Language 
Where is The Traitors filmed, and how can you visit the set?… hint: there is only 1 way!
The Traitors and Celebrity Traitors are filmed at Ardross Castle in Scotland. There is only one way to visit the castle - find out here!
Glued to your TV every Thursday and Friday night to watch the latest episode of The Traitors? With Claudia Winkleman hosting Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Bella Ramsey, and more in the latest Celebrity Traitors, it’s no surprise!
But the celebs aren’t the only highlight. Beyond the twists, backstabbing, murders, and roundtables, there are the ever present and breathtaking Scottish highlands.
So where exactly is The Traitors filmed, and can fans actually step inside those grand castle grounds?
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the real-life location behind the drama, how to get there, and the best alternative Scottish castles the public can actually visit or stay in!
TL;DR: Both The Traitors UK and Celebrity Traitors are filmed at Ardross Castle, a magnificent 19th-century estate in the Scottish Highlands, 25 miles north of Inverness. While the venue is a private estate closed to general day visitors, you can hire it exclusively for weddings or private events. Alternatively, you can visit nearby historic spots like Dalhousie Castle or Eilean Donan.
Where are The Traitors and Celebrity Traitors filmed?
Both The Traitors UK and Celebrity Traitors are filmed at Ardross Castle, a 19th-century estate built in the Scottish Baronial style.
Ardross Castle sits near the small town of Alness in Ross-shire, roughly 25 to 30 miles north of Inverness.
This dramatic 100-acre location is also where The Traitors UK filmed its companion series and acts as the backdrop for the American version hosted by Alan Cumming. Surrounded by formal gardens, ancient woodland, and the River Alness, it provides the ultimate atmospheric setting for secret meetings and tense breakfasts.
The trailer for this season’s The Celebrity Traitors featured plenty of shots of Ardross Castle’s stunning exterior and extravagant interior design.
Can you visit The Traitors castle?
While you can locate it on a map, the estate itself is strictly private. It is not open to the general public for walk-in day visits, self-guided tours, or casual strolls.
That said, there is one major exception! You can hire the estate privately for weddings.
The venue can be used for both the ceremony and next-day breakfast, with accommodation space for up to 41 guests over two nights.
How to reach Ardross Castle
Getting to the Highland region surrounding Ardross Castle is straightforward from across the UK:
- By Air: Fly directly into Inverness Airport (INV) from major UK airports like London, Manchester, and Belfast.
- By Train: Take the rail route to Inverness Station, or board the overnight Caledonian Sleeper train straight from London Euston.
- By Car: From Inverness, drive north on the A9 towards Tain for about 20 miles, then turn onto the B9176 towards Alness and Ardross (35–40 minutes total).
Note: As the estate is private, security turns away visitors at the main gates, so plan to enjoy the surrounding Highland views from nearby public routes.
What are Scotland’s best castles that the public can visit?
Scotland has over 3,000 castles, according to Castle Collector. So, while the public can’t access Ardross, there are thousands of opportunities to live out your own experience as a ‘faithful’ or ‘traitor’.
Some of Scotland’s most spectacular public castles include:
- Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh): Scotland’s most famous fortress sits atop an extinct volcano right in the capital, open daily for public tours.
- Eilean Donan Castle (Kyle of Lochalsh): Located on its own island in the Western Highlands, this iconic 13th-century stronghold welcomes day visitors year-round.
- Dalhousie Castle (Bonnyrigg, near Edinburgh): A 13th-century fortress turned luxury spa hotel where you can stay overnight and try falconry.
- Dunnottar Castle (Aberdeenshire): Perched on a cliff and facing the North Sea, this fortress is one of Europe’s most haunted castles and has featured in films like Victor Frankenstein and Hamlet.
- Dornoch Castle (Dornoch, Sutherland): Located 20 miles north of Ardross along the NC500, this 15th-century castle hotel features an award-winning whisky bar.
Get unlimited data across Scotland with Holafly
Staying connected while exploring the Scottish Highlands is essential, whether you are navigating rural roads or catching up on the latest Traitors episode on iPlayer.
With a Holafly eSIM for the UK, you get unlimited high-speed data, seamless setup, and reliable coverage across Scotland without roaming charges.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 15 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Plans that may interest you
Born and raised in the UK, I discovered content creation as a journalist while studying at the University of Manchester. I've since covered a range of roles, both editorial and SEO, across the travel, hospitality, and professional services industries. I spend my weeks ensuring Holafly's content is relevant, insightful, and helpful, and my weekends exploring new destinations to satisfy my ever-growing travel bug.
