Castle Stuart

Photos of Castle Stuart

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Old-World Elegance, Modern-Day Comfort..

Each of the eight guestrooms at Castle Stuart are named after the clans who fought and died for "Bonnie Prince Charlie" at Culloden, and are decorated in their individual tartans. Bathrooms are ensuite or adjoining. Throughout the house you'll find open fires, fresh flowers, old paintings, armour and historic relics, tartan carpeting and polished floors.

Enter the portals of Castle Stuart and step back in time. You'll soon realise that this is no ordinary hotel. Please note that Castle Stuart is a 17th century Tower House with spiral stairs, and no elevators. For short stays, your hosts suggest that you arrange a manageable overnight bag prior to arrival, to avoid lugging large suitcases!

Delicious & Hearty

A full Scottish Breakfast is included with your stay at Castle Stuart. A delicious and hearty breakfast, freshly cooked to order from the varied menu, is available each morning. Most dietary requirements are catered for, and any particular requests can be taken care of with advance notice.

Breakfast starts with fresh fruit juices, a selection of cereals, fresh fruit salad and yoghurts, before getting down to the cooked selection of sausages, bacon, eggs (however you like them), & pudding - in any combination you choose. All of the above accompanied by brown or white toast, and a freshly brewed cup of tea or fresh ground coffee.

A Fascinating Story...

When Mary Queen of Scots came back to Scotland in 1561, after the death of her husband, the Dauphin of France, she gave this land to her half-brother, James Stuart, granted him the title 'Earl of Moray' and he ruled Scotland as Regent for her. Unfortunately he was murdered and the 2nd Earl of Moray was also murdered - stabbed to death 13 times in fact...

Thus Castle Stuart was finally completed in 1625 by James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray. He married Anne Gordon - it was her father, the Earl of Huntly - who stabbed to death his father, the 2nd Earl of Moray. The current owners believe he built the castle for protection from his in-laws. No sooner was the castle built than it was attacked by 500 MacIntoshes, who came down the drive and took over the castle. The Stuart family decided the best thing to do would be to pay off the MacIntoshes - they took the money and ran.

Some 20 years later, with the power of Oliver Cromwell in England gaining strength, the cultured and melancholy Stuart king, Charles the First, died beneath the headsman's axe outside his own London Palace of Whitehall. Castle Stuart suffered, fell into decline and gradually became a derelict ruin for almost 300 years. It remained empty - except for the ghosts.

Throughout centuries of Scotland's troubled history, Castle Stuart has stood a strong refuge and retreat for the Earls of Moray and the Stuart family. Within sight of this great house on high Culloden Moor, the Highland Broadsword rose and fell in the last futile attempt to restore the exiled Stuart kings to the British throne.

Charles Edward Stuart, the romantic 'might have been' of British history, shared with the Lords of Castle Stuart a proud descent from the Royal House of Albany, rulers of Scotland and, for a time, of the United Kingdom. The Stuarts and their kin wrote much of the bloody and poetic history that is Scotland's heritage.

This splendid 17th Century structure is now once more home to a Stuart family - your hosts. The Stuart's tell their own story of bringing Castle Stuart back to life:

'Incredible as it still seems to me, my chance came to turn back the clock and recreate history in Castle Stuart.

The house had been completed in 1625 by James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray and had flourished during his lifetime, but through disuse had fallen into decay till the day my wife and I first saw it as a derelict, ruinous ghost of the past.

The house was never meant to be a monument; it was built to be lived in and with eight bedrooms it can be enjoyed by more than one small family of Stuarts.

The view from the battlements and each bedroom in the West Tower, of the Moray Firth and the mountains beyond are priceless and the Castle, like Brigadoon, should enchant our visitors and draw them back again and again to Scotland.'

About the City of Inverness

Inverness is the true capital of the Highlands, and with 50,000 people, it is one of Scotland’s fastest growing cities. It is also one of the Highland’s oldest settlements. All roads still lead to the Highland’s center, Inverness. It feels like a compact town, but it has the bustle and air of a lovely city.

Let your imagination run wild, and take a ghost tour led by an 18th century ghost, complete with period costume. Expect to hear tales of the city’s blood-chilling past, including ghosts, witches, murders, and spells! Stroll along the River Ness, or cruise on the Moray Firth, searching out bottlenose dolphins. It is very peaceful, especially if you’ve just been ghost-hunting...

The River Ness flows through Inverness, and salmon fishermen come during the summer, even where the river runs right through the city’s center. High above the city is Inverness Castle, a unique Victorian built of red sandstone. Just below the castle is the museum and Art Gallery which runs exhibitions and workshops for kids. The main shopping area fans out from there in three directions, and includes a lively gathering place where pipers and other musicians get together and make music.