Kilmartin Castle
- Premier host
- Kilmartin, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- See on map
- Sleeps: B&B or 10 exclusive
- Bedrooms: 4-5
- Bathrooms: 4-5 ensuite
- Minimum stay: 2 nights B&B (3 nights exclusive use)
How would you like to travel magically back in time, without forsaking any contemporary creature comforts in the process?
That’s exactly what a stay at Kilmartin Castle offers. Standing proudly amongst an ancient Argyll glen on Scotland’s windswept west coast, you’re sure to feel immediately at one with your grand, historic surroundings.
The castle is available for exclusive private rule, or simply choose one of its four elegant, pet-friendly bedrooms to rest your regal heads in (a fifth kingsize suite, named 1550 after the year the castle was completed, is offered with exclusive hire parties).
You’ll find each en-suite room individually named and themed, with thoughtfully chosen antique furniture, and a beautiful blend of modern with original artworks and accessories.
Speel (an old Scottish word meaning “the climb”) is a luxury kingsize room with a roof window, an antique bed, and a copper bath with art deco taps. The Snug is a gorgeously cosy ground floor double, with its original stone barrel-vaulted ceiling, and a handcrafted oak headboard.
Clarke, named after the castle’s much-loved former owners, is a luxurious and romantic double room with a soothing fireplace, exposed stonework, and a walk-in wet room. And last but by no means least, Carswell is a luxury kingsize room named for the castle’s very first keeper, with a four-poster bed and a gleaming copper bath to help you feel nice and spoilt.
Unless you’ve booked the castle to yourselves, breakfast is sociably served every morning in the castle dining room. Breakfast is memorable, with something for everyone, including mouthwatering vegan dishes, traditional smoked salmon (smoked in the next village!) and free-range kintyre scrambled eggs. The ingredients used are fresh and innovative; think burnt lemon, whipped ricotta, rose water, roasted strawberries, harissa lamb, homemade labneh and dukkah to name a few. Not a fry up in sight here!
Keep readingAt a glance
- A 16th century castle, elegantly restored and standing in a historic Argyll glen. Ideal for stays that require a touch of time-travelling magic!
- Choose one of the castle’s four individually themed, pet-friendly double or kingsize rooms, all with en-suite facilities, or arrange to rule the entire castle yourselves.
- A locally sourced breakfast menu is served in the castle dining room each morning.
- Guests opting for exclusive hire will have access to the castle kitchen (private chef hire is available), and a fifth luxurious kingsize suite.
- Wander into the village to learn more about the area’s fascinating history, or to visit the local pub for a tasty home-cooked meal.
Features
Dog Friendly
Large Groups
Facilities
Castle accommodation, with 4 double or kingsize rooms (a 5th room is offered with exclusive hire parties). All rooms feature en-suite facilities with a walk-in rain shower, bed with luxury linens, Roberts radios, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a Stag Fellow EKG kettle with temperature controls. Breakfast is served each morning in the castle dining room. Exclusive stays feature use of the well-equipped castle kitchen.
Local Activities
Walking, cycling, nature watching, historic sites, museums, cafés, local pubs.
More information
Lit by glowing candlelight, the original stone dining room takes on a whole new ambience by evening, as you dine under its vaulted ceiling. If you’re hiring the castle for a private party, you’ll have use of the beautiful fully equipped kitchen with hot running water – but then, why waste the opportunity to be catered for by a private chef?
Needless to say, the castle makes for a totally fairytale venue for a wedding too, so why not plan for your special day and up to ten guests in this most romantic of historic venues.
In 2021 the castle grounds were completely re-landscaped. An inviting pergola and outdoor dining table greet you at the front of the castle. A raised lawn has beautiful views overlooking Kilmartin Glen. You will find an orchard, sunken fire-pit, outdoor sitting area with Italian sofas and wood burning stove.
For those who love al feesco dining and entertaining, an outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, bbq and Kamado Joe is the ideal space for this, with seating for ten to sixteen. The large wild swimming pond is perfect for a cold water dip when the sun is shining. Guests are also welcome to help themselves to herbs, fruit and vegetables which are grown organically in the castle grounds.
What to do with your time at Kilmartin Castle? The friendly owners have crafted a map of the local area, filled with places to see and things to do. Start by meandering into the village, where you’ll discover a museum that’s bursting with stories (along with a café that’s bursting with delicious cake!)
The wild, wondrous Kilmartin Glen is rich in history, while the nearby hotel pub is perfect for a home-cooked meal and a single malt, just before you retrace your steps back to your noble dwelling.
It’s the perfect end to yet another memorable day.
Things to note
Check in at 4pm, check out by 10am. Please advise if you are bringing your dog, so the owners can have their bed ready too! There is a 3-night minimum stay for exclusive use, starting from £900 per night, One night stays may be possible on occasion if available, and weddings of up to 10 guests are possible – please enquire for further details if you have a few more, the owners will endeavour to accommodate . Should you wish to have any part of your stay catered please also enquire.
Where you'll be staying
Kilmartin, Argyll and Bute
What the guests of Kilmartin Castle say
“I have traveled to almost every corner of Scotland and Kilmartin Castle has to be one of the best castle stays you will ever find. From having the entire, handsome building to yourself to the authentic castle feel mixed with the quirky, modern stylings in the interior, you’ve got a really special place on your hands. That it stands in the incredibly ancient Kilmartin Glen is icing on the cake. One of the unexpected highlights for me was the crate of incredible records! Get the fire roaring and throw on some vinyl. You’ll never forget it.”
“Our 4-night stay at Kilmartin Castle was the highlight of our trip to Scotland. I did a lot of research on castle hotels in the country. Basically all of the other options are castle facades with a completely modern Marriott style interior. Kilmartin Castle is the real deal, by contrast. Stone walls and floors, uneven and creaky floor boards, towers with arrow slits, two stone spiral staircases (one scary, one less scary), no TV or Internet. It is the right compromise between 15th century everything and modern comforts (running water, lots of bathrooms, comfy beds, functional kitchen, etc.). If you want the real castle experience in Scotland this is where you MUST stay. And since you have your own castle for a few days, you should arrange for Chef Ali to cook for you. We did, and the experience of being served royal meals in the candlelit dining room was incomparable.”
“THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. So are Stef and Simon. We were a party of 9 with 2 young kids, broad cross-section of needs and everyone loved it. From the amazing interior design, to the LP player in the living area, to all the mod cons (awesome cooker and underfloor heating), the recommendation of Ali the cook who treated us with the best seafood platter we’ve experienced, the BBQ outside and the pointers for where to explore in the surrounding area. It’s a very special castle, run by to very special people in a wonderful part of the world.”
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