More photos:

Nestling on the quiet south shore of Loch Ness, Aldourie Castle Estate offers a rare taste of Highland estate living at its best. For although only seven miles from the centre of Inverness and thirty minutes from the Airport, Aldourie’s breathtaking beauty and tranquil, timeless atmosphere place it in a world of its own. Aldourie Castle, Grade A-listed and the only habitable castle on Loch Ness, dates back to 1626 but came to prominence in the Victorian era, when the Fraser-Tytler family transformed into an outstanding example of a Scottish Baronial castle, adding numerous turrets and towers. The reason for the expansion is simple. Following the Royal Family’s example, Victorian aristocrats and industrialists flocked north to hunt and fish on Highland sporting estates. Aldourie’s unique position on Loch Ness, close to the River Ness and grouse moors on the one hand, and to Inverness railway station on the other, made it ideally suited to hosting these house parties - and ideal it remains to this day. Aldourie Castle is now being sensitively and lovingly restored to the style and manner of it Victorian heyday and will open to the public for the first time in Spring 2009. The Castle can be rented for a wide variety of events and celebrations, ranging from family get-togethers, social and sporting house parties and weddings, to meetings, conferences, product launches and media events. Aldourie Castle and Estate also makes an ideal film location. Aldourie Estate has a number of traditional cottages that have been renovated to create warm and cosy Highland hideaways, ideal for romantic breaks, family holidays or for people who just want to escape to the countryside and relax. The cottages can be taken individually or with the Castle. Aldourie Castle is available to rent from early Summer 2009 for family get-togethers, special events, weddings or for corporate events. Aldourie Castle is available on a B&B or fully catered basis. POA. The three delightful Estate Cottages, Ivy Cottage, Gate Lodge and Garden Cottage, are also available for rent from late Spring 2009. The cottages are available on a self catered basis. Aldourie Castle has 16 wonderful bedrooms (sleeping 30) on 3 floors including tower rooms at the top of stone spiral staircases: 13 Double/Twin Ensuite Bedrooms 2 Single Bedrooms (shared bathroom) 1 Ensuite Bedroom with adjoining Sitting Room The ground floor has a very comfortable drawing room with damask wall coverings, a well-stocked library with books dating back to the 16th Century, a hall suited to music & dance and larger dinners, a snug sitting room, a billiards room with large plasma TV, and a large dining room seating 24. Also available: Ivy Cottage Ivy Cottage is situated in its own garden with lawn, flower beds and patio. It also has a novel “sitootery” to the rear - a circular walled seat set into a grassy bank that is perfect for quiet chats over a bottle of wine or a barbecue. The cottage is on 2 floors and was lovingly renovated in 2008 to create a warm and welcoming home-from-home, overflowing with character. Accommodation for 4 people: Ground Floor Sitting room with open fire, kitchen/dining room with solid fuel fire, private bathroom for one bedroom with traditional claw-foot bath. First Floor 2 bedrooms, one with claw-foot slipper bath and adjoining lavatory and basin. Gate Lodge Gate Lodge is situated in its own garden with lawn and flower beds and has a stand of magnificent mature beech trees to the west. There is also a barbecue. The cottage is on 2 floors and is currently being renovated in time for Spring/Summer 2009 rentals. The result will be an extremely attractive Highland retreat suited to couples and families. Accommodation for 5 people: Ground Floor Sitting room with open fire, kitchen/dining room with open fire and fitted kitchen units, lavatory and cloakroom. First Floor 2 double bedrooms, 1 en suite, and 1 single plus shared bathroom. Garden Cottage Garden Cottage is situated in its own small garden comprising lawn, shrubs and flower beds. Immediately next door are the Estate’s kitchen garden, orchard and glasshouses, all currently undergoing restoration, and a path leads on down into the arboretum. The setting is perfect! The cottage is on 2 floors and is currently being renovated in time for Spring/Summer 2009 rentals. Accommodation for 4 people: Ground Floor Sitting room with open fire, kitchen/dining room with solid fuel fire, double bedroom with en suite bathroom (disabled access). First Floor 1bedroom plus private bathroom with claw-foot bath. Pets by arrangement only You can explore and enjoy the Estate’s mature policies, arboretum, kitchen garden, family burial ground and mile-plus stretch of Loch Ness shoreline, and our Concierge Service will help you organise your activities both on and off the Estate. You can fish for salmon and trout on Loch Ness, enjoy outstanding shooting and stalking on local estates, golf on Royal Dornoch, Nairn or new Castle Stuart, or explore the surrounding countryside on foot, bicycle, horse, boat or by car, visiting the castles, battlefields, distilleries, craft shops and the many other attractions that the area has to offer. Our experienced staff will look after your every need and will ensure that your house party leaves feeling happy, relaxed and fulfilled.

PLEASE CALL US ON +44 (0)131 476 6500 OR CLICK THE MAKE AN ENQUIRY BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE AND COMPLETE YOUR DETAILS.