Fancy staying in a fairytale Scottish castle?

We often get customers asking us: "Can we stay in a real-life castle on our holiday?" We often have to respond, tail between our legs, "Well, it's not as easy as you think. There are very few castles you can actually stay in..."

Scotland has to be the capital of castles. The iconic Eilean Donan castle (pictured, which you can't say in, but you can visit and hire out for weddings) is just one of many. Often set against dramatic landscapes, Scottish castles are the real deal; the fairytale castles you dream about living in when you're a little kid.

This year we decided that "It's really difficult" is not good enough, and that if we really put our minds to it, surely we could find some beautiful castle hotels, which were close enough together that we could make a cycling holiday out of linking them all together. Enter: Wendy, our founder and real pioneer in the gentle cycling movement. Wendy is very determined and has a knack for finding hidden gems. We entrusted the challenge to her, and lo and behold, she came back triumphant!

She has designed a fantastic bike tour around Scotland, which includes overnight stays in four stunning castles. Featured en route are Inverlochy Castle; Tulloch Castle; Mansfield Castle; and Kincraig Castle. Inverlochy is a 5 star gem of a hotel, which sits nestled in the foothills of Scotland's highest mountain - the mighty Ben Nevis - and in some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland. Close by are the falls at Glen Nevis, the monument at Glenfinnan and the mountains of Glencoe. Inverlochy was a private residence for over 100 years until 1969, when it was converted from a family home into a castle hotel. Tulloch Castle dates from the 12th century, and offers breathtaking Highland views from its imposing position in the Scottish countryside. The rooms here are a particular favourite of ours, and are beautifully renovated. Mansfield Castle, an imposing Victorian building set in gorgeous countryside, has award-winning food and magnificent oak panelling throughout. And Kincraig, possibly our favourite among them all, is an impossibly romantic castle with fine views overlooking the Cromarty Firth. We love the cosy interiors and the staff here.

If you're wondering how to get more info, this tour is currently a bespoke cycling holiday only, so please do drop us a line if you'd like to hear more!