6 days ago
The 'magical' Scottish castle with near-perfect rating you can stay in for summer holiday
"This one is the real-deal, not touristy."
A unique holiday retreat in a "magical" Scottish castle is currently available to book this summer. One previous guest described the unique property as "the real deal".
The Tower at Thornton Castle is situated in the foothills of the Cairngorm National Park, and is comprised of the 16th Century tower of a family home. Accessed via a spiral staircase, the space is set out over two floors in a private wing of the castle.
Sleeping up to four guests, the property can be booked through Airbnb at a price of £195 per night. However, additional cleaning and service fees must also be paid.
The main guest room is located on the second floor of the L-shaped tower. It features a super king sized bed, a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers.
Elsewhere, there is a sitting room with television. Also on the same floor is a billiard room that features a full-sized snooker table and a selection of board games.
Moving up a further flight of stairs, there is another guest room with twin beds. Completing the accommodation is a bathroom, which features a power shower and bath.
A full breakfast is provided in the property's dining room, depending on requirements. Wi-Fi is available throughout the house, while a hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, and a fridge with an ice box are also provided.
Although the accommodation has received positive feedback from guests, some holidaymakers may prefer to stay in a hotel rather than a grand castle. Fortunately, there are various options to choose from in the surrounding area.
The Panmure Arms Hotel is a family hotel nestled at the foot of Glen Esk that is surrounded by wilderness. Meanwhile, the Glenesk Hotel boasts a sauna, a gym, and a swimming pool.
On Airbnb, the castle has an incredible overall rating of 4.99 out of five after receiving 453 reviews. It is also ranked within the top five per cent of eligible listings on the site based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.
One guest posted: "Magical. We wished we could have stayed longer. There are many gimmicky stay-in-a-castle places, this one is the real-deal, not touristy.
"Hosted by the owners with family dating back centuries, who have intimate knowledge of the grounds and artefacts. Well positioned for day trips throughout this part of Scotland."
The Tower's brilliant 4.99 rating means very few guests have had anything negative to say about the property. There are a limited number of four-star reviews, with one mentioning it is "eclectic on the inside with a bit of clutter", which may not appeal to some visitors.
However, another five-star reviewer shared: "Thornton Castle is a beautiful place and Griselda is a wonderful host. She was responsive and accommodating from booking until the end of our stay. The freshly cooked breakfast was delicious!
"We enjoyed being able to sit on the patio in the evening as well as explore the castle grounds. It is well worth going off the beaten path for this experience."
