Fairytale castles and historic country house hotels in Scotland

Surrounded by mountainous vistas and dramatic coastlines, these spectacular Scottish locations are a haven for wildlife and perfect for walkers and hikers and combine their sometimes eccentric and sometimes lavish style with superb food sourced from the surrounding area.

There must have been a moment in time when Scotland had an army of barons for the number of mansions they appear to have acquired over the years, many of which enjoy historic design features such as turrets and crow-stepped gables which give a real sense of being in a fairytale castle.

Scotland’s country house hotels are of a uniquely different style to those common in England. Where England has a number of refined, Georgian country house estates, Scotland’s idea of aristocracy has a rather more dramatic impact, in many cases the age of the buildings really is breathtaking.

Prestonfield in Edinburgh gives another aspect entirely. Next to Royal Holyrood Park, this city based hotel has been described enticingly as ‘an orgy for the senses.’