Can You Visit The Traitors’ Castle and Other Alternatives

Dreaming of gothic architecture, misty mornings and slow, cinematic backdrops after watching The Traitors? That’ll be Ardross Castle for you. The Highland host to the popular BBC show.  

There’s one thing that you need to know before planning a trip there, though: Ardross Castle isn’t open for normal visits to the public. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have the same kind of experience; you just need to look in the right places.  

Where is The Traitors' castle? 

The castle featured in the popular BBC and Peacock show, The Traitors, is Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, located a 39-minute drive from Inverness and roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes from Edinburgh. All four of the UK series since 2022 have been hosted at the 19th-century gothic castle, as well as 2025’s Celebrity Traitors and four seasons of the US version. 

Can you visit Ardross Castle? 

Not in the way you might hope. Ardross Castle is privately owned and isn’t open to the general public, but you can book it for exclusive wedding hire, with accommodation for up to 41 guests. It’s been reported by The Times that the wedding package pricing starts from £45,000.  

So, unless you’re planning on getting wed, attending one, are part of a TV or film crew, or are lucky enough to get on the show, you won’t be able to visit the private grounds.  

Even the cast of The Traitors don’t stay at the Scottish castle but at another hotel nearby. Alan Cumming, host of the US version, confirmed in an interview (and said they actually sleep at an airport hotel!). 

Can you reach Ardross Castle by canal? 

Unfortunately not. Ardross Castle isn’t near any navigable canal or river that would allow you to approach by boat. Scotland does have famous canals, like the Union Canal and the Forth and Clyde around Falkirk, but none of them pass close enough to visit The Traitors castle realistically.   

You may not be able to reach Ardross Castle by canal, but you can still experience the same grand and isolated settings that are accessible by boat. 

What other castles can you visit by canal that are like Ardross Castle?

If you’re looking for similar vibes to The Traitors’ castle for a holiday pitstop, you need:

• Dramatic architecture  

• A slow, almost ceremonial arrival 

• A sense of being cut off from normal life and thrown into quintessential nature 

And that’s exactly what a canal boat holiday provides. You’re living inside the landscape and letting the scenery become part of your backdrop. If the mood of The Traitors has inspired you, here are some other gothic-style castles you can visit:

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland 

Route: Edinburgh and Return 

Falkirk sits at the heart of Scotland’s Lowland canal network, linking the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. Edinburgh Castle isn’t directly on the canal, but you can reach Edinburgh easily from the Union Canal.  

If the atmosphere drew you to Ardross Castle rather than the postcode, there are a handful of options to explore in England.  

Warwick Castle, England 

Route: Warwickshire Ring 

Moor near Warwick and walk into a castle that rises straight out of the town. King-built towers and ancient walls give it a theatrical feel. It’s also one of the top tourist attractions outside of London. 

Dudley Castle, England   

Route: Black Country Ring 

A majestic, tragedy-stricken attraction that also features exotic animals, offering plenty to get involved with, alongside its Gothic Revival charm. It sits high above the canal network, so expect to see wide views across the Midlands. You’ll definitely see this one looming in the distance as you cruise and moor nearby. 

Chirk Castle, Wales 

Route: Llangollen & Return 

Chirk Castle is a medieval fortress located near Wrexham, near the border of Wales and England. The National Trust site covers over 480 acres and is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Explore the eclectic and high-society-inspired interiors and the castle’s 19th-century Gothic Revival alterations to get your Ardross Castle fix.  

If you’re chasing that Traitors-style atmosphere, these are some of the best castles you can realistically add to your canal boat holiday itinerary.  

Book your Traitors-inspired trip with ABC Boat Hire 

Embrace the rolling hills and misty mornings in a holiday that stops you in your tracks. Contact the ABC team today or browse our featured routes.   

Filming information is accurate as of January 2026.