| The home of tartan, haggis and many a beautiful | | | | centre twenty minutes in the distance. Surrounded by |
| castle, Edinburgh is one place that you can really live | | | | acres of woodland and perched on the banks of the |
| like a king. Here are five of the best luxury castle | | | | river Esk, the picturesque scene could have easily |
| hotels. | | | | been pinched straight from the pages of a fairytale |
| The Retreat Castle Hotel | | | | book. The Aqueous Spa is great for an escape, pull |
| The small but perfectly formed Retreat Castle hotel | | | | up a chair in the library and peruse the extensive |
| is a mere 20 minutes from Edinburgh City Centre and | | | | collection of books or dine in the ancient barrel |
| has just eight comfortable rooms. Dating back to | | | | vaulted dungeon on some superior cuisine. |
| 1640, the refurbished building has maintained many of | | | | Dundas Castle |
| its original features. Log fires, four-poster beds, | | | | Dundas Castle is one of Scotland's most historic |
| chandeliers, antique mirrors and artifacts mingle with a | | | | castles. Built in 1818 by the Scottish architect, William |
| dash of modern charm. There is a chance to wander | | | | Burn, the Castle is the sprawling stately home of Sir |
| through the 1.5 acres of gardens or head in to | | | | Jack Stewart-Clark and his wife, Lady Lydia and is a |
| Edinburgh for a shop and saunter. | | | | five star exclusive use venue. Situated in South |
| Castle Venlaw | | | | Queensferry, near Edinburgh, hark back in time to |
| A boutique hotel for the last 60 years, Castle Venlaw | | | | charming stores, historic buildings, waterfront pubs |
| in Pebbles, must be doing something right. Built in | | | | and restaurants and magnificent views of the |
| Scottish Baronial style, it is set amid the quiet Venlaw | | | | impressive Forth Road Bridge suspension bridge. |
| woodland and is surrounded by hills and farmland. | | | | Melville Castle |
| Four-poster beds are almost de rigueur and dressing | | | | Just 10 minutes from the centre of bustling |
| gowns, if you're lucky they come with a fresh rose | | | | Edinburgh, Melville Castle's turreted facade that once |
| placed on top, act as a welcome treat in some | | | | lay in ruins is now a beautiful luxury hotel. Embracing |
| rooms. There are local walks that start outside the | | | | its Scottish heritage, all 32 of the rooms are |
| hotel and the town has a whole host of quaint | | | | individually designed in contemporary fashion whilst |
| boutiques and toasty tearooms. | | | | maintaining a semblance of the castles history. Use of |
| Dalhousie Castle and Spa | | | | the Cloud Nine Spa at sister hotel Airth Castle is a |
| Once the home of Clan Ramsey, this striking 13th | | | | must, especially as they'll even arrange transport to |
| Century Castle in Midlothian is now a warm luxury | | | | get you to your massage. |
| hotel retreat away from the popular Edinburgh city | | | | |