Flânons

Inverness · United Kingdom · To stay

Aldourie Castle

Location & practical

The House Party on Loch Ness

  • An entire castle for up to 24 guests.
  • Award winning conservation on Loch Ness.
  • Private chefs and garden led dining.
  • €39,000 / night
  • 12 rooms
  • Dores, Loch Ness

At Aldourie Castle, the first booking decision is whom to invite. Its twelve bedrooms are hired together, accommodating up to 24 guests, with chefs and a dedicated house team to look after the party. Loch Ness lies beyond the lawns, near the northeastern end of the water, while Inverness is only a short drive away.

The castle has accumulated its character over centuries. Behind the turrets and crowstepped gables are traces of a seventeenth century house, substantial nineteenth century additions and a later wing by architect Robert Lorimer. The Category A listed building has recently been restored for WildLand by Ptolemy Dean Architects, a project that earned a RIBA National Award in 2025. Inside, Jamb's furnishings bring the rooms the warmth of a well loved country house. Deciding who sleeps where may require a little diplomacy.

Outside, Tom Stuart-Smith's gardens lead towards a restored kitchen garden that supplies the chefs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared for your group, with the option of eating in the castle or arranging lunch in the remarkable boathouse, its timber roof shaped like a boat's hull. The drawing room, billiards room and wine cellar invite leisurely evenings; the sauna yurt offers an appealing return from a swim in the loch. The concierge can arrange guided outings into the Highlands as well.

Aldourie is a private country house, not a hotel with individual rooms or a public restaurant. Agree the guest list, meals and any outings before arrival. And make time for lunch on the boathouse terrace, looking straight down Loch Ness.

  • Former residential building Historic setting
  • Private garden

Rooms.

The Flânons choice

Which room would we choose?

Lady Grey is the strongest choice for lovers of interiors, with a four poster bed and beautifully detailed Chinese wallpaper by Braquenié. For a more private arrangement within the group, ask about Fraser, which is described with its own sitting room. Morris offers a flexible twin configuration.

All 12 room types

Lady Grey

Super king bed · Four poster bed · Ensuite bathroom

First floor. A super king four poster bed, Braquenié's Le Paravent Chinois wallpaper and a Dutch leather screen give this room a distinctive character. The decoration was documented by The World of Interiors following Jamb's redesign.

Mackintosh

Super king bed · Ensuite bathroom

First floor. Super king bed. One of the seven bedrooms on the main bedroom level of the castle.

Tempest

King bed · Ensuite bathroom

First floor. King bed, in an individually decorated room on the main bedroom level.

Loch

Queen bed · Ensuite bathroom

First floor. Queen double bed, the most compact bed size in the published current room inventory.

Fraser

Super king bed · Separate living room · Ensuite bathroom

First floor. Super king bed. The Fraser Suite is also described as having its own sitting room, useful for guests who appreciate some private space within a larger gathering.

Lorimer

King bed · Dual aspect · Ensuite bathroom

First floor. King bed. The room is traditionally described as having windows on two sides, an appealing option for daylight and outlook.

Morris

Super king bed · Twin option · Ensuite bathroom

First floor. Super king bed that can be arranged as twins on request. A flexible choice for a group with different sleeping arrangements.

Watts

Super king bed · Ensuite bathroom

Second floor. Super king bed in one of the five bedrooms on the upper level.

Lady Cameron

Super king bed · Ensuite bathroom

Second floor. Super king bed, in an individually furnished bedroom overlooking the estate or loch.

Tytler

Super king bed · Ensuite bathroom

Second floor. Super king bed. Its position on the upper level is worth considering for guests with mobility requirements.

Tower

Super king bed · Ensuite bathroom

Second floor. Super king bed in the Tower bedroom. The historic room layout has included additional private stairs.

Twin Chimneys

Twin beds · Ensuite bathroom

Second floor. Two single beds according to a recent specialist room inventory, making it the clearest option for guests who prefer separate beds.

First floor: Lady Grey, Mackintosh, Tempest, Loch, Fraser, Lorimer and Morris. Second floor: Watts, Lady Cameron, Tytler, Tower and Twin Chimneys. Current specialist listings give bed sizes, but some older bathroom and staircase descriptions differ; confirm exact arrangements with the house team when assigning rooms. Bedroom sizes are not published reliably.

Good to know.

Location
The Estate Office, Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness IV2 6EL, UK
Open map & directions
Parking
Private estate parking is available for castle guests. Confirm parking space, vehicle arrival instructions and any arrangements for drivers or coaches with the concierge.
EV charging
EV chargers are documented for cottages on the estate. Their availability to the castle party, connector type and charges require confirmation before arrival.
Getting around
Inverness is the nearest practical rail gateway. Arrange a private transfer or taxi for the final journey to the estate.
Arriving
Near Dores at the northeastern end of Loch Ness, a short drive southwest of Inverness. Arrange arrival times, estate access and transfers directly with the castle team; the property is let exclusively to one group.
Accessibility
Bedrooms occupy the first and second floors of this historic castle. Ask the reservations team about stairs, lift access and suitable rooms before confirming a stay for guests with reduced mobility.
Travelling with children
Private family gatherings can include children. Discuss cots, highchairs, room allocation and supervision with the team in advance; historic staircases, extensive grounds and immediate loch access require particular attention.

Worth knowing

  • Book the entire castle for one party of up to 24 guests; individual rooms are not offered. A specialist booking agent lists a three night minimum stay, so confirm the dates and hire terms before inviting everyone.
  • Share your guest list and bedroom preferences in advance. Seven rooms are on the first floor and five on the second; ask the team about twin beds, bathroom layouts and stair access when assigning guests.
  • The private chef and staffed dining are part of the castle experience. Agree meal plans, dietary requirements, drinks and any special celebrations with the house team before arrival.
  • Reserve activities such as guided Highland outings, whisky tastings and loch excursions ahead of time. Swimming and boating depend on conditions, with particular care needed for children near the water.
  • Arrange arrival transfers and any additional estate cottages well ahead of the stay. The castle is in a rural location and larger groups need coordinated transport.
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