Situated around eight miles from the shores of Loch Ness, a 300 year-old Baronial castle has been attentively refurbished and reimagined, Aldourie Castle Estate now a premier Scottish retreat offering elegance fused with homelike qualities to its privileged guests.

Spanning 500 acres of natural woodlands and landscaped grounds redesigned by landscape designer Tom Stuart-Smith, Aldourie Castle has origins that trace back to 1626 with notable Gothic enhancements added in the 1860s. The private-hire estate is today home to 12 individually styled suites, each combining historical elegance with contemporary tranquility such as antique furnishings, oriental rugs, and lavish fabrics including Victoriana velvets. Bathed in natural light and woven with natural materials, every room is an embodiment of Scottish country house design.

Guests have the option to book the entire castle, or to stay in one of four additional private-hire cottages dotted around the grounds. Designed by Ruth Kramer, these spaces echo the castle’s Danish influences and Scottish heritage through the use of soft, muted tones and large swathes of decadent luxe.

Additional spaces include the Great Hall, a grand space for gatherings and adorned with the crest of 17th-century French philosopher Michel de Montaigne; the Dining Room featuring sublime produce handpicked from the garden; and the Terrace, a wonderful spot from which to enjoy an idilic lunch overlooking the Loch. Given its location in Loch Ness, guests of Aldourie Castle can make use of the estate’s ornate boathouse as well as private access to the loch. Just be careful of a certain local resident.

Combining delightful interiors, expansive gardens, and exceptional service, Aldourie Castle Estate is a member of The Aficionados, and embodies the very essence of a luxury countryside getaway.

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Aldourie Castle Estate Loch Ness Photography © Chris Horwood.