The Traitors is back on our screens on 8th October at 9 pm on BBC One for its very first celebrity special. Nineteen famous contestants will scheme their way through The Traitor's savage but entertaining challenges to win the £100,000 prize, which will go to a charity of their choice.
Though we don't know what to expect for the series (aside from lots of drama!), one thing we do know is where it will take place. The Traitors is filmed in a 19th-century castle located in the remote Scottish Highlands – its gothic architecture making it the ideal, dramatic setting for the show.
If The Traitors' castle takes your breath away, you’ll love exploring these six other Scottish castles, which you can stay in.
Spend a night in one of these incredible Scottish Castles and enjoy the ultimate Traitors experience. With Halloween just around the corner, there's no better time to book.
Crossbasket Castle
Crossbasket Castle is located in High Blantyre, less than 10 miles from Glasgow. The oldest parts date back to the 1400s, and it was once home to Charles Macintosh, the famous inventor of waterproof fabric.
The Castle has undergone a £20 million expansion this year. It now features a new five-star hotel with 40 deluxe rooms furnished with bespoke soft furnishings.
The estate also includes two fantastic restaurants. Foveran’s is a palm court-style restaurant, perfect for casual dining. Trocadero’s is run by Michel Roux, the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef and perfectly captures the feel of a 1920s speakeasy, with a roaring 20s, Art Deco aesthetic and incredible live music and performers.
Duns Castle
Duns Castle is located in the Scottish Borders (an hour south-east of Edinburgh). It dates all the way back to 1320, when the legendary king Robert the Bruce granted the land to the Earl of Moray, his nephew.
It is now a spectacular example of Gothic Revival architecture, having been renovated in 1818-1822 by the famous Scottish architect James Gillespie Graham.
The castle is surrounded by a magnificent 1,200 acres of grounds. It features manicured lawns, forest, and even a picturesque lake – the Hen Poo.
Guests can enjoy a range of outdoor activities within the grounds, including clay pigeon shooting, falconry, archery and croquet. You can also explore the historic country town of Duns, which is roughly a mile from the castle.
Sherbrooke Castle Hotel
Just over three miles from Glasgow's city centre, in the neighbourhood of Pollokshields, is the striking Sherbrooke Castle Hotel.
The hotel offers a luxurious stay with 18 beautifully decorated bedrooms and a range of different suites. The hotel also features a bar and restaurant, serving dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, along with traditional afternoon tea.
The castle was built in 1896 by a contractor called John Morrison as his own personal residence. Later, it was used as a radar training centre for naval officers during the Second World War. It has operated as a hotel since the end of the war and continues to host visitors 80 years later.
Dornoch Castle Hotel
Like the real Traitors Castle, Dornoch Castle Hotel is located in the Scottish Highlands, 40 miles north of Inverness. It's thought to be constructed where Saint Gilbert of Dornoch's Bishop's Palace originally was.
Dornoch Castle is the perfect location for a trip away over Halloween, as it is said to be haunted by a sheep-stealing ghost called Andrew McCornish. It also has a violent history, with the town of Dornoch being sacked in 1570 during Scottish clan warfare. Both the castle and cathedral were besieged, and Saint Gilbert's grave was desecrated, leading to the legend that St Gilbert curses the castle.
And that isn't the only ominous part of the castle's past. From 1812, Dornoch Castle was turned into a courtroom and jail, with prisoners being held in both cramped dungeons and large prison rooms.
Dornoch Castle Hotel also features an award-winning on-site distillery, where an exquisite selection of whiskies and gin is made. Plus, the hotel has a 15th-century vault where guests can have whisky tastings or dine.
Culzean Castle
Culzean Castle sits within a vast 260-hectare country park. It features a walled garden, woodlands, a swan pond, a deer park, and even an ancient ice house from the late 18th century. With two children’s play areas, the Adventure Cove and Wild Woodland parks, it’s a great choice for families.
With breathtaking rugged clifftops and miles of sandy and rocky beaches to explore, Culzean Castle is the perfect rural retreat for those who want to unwind in nature. Intrepid adventurers can tackle the 100-mile Ayrshire Coastal Path walk, but if you're seeking a more relaxing experience, you can visit the charming seaside town of Ayr.
Torrisdale Castle Estate
Situated on the east coast of the Kintyre Peninsula, Torrisdale Castle dates back to 1815, when it was designed by prominent architect James Gillespie Graham in the Scottish baronial style.
Before offering accommodation, the castle was once used for agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Today, it continues to welcome guests, and visitors can choose between the self-catering apartment, which was the old servants' quarters and is on the castle's ground floor, or one of the premium glamping bothies, which enjoy incredible views of the Kilbrannan Sound.
Torrisdale Castle Estate boasts a huge range of on-site activities. Take a 1-mile Bicentennial walk around the estate, established to celebrate the castle’s 200th anniversary. You can also enjoy gin tours and gin-blending courses in the estate’s distillery, afternoon tea in its charming café, and sound baths and yoga classes in the 10 m geodome. The estate is also near two beaches where guests can swim or enjoy their favourite water sports.
Get to know The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman
The Traitors wouldn't be the same without its beloved host, Claudia Winkleman!
From being a Cambridge graduate to fake tanning with gravy granules, discover 10 facts about The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman.
