Rent castles in Scotland: A closer look at three Scottish castles
September 7, 2011 Leave a comment
The Telegraphs travel reporter, Gabriella Le Breton took a closer look at three castles in Scotland. While they would be hard to maintain and even more expensive to pay for, renting them for a limited time period, for a vacation might be the perfect alternative for anyone who has always wondered what living like a laird felt like.
Mrs Le Breton visited three castles in Scotland to experience the different properties herself and published all her impressions in the article “Scotland castles: Living the life of a laird”. The fortresses of her choice where the Aldourie Castle at Loch Ness, the Ackergill Tower near Wick and the Courrour Lodge near Fort William.
She gives great advice including pricing, activities and how to get there the best, including airports, car rentals and train routes. Aldourie Castle, the beautiful estate at the famous Loch Ness offers evening tours on the Loch where the upcoming stars are mirrored in the slightly riffled water surface. There are up to 28 beds available, while prices based on 20 guests with staff and all meals and alcohol included range around £2,100 per person per week.
The Ackergill Tower near Wick offers enchanting evenings on the beach. While the bonfire is crackling and offers comforting warmth, the ears of the guests are pleased with some traditional Scottish bag pipe music. During the day, the festive calories can be worked off by renting a kayak. With 48 beds available, the costs of the Tower based on 16 guests are set from £3,780 per person per week and include staff and meals.
The Courror Lodge near Fort William is also offering some great activities for its guests, including long bike tours. With rooms for up to 30 guests, one has to consider paying £2,143 per person per week including staff, meals and alcohol (based on 14 guests).
A great alternative are the cottages which are less pricey. While the guests have to care for themselves, they are nonetheless very well equipped.
The director of LTR, a rental company for castles, mansions and country houses in the UK, Ireland and Europe, Andrew Loyd states about staying in a castle in Scotland: “Spending time in these properties brings all the indulgence of living like a laird without having to face the reality of fixing the 100-year-old plumbing or overseeing the wellbeing of your guests.”
photo: flickr/conner395
