Aldourie Castle is something truly unique. This beautiful and historic five-star, exclusive hire property, is a must visit. Located on the southern shores of Lough Ness in the stunning Scottish Highlands the Castle is only five miles from Inverness and a mere thirty minutes from Inverness airport which has direct flights to London, Dublin, Manchester, Amsterdam, Birmingham, Bristol, and Belfast. It is a luxury property perfect for those groups wanting splendor and privacy near to award-winning golf courses such as Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch, and Nairn Golf Club. First recorded as a laird’s house in 1626, this Scottish Baronial Castle is now the only one of its kind that retains the ability to house guests.
Aldourie provides sole private use of the property including dinner, bed, and breakfast for groups of between eight and twelve golfers. The Castle has thirteen luxury bedrooms ranging from cozy single bedrooms to grand four-poster doubles each with a beautiful individual charm. Each bedroom is named in keeping to its character or location within the Castle, with all of the bedrooms located on the upper floors. Aldourie has been lovingly refurbished to not only maintain its historic features but also to remind guests at every turn that you are in a beautiful piece of Scottish history. Although the owners have done a great job in maintaining the original features, not everything has a classic feel with some designs having an incredible degree of eccentricity. There is a theatrical Nymph Bathroom for example with hand-painted murals as well as a busy penthouse Wildlife Bathroom. Many bathrooms also have quirky shower cubicles created out of the castle turrets.
Although it is clear that you are in a castle with the scale and opulence surrounding you, it still retains an intimate feeling with warmth in both the décor and traditional furnishings. There are vibrant colors and luxurious fabrics, exuberant Chaise longues, cozy armchairs, and roaring fires, all of which ensure you will feel right at home.
There are so many rooms to enjoy within the Castle it is a good job that you have the entire place to yourselves! The Main Hall of the Castle is the body of the building and in the summertime natural daylight floods this space making it a perfect spot to enjoy an Afternoon Tea or a pre-dinner drink. The deep ruby-red Drawing Room is the ideal space for socializing; its size allows for drinks receptions or as space to relax and take in the surroundings.
The Dining Room is a sophisticated space with a beautiful table as its focal point that can be dressed formally or informally whichever you prefer. The decor is extravagant. Green walls lined with gold leaf, punctuated with hanging portraits and two large windows overlooking the expansive Castle grounds provide an air of opulence. The Laird’s Room has an earthy feel to it with wood paneling throughout. This room is perfect for breakfast; an a roaring fire greets guests no matter what the time of the year. There is also a terrace for drinks or lazy lunches with breathtaking views over the Highland Hills and Loch Ness, and in evenings the Castle Library is a favorite with an enchanting and peaceful ambiance with a whiskey or two later in the Billiard Room.
A house manager and hospitality team are always on hand to attend to guests’ requirements throughout their stay giving you that home away from home feeling and allowing you to relax and enjoy the unique charm of Aldourie. One of the unique experiences that can be undertaken at Aldourie is to work and dine with a Michelin trained chef who can help create your evening meal in a traditional Scottish style. The location of the Castle ensures that the ingredients used, are of the very highest quality; from game and fish to artisan cheeses and, of course, some of the finest whiskey in the world. , and then everything will be fully catered for you by the staff.
Outdoor activities form a large part of life in the Scottish Highlands, and the Aldourie team can help to organize events that can range from archery to exclusive helicopter rides. With over 500 acres exclusively at your disposal, the options are limitless. The beautiful gardens and woodland have been painstakingly restored to the splendor of their 19th-century glory, and the manicured lawns that slope gently down to Loch Ness are perfect for afternoon strolls and the overlooking terrace, an excellent location for barbecues and garden parties.
Further, into the grounds of Aldourie, the leafy marina is an excellent place from which to take an adventure on Loch Ness, and the woodland tree house is ideal for some serious Nessie spotting. This unique Highland location is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, hunters, fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, and if you would like to try shooting, the grounds are ideal for some of the best grouse, partridge, wild pheasant shooting and deer stalking in the UK.
If your group want the ultimate in luxury and privacy, then look no further than this enchanting Highland Castle for your golf vacation to Scotland.