Where Was The Traitors Filmed? Ardross Castle & Visiting Tips

Fans of The Traitors know that the BBC’s hit reality show is set in a dramatic castle filled with candlelit corridors and secret rooms. It isn’t a studio set: filming takes place at Ardross Castle, a 19th‑century Scottish Baronial mansion in Ross‑shire. The estate lies about 25–30 miles north of Inverness and is surrounded by more than 100 acres of formal gardens and parkland. However, despite its TV fame, Ardross Castle is not a public tourist attraction. It is a private, exclusive‑use venue, so you cannot simply show up for a tour or book a single night’s stay.

This guide explains where the castle is, what it’s like in real life, who owns it, and how to incorporate a glimpse of this famous filming location into a Highland trip.

Quick Answers: Essential Facts at a Glance

Question	Answer
Where is The Traitors filmed?	The show films at Ardross Castle in Ross‑shire, around 25–30 miles north of Inverness, on the banks of the River Alness.
Is Ardross Castle a real building?	Yes. It’s a 19th‑century baronial mansion built for Sir Alexander Matheson and later expanded by architect Alexander Ross. The castle’s interiors and grounds provide the dramatic backdrop for the UK and US series.
Can you stay at the castle?	No individual rooms are available. The estate is not a hotel. The only way to sleep at Ardross Castle is to hire the entire property for an exclusive wedding or corporate event, which can accommodate up to 41 guests for two nights.
Is the castle open to the public?	No. Ardross Castle is a private estate and does not offer public tours. Casual visitors can only view the castle from nearby roads or footpaths.
Who owns Ardross Castle now?	The estate has been owned by the McTaggart family since 1983. They use it for private events and film productions.
Does anyone live there?	Ardross Castle operates as an exclusive events venue. The owners may use it privately, but it is not a staffed hotel; there is no permanent public residency or B&B service.
Can you visit without going inside?	Yes, you can drive past the gates near the village of Ardross. A small parking area nearby allows for photos of the turrets and parkland. Respect the private road and do not trespass.
How far is it from Inverness?	About 35 minutes by car via the A9; there are train services to Alness followed by taxis.

Where Is The Traitors Filmed

Both the UK and US versions of The Traitors use Ardross Castle as their base. The estate sits in the Averon valley near the village of Alness in Ross‑shire, an area known for its rolling farmland and riverside scenery. It is about 25 to 30 miles (40 to 50 km) north of Inverness. Travelling by car, the drive takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes along the A9 and B9176. The castle’s remote location contributes to the show’s atmosphere: contestants feel isolated because they truly are miles from the nearest town.

For travellers, this also means that Ardross Castle is easiest to see by car. Public transport options include a train to Alness, followed by a short taxi ride. From the village, a single‑track road leads towards the estate gates. If driving, continue past the gates to a small lay‑by where you can park safely without blocking the private drive. There is no public parking inside the estate, and turning around at the gates is discouraged.

The Ardross Castle in Scotland Highland

Ardross Castle is not a medieval fortress but a 19th‑century baronial mansion. The original estate was purchased in 1845 by Sir Alexander Matheson, who built the castle in the Scottish Baronial style using wealth generated through the Jardine Matheson trading company. Architect Alexander Ross expanded the house, adding some 30 rooms and elaborate Scots baronial features. The castle sits amid over 100 acres of parkland and formal gardens on the banks of the River Alness. In its heyday, the estate boasted miles of ornamental walks, a walled garden, and pleasure grounds.

Following various owners including Charles William Dyson Perrins, heir to the Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce fortune, the estate was broken up in the 20th century. In 1983, the McTaggart family acquired Ardross Castle, restoring the gardens and renovating the house. Today, the castle is run as an exclusive venue for weddings, corporate events, and film shoots. It is not a hotel, and individual rooms cannot be booked. The estate’s contact page emphasises that it has no availability for individual stays and that it is private and not open to the public at any time.

Is The Traitors Really Filmed in a Castle

Yes. Unlike some TV shows that use CGI or studio sets, The Traitors films inside and around Ardross Castle. The official Ardross site notes that the UK and US versions used the estate in 2022 and continue to do so. Producers choose the location for its dramatic interiors including a grand drawing room used for the contestants’ breakfasts and its isolated Highland setting. Because the castle sits on a working estate with formal gardens, hills and woodland, the show can stage challenges nearby without straying far from the base.

Can You Stay at the Castle?

Ardross Castle does not operate as a hotel. Fans hoping to sleep in Claudia Winkleman’s breakfast room will be disappointed. The official site states explicitly that the castle is not a hotel and does not let individual rooms. The only way to stay overnight is to hire the entire estate for exclusive use. The castle’s weddings page explains that exclusive‑hire weddings include accommodation for up to 41 guests for two nights, usually the night before and the night of the wedding. This arrangement provides 15 bedrooms plus estate cottages, but guests must bring their own caterer and bar. According to credible castle‑insider reports, low‑season hire starts at around £5,500 per night, with wedding packages reaching £13,000–£45,000 depending on the guest count.

Importantly, even during filming, contestants do not sleep at the castle. The Kingsmills Hotel itinerary points out that participants leave each evening and return to a hotel in Inverness. The castle is used only for day‑time shooting, meals and ceremonies.

Can You Visit Ardross Castle?

For general travellers, there is no casual public access to Ardross Castle. The estate’s contact page clearly states that the castle and estate are private and not open to the public at any time. There is no facility for tour parties or individual visits, and there is no booking option for guided tours. Both Kingsmills Hotel and castle‑collector insights confirm that the castle is privately owned and not open as a tourist attraction. Security personnel may patrol the gates when filming is in progress, so uninvited visitors are likely to be turned away.

However, fans can still get a glimpse of the building from nearby public roads. The Professional Traveller blog provides detailed directions: from Inverness, drive north on the A9 for about 20 miles, turn left on the B9176 towards Ardross, then follow the road to the village; turning left by Ardross School and continuing for roughly three miles brings you to the castle gates. A small lay‑by just past the gates allows you to pull over without blocking the road. That is as close as you can get. Please respect signage, private property boundaries and local traffic; drones are not permitted without permission.

Occasionally, the estate may hold charity open days or public events. These are not guaranteed and must be confirmed directly with the owners. Otherwise, treat Ardross Castle as you would any private home: admire from a respectful distance.

Who Owns Ardross Castle? Does Anyone Live There?

Ardross Castle is privately owned by the McTaggart family, who purchased the estate in 1983. The family is known for business, property development and philanthropy; notable members include Sir John Mactaggart, 4th Baronet, and former MP Fiona Mactaggart. They use the estate as an exclusive events venue and base for philanthropic activities. There is no public information indicating that the family lives there year‑round. Instead, the castle is staffed as needed for weddings, corporate retreats and film productions, and may occasionally host private family gatherings. For everyday operations, the property is managed by Ardross Castle Enterprises Limited.

Is It Worth Adding to a Highlands Trip?

Because you can’t tour the interior or stay overnight, Ardross Castle is best thought of as a drive‑by curiosity rather than a standalone attraction. If you’re already exploring Inverness or driving the North Coast 500, a detour via Alness adds only about an hour to your day. You’ll see the castle’s turrets peeking through trees and can snap a photo at the gates. On a misty morning, the view looks just like the TV show.

To make the trip worthwhile, pair it with other Highland highlights:

• Loch Glass and Ben Wyvis: Just beyond Ardross Castle, Loch Glass offers remote scenery used for challenges in The Traitors. It’s ideal for a picnic or a short walk.
• Inverness and the River Ness: The Highland capital offers river walks, cathedral visits, whisky bars and easy access to other Traitors filming sites. Staying in Inverness gives you the same daily routine as the contestants: drive to the castle and return to a hotel each evening.
• Culloden Battlefield and Fort George: South and east of Inverness, these historic sites appear in the Kingsmills itinerary as complementary day trips. They offer rich history and are fully accessible to the public.
• Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle: A classic detour for scenic views and boat tours, roughly 30 minutes from Inverness.
• Black Isle and Cromarty: Coastal villages, dolphin‑watching, and local breweries make for a relaxed day near the castle’s region.
• Glen Affric and Strathpeffer: For walkers, these areas provide quintessential Highland landscapes without the crowds.

If you want to stay in a castle without renting Ardross, there are alternative properties within easy reach. Historic castle hotels like Kincraig Castle near Invergordon offer baronial style and Highland hospitality. Self‑catering mansions and lodges around Alness can also provide a grand base for exploring the north coast.

FAQs

Final Takeaway

Ardross Castle is the real star of The Traitors, a 19th‑century baronial estate set amid rolling Highlands scenery. It lies roughly 30 miles north of Inverness and provides the dramatic backdrop for every series of the reality show. Yet despite its fame, it remains a private estate, not a museum or hotel. The castle and its grounds are not open to the public, and contestants don’t stay there.

The only way to enter is to hire it for an exclusive event or attend a rare open day. For TV fans, the best approach is to admire the turrets from the roadside, then continue exploring the Highlands from misty lochs and ancient battlefields to whisky distilleries and lively Inverness. With realistic expectations, you can satisfy your curiosity about The Traitors without falling for myths, and still craft a rewarding Highland adventure.