Playing For Keeps: The Finest Scottish Castles

Scotland’s hills and glens are home to about 2,000 castles, ranging from romantic ruins to historic family homes that combine formidable fortifications with energy-efficient, strikingly modern conveniences. Our fascination with these fortresses has only been renewed by the hit TV show The Traitors, filmed in Ardross Castle, north of Inverness – the hotly anticipated third series is expected to land in early 2025. And fans of Outlander, the cult 18th-century drama set in the Highlands, see the castles as one of the show’s star attractions.

“The buyer who purchases a castle becomes a custodian of history,” says Jessica Gwyn of Savills Edinburgh office. “These are special properties that are significant to Britain’s heritage. Buyers relish that history, and becoming part of the story.”

Examples currently on the market include Seton Castle in East Lothian, a handsome neoclassical home built by the architect Robert Adam in 1789, using stone from a palace once frequented by Mary, Queen of Scots. Set in 13 acres and a 40-minute drive from Edinburgh, it has 13 bedrooms and has been sensitively refurbished, with a gym, cinema and helipad as well as a wine cellar and a magnificent silk-lined dining room.

Contemporary comforts might not be expected within ancient castle walls, but many of these properties are set up for a 21st-century lifestyle – even those that are listed. “What we’ve seen with planners is an understanding that to keep these properties moving forward in time, you need some allowances to be able to create modern living accommodation,” says Gwyn.

At the 14th-century Fa’side Castle, also in East Lothian, the views across the Firth of Forth are timeless, and surviving features include a spectacular painted ceiling and a solid stone stairwell. Residents can see the dungeon from a glass walkway and are kept warm by a biomass stove.

At Seton Castle, mod cons include a bespoke kitchen and doors leading to the garden. “You can be in and out enjoying everything that Edinburgh has to offer,” says Gwyn, “but also you know you have this magical site where you can shut the gates and be in your own little bubble.”

Many of those looking for a castle prefer to be within an hour of an airport, according to Jamie Macnab of Savills Edinburgh office. He says clients see quality of life and value as two compelling reasons to buy in Scotland and demand remains strong, despite land and buildings transaction tax, the Scottish equivalent of stamp duty. The top rate of 12% is applied to the part of the sale price above a £750,000 threshold, and there’s an additional 6% levy if the property is a second home. But as Macnab points out: “This is just one of the expenses associated with the running of a big house.”

Any responsible castle owner will want to keep their property in fine form. “Being on top of the maintenance will stop significant issues,” says Gwyn. “That means having good stonemasons or landscaping teams – all of those key contacts. Trusted staff members can help, especially if you are not living at the property permanently.”

Anyone interested in restoring a fortress in their own style should consider Newton Castle in Perthshire. Built in the 16th century, it retains its spiral staircase, library and dining room with a flagstone floor, while planning permission is in place to adapt the A-listed property into an events venue with accommodation.

Whether they are restoring a castle or maintaining one, the buyers of these properties “are taking on a job for the nation”, as Gwyn puts it. “Castles are also incredibly enjoyable, magical places to retreat to and enjoy with family or friends. They can be dreamlike.”

Additional reporting by Anne Ashworth