Celebrity Traitors returns to the BBC on 1 October 2026, bringing its cloaks, round-table confrontations and imposing Highland setting back to television. Although viewers cannot book a bedroom at the programme’s Ardross Castle filming location, several grand Scottish estates offer a similar atmosphere for private group stays.
The selection includes three castles and a historic country house in Scotland, plus a converted Cumbrian chapel with its own round table. Capacities range from 13 to 55 guests, with private chefs, formal dining rooms, crypt spas and Highland activities available across the properties.
All prices are indicative starting rates supplied in September 2026. Availability and final costs can vary according to dates, group size, catering and any additional cottages or services.
Why you cannot stay overnight at Ardross Castle
Ardross Castle, around 30 miles north of Inverness near Alness, is the 19th-century Scottish Baronial estate used for the UK and US versions of The Traitors. Its formally arranged gardens and parkland extending over more than 100 acres beside the River Alness provide the programme’s secluded setting.
The castle is not a hotel and does not rent individual bedrooms. Exclusive use is available for weddings and other private or corporate events, but visitors cannot simply reserve a weekend stay in the building seen on screen.
Its role in the programme has still affected tourism around the Highlands. The owners reported a surge in wedding enquiries after the series aired, alongside extra business for local accommodation providers and other services.
For travellers hoping to gather friends beneath castle turrets and dine in period rooms, these five bookable alternatives come closest.
1. Dalnaglar Castle, Cairngorms National Park
Set in Glenshee on the southern edge of Cairngorms National Park, Dalnaglar Castle is an exclusive-use Highland retreat designed for a polished, fully catered gathering. The castle sleeps 18 people across nine bedrooms, while four estate cottages raise the total capacity to 38.
Inside, the open-fire drawing room creates a comfortable setting for plotting before dinner, while the formal dining room suits a grand evening meal. Private chefs and experienced staff can be arranged through the Dalnaglar Estate, with itineraries tailored to the group rather than delivered as a fixed hotel programme.
Walking and cycling are possible across the 200-acre private estate, which also offers activities such as salmon fishing, deer stalking, duck shooting and pheasant shooting. Beyond the grounds, guests are within reach of Braemar and Pitlochry, as well as the Cateran Trail and skiing at Glenshee.
Hot tubs are found at the estate cottages rather than the main castle. Dogs are accepted in the cottages under specified conditions, so guests travelling with pets should confirm the arrangements before reserving the wider estate.
Sleeps: 18 in the castle or 38 across the estate
Price: From £4,000 per night for the castle
Best for: A staffed Highland house party with private dining
2. Achnagairn Castle, Inverness-shire
Located near Beauly in the Scottish Highlands, Achnagairn Castle is the largest castle in this selection, sleeping up to 55 guests in 24 individually designed bedrooms. It sits within 30 acres of gardens and woodland, giving a large party ample room without losing the privacy of an exclusive-use stay.
The ballroom is the castle’s defining social space, suited to formal dinners and late-night dancing. A cinema room offers a quieter alternative, while the drawing room, reception hall and dedicated dining room allow different parts of the group to spread out during the day.
Bedrooms range from doubles and twins to a family room, with some featuring whirlpool or freestanding baths. Four further bedrooms are located in the Courtyard Wing, and the accommodation includes a mixture of en-suite and shared bathrooms.
Archery and Highland Games can be organised on site, while whisky tastings and helicopter rides are also available by arrangement. The location works well for trips to Loch Ness, Glen Affric, Urquhart Castle and the Caledonian Canal, with championship golf courses also within driving distance.
Dogs are accepted on request rather than as standard. Given the castle’s scale and configurable accommodation, guests should check which rooms and services are included in their quoted rate.
Sleeps: Up to 55
Price: From £6,500 per night
Best for: Large celebrations requiring a ballroom and extensive grounds
3. Duns Castle, Scottish Borders
Dating from 1320, Duns Castle in Berwickshire offers the strongest historical character of these bookable Scottish properties. The family-owned castle stands within a 1,200-acre estate around an hour from Edinburgh, and has served as a family home for approximately 300 years.
The main castle sleeps 23 guests in 12 bedrooms, including four-poster rooms, doubles, twins and a single. Exclusive hire provides access to its public rooms, billiard room and formal dining room, giving guests the feel of a traditional country-house stay.
Outside, lakes and woodland trails run through the estate. Its nature reserve is operated in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, offering a peaceful contrast to the more theatrical interiors.
Groups can arrange archery, clay-pigeon shooting, falconry, 4×4 driving and mini-Highland Games. Nature tours provide a gentler option for guests who would rather explore the estate than compete with one another.
The castle accommodates 23, but seven estate cottages can increase the total capacity to 58 guests across 30 bedrooms. Cottages and castle accommodation can be booked separately or combined, although the advertised weekly cottage prices are distinct from the exclusive castle rate. Pets are not accepted in the castle because working dogs live on the estate.
Sleeps: 23 in the castle or up to 58 across the estate
Price: From £2,625 per night for the castle
Best for: Historic atmosphere, outdoor activities and a large multi-house group
4. Bolfracks House and Gardens, Perthshire
Two miles west of Aberfeldy overlooking the River Tay, Bolfracks House and Gardens is a historic country house rather than a castle. Its seven bedrooms sleep up to 13 guests, making it a more intimate option for families or close groups seeking period interiors without hiring a vast estate.
The house combines wood-panelled rooms and antique furniture with several sociable spaces. Guests can move between the whisky lounge, games room, TV room and formal sitting rooms, while ornate fireplaces retain the atmosphere of a traditional Perthshire residence. Meals can be self-catered or prepared by a private chef.
Its 40-acre estate is the principal attraction outside the house. The gardens contain rhododendrons, azaleas, old-fashioned roses and herbaceous perennials, while a private tennis court offers a more active diversion. The location on the road towards Kenmore and Loch Tay also makes the house a practical base for exploring Highland Perthshire.
Bolfracks is available throughout the year for holidays and private occasions. Pets are not permitted, and the staircases leading to the bedrooms may make the property unsuitable for some guests with limited mobility.
Sleeps: Up to 13
Price: From £2,200 for a weekend
Best for: A smaller group wanting gardens, period rooms and a private tennis court
5. All Saints Manor, Cumbria
Outside Scotland in Cockermouth, All Saints Manor is a converted chapel with the most direct visual reference to The Traitors. Its circular dining table provides a setting for group dinners, although cloaks remain optional.
The former chapel sleeps 20 guests across seven bedrooms, five of which are on the ground floor. Traditional beams and original stone walls preserve the building’s earlier identity, while the large open-plan living area gives the entire group somewhere to gather. William Wordsworth is said to have attended school in the building.
Down in the crypt, an eight-person hot tub and sauna turn the chapel’s lower level into an unusual private spa. An in-house bar, pool table, games arcade and enclosed garden provide further shared spaces, while catering can be arranged for guests who do not want to use the fully equipped kitchen.
Cockermouth is a useful base for the western Lake District and Solway Coast, with walking and cycling available around the Lorton Valley. The property has a two-night minimum stay, does not accept pets and lists a £1,000 booking deposit.
Sleeps: Up to 20
Price: From £963 per night
Best for: The closest thing to a private round-table weekend
Choosing the right Traitors-inspired stay
Dalnaglar Castle offers the most refined staffed escape, while Achnagairn has the capacity and ballroom for a major gathering. Duns Castle suits groups drawn to deep history and estate activities, and Bolfracks House provides a quieter alternative for 13 guests.
All Saints Manor is the wildcard for travellers more interested in the round-table experience than a Scottish address. Whichever property suits the group, current rates and inclusions should be confirmed before booking, especially where catering, activities or extra cottages are required.
