Bali Tripadvisor - Top 5 Scottish Castles and Manors

Combine your stay in Scotland with accommodation in one of the many luxury castles or manors. Can there be anything more evocative than staying in a luxury hotel set amid the annals of history?

Makes for a comfortable stay with a twist, combined with every modern luxury, this. Of the 36 rooms there are fifteen historically themed with period furniture to enjoy. It is ironic that it now welcomes guests from afar to relax in its authentic rooms furnished with Scottish woods and tartans. Is a thirteenth century fortress which played a strategic role in the protection of the surrounding land, just a half hour from the centre of Edinburgh, dalhousie Castle.

Whether you enjoy the falconry displays in the extensive grounds or have a hydrotherapy session in the Spa you will always find something different to do at Dalhousie Castle. For a lighter meal visit the Orangery with its wonderful views of the lazy River Esk. It is hard to imagine that it was once used for more sinister purposes, worn stone stairway and roughly hewn stone walls, with its vaulted ceilings. Salmon or grouse descend to The Dungeon, for a gourmet dinner of local venison.

Rest in your own lounge or laze on the king sized bed, enjoy your private Jacuzzi. Each generous bedroom has all the modern conveniences and twelve are historically themed. Airth Castle and Spa Hotel dates back to the fourteenth century and nestles beside the River Forth.

For a light snack or a glass of wine the Stables Plasma Lounge is perfect. The Glasshouse Restaurant sits under a pyramid of glass and offers traditional fare with a touch of modern flair. You can walk the extensive grounds taking in the views along the River or enjoy the open fire in the lounge.

This small family run hotel will allow you to relax and enjoy your stay. All rooms are furnished with original Victorian furniture. The Brass Room has its own turret with island and sea views while The Lairds boasts a four posted bed with carvings of the Balfour Coat of Arms. Offering a range of styles, the log fires are very welcoming and the rooms are all different. Visit the Orkney Islands at the top of the world and stay at Balfour Castle on the island of Shapinsay.

Balfour Castle offers a set menu which changes every day and uses fresh locally produced foods. Play a round of golf - you are in Scotland the home of golf - or bicycle your way around the Island, go fishing, delight in the diverse bird life. The delightful caves carved out of the soft sandstone by the sea, just perfect for discovering and exploring uninhabited islands and geos, the Castle has two private boats.

Enjoy sitting by the roaring fire after a round of golf. Your palate will sizzle; me Brulee, with such delights as Scottish salmon and honey and Whiskey Crè. Enjoy freshly prepared meals in the restaurant. Overlooking the walled gardens, the garden rooms are sunny and bright. The Cathedral Room with its spa bath is in the oldest wing of the castle. An hour north of Inverness, this family owned and run Castle is set in the village of Dornoch. You will be warmly welcomed with a bottle of champagne when you arrive at the luxurious Dornoch Castle.

Dornoch Castle is a delight in summer and is transformed in the winter months to sheer beauty. Try your hand at clay-pigeon shooting or fish the local lochs. Visit local icons such as John O'Groats or take a rambling hike across the moors. Overlooking the beaches below, the Royal Dornoch is the third oldest course in Scotland and runs along the coast.

The rooms have a contemporary feel and a modern attention to detail, in fine juxtaposition. The Grand Hall where the creamy walls are covered in tapestries, proceed to the heart of the hotel, after check-in. You now walk past two bronze stags in the car park and into the Lobby, upgraded in 2002. This five star establishment was built in the mid eighteen hundreds and its Gothic architecture lends it authority and dignity. Just a short trip from the city of Glasgow, mar Hall sits majestically on the banks of the Clyde River, while not a castle but a Manor.

Including porridge cooked the traditional way, you can also partake of a typical Scottish breakfast here. Includes such wonderfully appetising foods as slow cooked pork belly and elderberry sorbet, off the Grand Hall, the Cristal Room Restaurant.