If The Traitors has you dreaming of dramatic castles, wakening up surrounded by 700 years of history and long dining tables, you’re not alone. Luckily, you don’t need to travel to the show’s filming location to get that Traitors feeling as Aberdeenshire has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Scotland (263 of them, to be precise) and yes, you can stay in some of them.
From grand private castles sleeping large groups to historic guesthouses where can spend the night in a turret, there are plenty of ways to create your own castle escape in Aberdeenshire.
Where to stay overnight
Craigston Castle, Turriff
Built in 1604 and home to the Urquhart family ever since, Craigston is available for exclusive hire on a self-catering basis from May to October, sleeping up to 12 guests across six bedrooms with original four-poster beds and period furnishings throughout. This is the one for a proper group escape as the castle is entirely yours.
Lickleyhead Castle, Insch
A 16th-century Grade A listed building available for exclusive use, sleeping up to 22 guests across the main castle and the adjoining Gardener's Cottage. The great hall, games room, music room and dining room are all included - ideal for a group that wants the full castle experience.
Image: Craigston castle
Wardhill Castle, Inverurie
One of the oldest privately owned estates in the North-east, Wardhill is available on a self-catered or catered basis sleeping up to 16 in newly decorated rooms with modern bathrooms. Set in beautiful parkland with scenic woodland walks on the doorstep and lots of activities available to add to your castle retreat.
Leslie Castle, Insch
A family-run guesthouse in one of the last great Baronial Castles built in Aberdeenshire, run by the Baroness of Leslie herself. Rooms are in the castle with turret options available, breakfast includes honey from the castle's own beehives and overnight guests get a complimentary tour by their host. Suitable for individuals, couples and small groups of up to 12.
Image: Wardhill Castle
Drumtochty Castle, Auchenblae
An exclusive-use castle in a 350-acre woodland glen just south of Aberdeen, sleeping up to 110 guests across 11 castle rooms and additional estate accommodation. The award-winning team can arrange everything from hog roasts to clay pigeon shooting, making it ideal for a larger group that wants the full estate experience.
Candacraig, Strathdon
A baronial mansion deep in Strathdon, on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, available as an exclusive retreat for events, celebrations and group stays. Steeped in history and surrounded by wild Cairngorms scenery, it's a genuinely inspiring setting - far enough from the city to feel properly remote, close enough to the Deeside distilleries and castles to fill a long weekend.
Image: Candacraig
Castle day trips
Not every castle experience requires an overnight bag. Aberdeenshire's visitor castles are among the finest in Scotland and several offer experiences that go well beyond a standard tour.
- Fyvie Castle near Turriff is a magnificent five-towered fortress with a remarkable art collection, a great wheel staircase said to be the finest in Scotland and a resident ghost - or five.
- Craigievar Castle is the pink fairy-tale tower rising from the Howe of Alford woodland that is said to have inspired the Disney Cinderella castle.
- Braemar Castle in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park is managed entirely by the local community and offers guided tours of a castle with a genuinely dramatic Jacobite history.
- Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven needs little introduction - the clifftop fortress is one of the most photographed and atmospheric ruins in Scotland.
Plan your own Traitors-style escape
Ready to plan your own castle escape? Round up your most suspicious friends and explore castle stays, historic attractions and things to do across Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeenshire is ready. The only question is: are you faithful or a traitor?
Staying in an Aberdeenshire castle? Share your photos with us using #VisitABDN and #BeautifulABDN.
Subscribe for insider tips
Sign up for travel inspiration, upcoming events, and insider tips from the region’s official tourism organisation.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you stay in a castle in Aberdeenshire?
Several historic castles and castle estates offer overnight accommodation, ranging from exclusive-use properties to guesthouse stays.
- Can you stay at the castle from The Traitors?
No - but you can stay in a castle in Aberdeenshire. Explore our castle stays and experiences to find your own Traitors-style escape
- How many castles are there in Aberdeenshire?
We have 263 castles and ruins to explore across Aberdeenshire.