Fyvie Castle
© VisitScotland / Damian Shields
Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire
Fyvie Castle is an enchanting castle in Aberdeenshire known for its rich folklore, all woven into the tapestry of Fyvie’s 800-year-old history. One of the most prominent ghost tales is of the Grey Lady, thought to be the ghost of Lady Meldrum, who died in the 13th Century and whose remains were discovered in the castle in 1920. You may also hear sounds of a phantom trumpeter who is said to appear dressed in rich tartan near the castle wall. As well as the stories, we know for sure that William the Lion was at Fyvie around 1214 and later Robert the Bruce and Charles I were among its royal guests.
With capacity for up to 120 guests, Fyvie Castle provides a majestic backdrop for meetings and events, blending historical charm with modern amenities.
Rowallan Castle
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire
This luxury venue combines stunning architecture with a rich history dating back to the 12th Century. Adding a layer of mystery to an event, Rowallan Castle is rumoured to be haunted by a Grey Lady, believed to be Janet Douglas, who was falsely accused of poisoning King James V and subsequently burned at the stake in 1537.
Just 20 minutes from Glasgow in the heart of the Ayrshire countryside, this magical castle has a fine dining restaurant and one of the region’s best golf courses. It can accommodate various gatherings, from intimate meetings to lavish celebrations.
Crathes Castle
© VisitAberdeenshire / Damian Shields
Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire
With a fairy-tale appearance thanks to its intricate maze of turrets, towers, oak panels and painted ceilings, Crathes Castle is steeped in myths about ancient spirits. This magnificent 16th Century castle is home to the Green Lady, thought to be a maid who vanished centuries ago and is sometimes said to appear in the Queen Anne Room cradling a baby.
This beautifully preserved castle and gardens offers a blend of impressive architecture and fascinating legends, perfect for creating memorable experiences for meetings and events of up to 120 guests.
Inveraray Castle
© VisitScotland / Stuart Brunton
Inveraray Castle, Argyll
Today, this castle is the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, but a castle has been standing on the shores of Loch Fyne since the 1400s. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young Irish harpist who was beheaded by Cromwell’s soldiers in 1644, and whose ghost still plays sorrowful music in the halls.
This imposing Gothic castle is a magnificent setting for any number of different events including product launches, private dinners, special tour groups, filming, fashion shoots, concerts and meetings.
Eilean Donan Castle
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Eilean Donan Castle, The Highlands
One of Scotland's most iconic castles, Eileen Donan Castle sits alone on an island in the Western Highlands at the point where three great sea lochs meet. This 13th Century castle is said to be haunted by a Spanish soldier from the Jacobite era who was killed during the 1719 Jacobite uprising when the castle was attacked by the British navy.
This beautifully picturesque castle would make a mystical setting for an intimate gathering. With a 4-bed cottage and 1, 2 and 4-bedroom self-catering apartments close by, Eileen Donan is the perfect setting for a memorable event or incentive trip.
Culzean Castle
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Culzean Castle, Ayrshire
Perched on the edge of the Ayrshire cliffs, this magnificent castle is allegedly home to seven ghostly figures, according to local legend. The most famous is the ghostly piper, who can be heard playing in the caves beneath the castle on stormy nights. Other phantoms include a lady in green, seen on the grand staircase, and a knight in armour who appears in the dungeon. The castle's dramatic clifftop setting adds to its allure for meetings and events, with capacity for up to 50 for private parties and corporate events.
Dunnottar Castle
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire
Poised atop a 160-foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, these dramatic and evocative cliff-top ruins were once an impregnable fortress of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland. Steeped in history, this romantic and iconic ruin is said to be haunted by a Green Lady searching for her lost child.
This rock and the magnificent buildings on it have borne witness to much of the rich and tragic tapestry of Scotland's history and its rugged beauty provides a stunning backdrop for any event. With spectacular views across the North Sea and the historical ruins, its marquee site provides an exceptional setting to host a private event or function.
Drum Castle
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire
One of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, The Royal Forest and Tower of Drum were given to the Irvine family by Robert the Bruce in 1323. This ancient tower house is known for its supernatural occurrences, including sightings of the ghost of Anna Forbes Irvine, the wife of the 20th Laird, and the ghost of Little Alexander, the young son of the 20th Laird, who died at age six in 1865.
The castle’s rich history and haunting tales make it an intriguing venue for weddings, private parties and corporate entertaining for up to 70 people. The castle’s gardens and extensive grounds provide a stunning backdrop for photography, marquees and outdoor activities.
Brodick Castle
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran
Teeming with history and surrounded by a rugged mountainous landscape, a woodland and a waterfall, Brodick is every inch the quintessential island castle. The present building was fashioned in 1844, but the seat dates back centuries to when its strategic position overlooking the Firth of Clyde made Brodick a fortress to be reckoned with. The castle has over 800 years of ghost stories, including the Grey Lady of Brodick, thought to be the spirit of a former servant or nun. Other legends include tales of Viking ghosts, owing to Arran’s Norse history, and unexplained cold drafts and door slams.
With capacity for up to 120, this grand baronial castle is an atmospheric choice for events that want to embrace Scotland's mystical side.
Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort
© Mar Hall Resort
Mar Hall, Glasgow
Mar Hall’s setting offers the perfect atmospheric backdrop for storytelling. Set within 240 acres on the banks of the River Clyde, this 19th Century Gothic mansion has stood for 180 years and is steeped in Scottish history, tradition, and architectural grandeur. In the early 19th Century, Major General Robert Walter Stuart, 11th Lord Blantyre, returned from his travels across Europe and the Nile with a vision for a grand home and a beacon for hospitality. In 1828, construction began on Mar Hall, designed by Sir Robert Smirke. Two years later, Lord Blantyre was tragically killed, but his wife, Fanny, continued the dream, shaping its interiors and gardens for the next 30 years.
Today, Mar Hall is a haven of Scottish charm in the middle of the countryside, yet easily accessible from the city. Mar Hall has a range of versatile meeting spaces that cater to businesses and events of all sizes.
Gleneagles
© VisitScotland / Stewart Attwood
Gleneagles, Perthshire
Nestled beneath the Ochil Hills in Perthshire, Gleneagles has long embodied the spirit of Scotland at its most gracious and inviting. Within its 850-acre hotel grounds stands Ochil House – a contemporary wing designed to inspire fresh perspectives with its welcoming spaces. During the Second World War, however, it served a far more sombre purpose as a mortuary. Today, the same space stands in quiet contrast, filled with natural light and dedicated to creativity, conversation, and connection.
Only an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow international airports, Gleneagles has 15 beautiful, versatile meeting spaces, a huge programme of exhilarating group pursuits, and a choice of world-class dining and experiences – perfect for a range of meetings and events in a traditional Scottish setting.
The Hermitage Dunkeld
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
The Hermitage, Perthshire
While not a castle, the Hermitage is steeped in Celtic myth. Nestled in an enchanting forest with waterfalls, The Hermitage woodland walk boasts some awe-inspiring Douglas firs (which are among the tallest trees in Britain), and the thunderous Black Linn Falls. The area is linked to Ossian, a mythical Gaelic bard who is said to have composed poems while standing under the waterfall. A serene and magical escape for meetings away from the hustle and bustle.
