Print this page  |  Close Window

By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

There's something magical about a castle that affects virtually everyone. Whether it's an intrigue with the centuries of blood and guts history attached to many castles or perhaps the romance of an age gone by, the attraction is universal. Stories of dastardly deeds, of secret passages and ghosts that walk the corridors by night, have a Harry Potter-like appeal to the kid that lurks inside us all. We want to live out some of those epic movies we have seen and experience what it must have been like to be a medieval nobleman and Lord of the Manor, with legions of horse mounted soldiers at our command.

Dornoch Cathedral: 12th Century

Scotland is filled with such castles and for a nominal entrance fee, many can be visited for a few hours with guided tours and accompanying stories of their colorful pasts. But the richest castle experience can only be found by staying in one for a night or two. Scotland is home to a wide variety of such properties and they are often conveniently located, close to the golf courses you want to play.

There are generally two types of castle hotels -- those operated as regular hotels with rooms rented individually by the night and castles that must be rented in their entirety, where your group will have sole occupancy as the only guests and have the run of the house. These are usually quite luxurious, smaller castles, with only four to eight or so guest bedrooms -- it's these that perhaps offer the best and most personal castle experience of all.

Any Scottish trip, regardless of the number of participants, should consider including a castle stay for at least a couple of nights. If there are 8 or 12 friends, family or even small corporate group traveling together, an exclusive small castle rental becomes too much of a temptation to resist.

Golf International has developed a special expertise in Scotland's castle hotels and these are just a few of those we recommend most highly:

Culzean Castle, gifted to President Eisenhower, enjoys a spectacular sea front location

Culzean Castle, Ayrshire. Enjoying a spectacular location on a cliff-top, overlooking The Irish Sea, the Isle of Arran and situated just a few miles from world-renowned Turnberry and the championship links courses of the Ayrshire coast, Culzean (pronounced Cull-lane) is an 18th century storybook castle with a very close US connection.

The Scottish people donated the top floor to General Dwight D. Eisenhower after World War II, as a token of their appreciation for his role in the victory. Eisenhower visited on four occasions, once as President of the USA when Culzean was used as his Scottish Whitehouse. Ike considered this to be the one place where he could really relax and enjoy his pastimes of painting and playing golf.

Designed by noted Scottish architect, Robert Adam, Culzean is considered one of the finest examples of a Georgian castle in the country and the remarkable Oval Staircase and Circular Saloon, Adam's final masterpiece. Besides Eisenhower memorabilia and fine 18th century furniture, there is an amazing collection of armor and weapons dating from the 17th century.

Despite Culzean's impressive size, it offers just 6 luxury bedrooms, which may be rented individually by the night, including the Eisenhower Suite, occupying the top floor. Culzean is a unique experience and a choice for the discerning traveler.

Myres Castle is only 20 minutes from St. Andrews.

Myres Castle, Fife. The small village of Auchtermuchty and its castle, sit a short 20-minute drive from St. Andrews and the 20 courses located in the immediate vicinity of the home of golf. It's only a few minutes further to reach Carnoustie and the links layouts of the Angus coast. Within an hour you can be on the first tee of Gleneagles' Kings, Queen or PGA Centenary Courses. Myres Castle is very well located for the best courses and sightseeing of southeastern and central Scotland, but don't be surprised if the real highlight of your trip turns out to be the castle itself.

Dating from the 16th century and surrounded by 40 acres of gardens and parkland, Myres Castle is guaranteed to take your breath away as you enter the estate gates and approach this decidedly luxurious charmer. There are 9 guest bedrooms in all, though groups as small as 12 may rent the castle and all it contains for a minimum, two night stay.

The full time staff includes an award-winning chef, who not only prepares an outstanding dinner each evening, which is included in the rental rate, but also offers cooking lessons for guests.

Fenton Tower: 16th Century history, 21st Century luxury.

Fenton Tower, East Lothian. If you are playing Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane or any of the 20 or so courses that call the small county of East Lothian home, Fenton Tower is your castle of choice. Originally built in the mid-16th century, this ancient monument was in virtual ruins when, in 1998, it was acquired by the current owners. Under the close supervision of Historic Scotland, a laboriously caring restoration got underway and four years later, a piece of Scottish history had been resurrected. True to its original design, including the use of only the identical materials used in the 16th century, a great Scottish house has been reborn.

Offering the ultimate in sophistication and luxury, Fenton Tower has emerged as a rare opportunity to experience 16th century Scotland amid 21st century comfort. Available for exclusive rental for 8 to 12 guests, or individually rented rooms on a nightly basis, Fenton Tower is a very special accommodation possibility, all located within minutes of the best golf and Edinburgh only a half hour's drive away.

Culloden House is where Bonnie Prince Charlie's headquarters were located before his defeat in 1746.

Culloden House, Inverness, The Highlands. Although it doesn't really classify as a castle, this elegant, 250 year old country mansion, contains as much history and romance as any fortified castle. Now operating as an excellent hotel, extremely well located for golfers playing Royal Dornoch, Nairn and the other golfing gems of the Highlands, Culloden House is more than deserving of mention.

Requisitioned by Bonnie Prince Charlie as his personal accommodation and battle headquarters, immediately prior to the fateful Battle of Culloden that took place on nearby Culloden Moor on April 16th, 1746, Culloden House has experienced more than its share of history in the making.

A superb example of Georgian architecture, this superior first class hotel epitomizes Highland hospitality in a manner, which is both gracious and friendly. The 28 bedrooms and suites are spacious, airy, beautifully decorated and thoroughly enticing. The restaurant is outstanding and reputed as one of the best in the Highlands. The library bar boasts an impressive collection of fine malt whiskies and the Adams Lounge, the ideal place to relax and contemplate the surrounding history, where Bonnie Prince Charlie also probably took a dram or two before going off to battle. And every summer's evening, a bagpiper serenades guests from the garden -- Culloden House is the perfect Highland hostelry at which to spoil yourself for even only a couple of nights.

If you insist on a real castle, there is a couple in the area at each end of the pricing spectrum.

Skibo Castle was Andrew Carnegie's Scottish home.

Skibo Castle is as extravagant, both in style and price, as Scotland has to offer. This is the castle where Madonna got married a few years back and was the Scottish estate belonging to industrialist Andrew Carnegie, before it was transformed into one of the world's most exclusive private clubs a decade ago. Located just outside the Royal burgh of Dornoch, Skibo Castle also has its own championship golf course, but it's only available to well heeled guests staying in the plush, Skibo Castle accommodations.

Dornoch Castle Hotel sits in the middle of the small town, opposite the 12th century cathedral and 2 minutes from Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Of the 24 guest rooms, only 4 deluxe rooms are located in the original 15th century castle, together with the bar and reception. Most guestrooms are to be found in the rather awkward extension, added in the 1970's. The moderately priced hotel has an excellent restaurant that's well worth trying.

Dornoch Castle sits in the center of the Royal Burgh of Dornoch.

A stay in an ancient castle adds another dimension to any Scottish trip and the temptation to stay in at least one for a couple of nights, shouldn't be resisted. For a few more ideas on the best castle hotel for your trip, check with the castle experts at Golf International or click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.