensive, naturally, than the ground floor rooms but you will find all of their rooms super comfortable, spacious READ MORE
                 
   

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