The Traitors UK Filming Locations: A Complete Guide to the Show’s Scottish Settings

Ardross Castle: The Heart of The Traitors UK

The imposing castle that hosts Claudia Winkleman’s dramatic roundtables and serves as the central hub for The Traitors UK is Ardross Castle, located near Alness in the Scottish Highlands. This 19th-century estate, with its striking Scottish Baronial architecture featuring elaborate turrets and fortress-like battlements, provides the perfect atmospheric backdrop for the show’s blend of deception and strategy.

Set within approximately 100 acres of parkland and gardens about 30 miles north of Inverness, Ardross Castle was built more than 170 years ago. The property’s grand interiors, including the now-famous roundtable room and the bar where “murders in plain sight” have occurred, have become instantly recognizable to fans of the show.

The History of Ardross Castle

Long before the castle existed, the land at Ardross was owned by George Granville Leveson-Gower, the 1st Duke of Sutherland, who had a hunting lodge on the site. The duke was a controversial figure in the Highland Clearances, having removed people from their ancestral lands to make way for sheep farming.

The estate was later purchased by Sir Alexander Matheson, who made his fortune trading in China. As an MP and railway developer in the Highlands, Matheson commissioned the construction of the castle we see today. From 1847, approximately 400 workers were involved in building the 30-room property and establishing its extensive grounds.

After Matheson’s death, the castle changed hands again, being sold to businessman Charles William Dyson Perrins, whose grandfather created the recipe for Worcestershire Sauce. The Perrins family owned the estate until the 1930s, after which various parts were sold off.

Can You Visit The Traitors Castle?

Unlike many filming locations, Ardross Castle is privately owned by the McTaggart family (who purchased it in 1983) and is not generally open to the public for tours. However, the castle does operate as an exclusive venue for weddings and corporate events, meaning fans with a special occasion to plan could potentially experience the location firsthand.

The castle’s popularity has undoubtedly increased since becoming the star location of The Traitors UK, with the owners noting a significant boost in interest. While you may not be able to wander the grounds freely, the surrounding Highland landscape is accessible and offers the same atmospheric beauty seen in the show.

1 week Scotland itinerary.

Beyond the Castle: Other Key Filming Locations

Strathspey Railway: The Traitors Train

Fans of the show will recognize the vintage steam train used in several memorable challenges. This is the Strathspey Railway, a volunteer-run heritage railway that operates a 10-mile route between Aviemore and Broomhill, via Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms National Park.

The railway is part of the former Inverness and Perth Junction Railway (later called the Highland Railway) and is one of only a handful of former lines to be preserved following rail closures in the 1960s. Today, it’s maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers and a small number of paid staff who operate a fleet of steam and diesel locomotives.

Unlike Ardross Castle, the Strathspey Railway is open to the public, offering regular trips throughout the year including special seasonal services like the festive Elf Express during winter months. This gives fans a chance to experience one aspect of The Traitors UK firsthand.

Boat of Garten Railway Station

Each series of The Traitors UK begins with contestants arriving at the charming rural Boat of Garten Railway Station. Located in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and known informally as ‘Osprey Village’ due to the significant population of these birds of prey, this Victorian station dates back to 1863.

The station serves as a stop on the Strathspey Railway and is accessible to visitors. Its picturesque setting and historic character make it a popular spot for railway enthusiasts and now, fans of The Traitors UK.

Loch Glass: The Coffin Challenge Location

One of the most dramatic challenges in the fourth series took place at Loch Glass, a remote body of water surrounded by Highland hills and forests. Located approximately 30 minutes from Ardross Castle, this serene loch provided the perfect setting for the infamous coffin challenge, where contestants had to paddle through floating coffins.

Loch Glass is one of over 30,000 freshwater lochs in Scotland and exemplifies the stunning natural landscapes that make the Highlands such a compelling filming location. While accessible to the public, it’s relatively remote, requiring some planning to visit.

Highland Forests and Grounds

Many of the outdoor challenges in The Traitors UK take place within the wooded areas and estate grounds surrounding Ardross Castle. These forested landscapes showcase another side of the Highlands – dense ancient woodland with winding paths that create the perfect setting for the show’s missions.

Similar landscapes can be found throughout the Highlands, particularly in national parks and private estates, many of which are open to walkers and nature lovers. The combination of forest and open moorland is typical of the region and offers visitors varied terrain to explore.

West Highland Way hike.

Planning Your Visit to The Traitors UK Filming Locations

While Ardross Castle itself remains private, many of the surrounding filming locations are accessible and offer fans a chance to experience the atmospheric Scottish Highlands featured in The Traitors UK. Here’s how to plan your visit:

Where to Base Yourself

Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands, makes an ideal base for exploring The Traitors UK filming locations. As Scotland’s northernmost city, it offers plenty of accommodation options and is well-connected to the surrounding areas.

From Inverness, Ardross Castle is approximately a 30-mile drive north, while the Strathspey Railway in Aviemore is about 30 miles south. This central position makes it convenient for visiting multiple filming locations.

How to Get Around

The Scottish Highlands are best explored by car, giving you the freedom to visit remote locations like Loch Glass. Consider renting a 4×4 vehicle similar to those used in the show for the authentic Traitors experience and to handle some of the more rugged Highland roads.

For the railway experience, book tickets on the Strathspey Railway in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Regular services run between Aviemore and Broomhill, stopping at Boat of Garten.

Best Time to Visit

The Traitors UK is typically filmed during summer months (May-September), which generally offers the best weather for exploring the Highlands. This period provides longer daylight hours and milder temperatures, though Scotland’s weather is famously changeable year-round.

Visiting during summer will give you the closest experience to what’s seen on screen, with lush green landscapes and (hopefully) clear skies. However, this is also peak tourist season, so accommodation should be booked well in advance.

Respectful Tourism

When visiting filming locations, especially those on private land or in sensitive natural environments, it’s important to practice respectful tourism:

• Remember that Ardross Castle is private property and not open for general tours
• Stick to designated paths and trails when exploring natural areas
• Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when in rural areas
• Support local businesses in the communities surrounding filming locations
• Consider joining organized tours that have proper permissions to access certain areas

Other Attractions Near The Traitors UK Filming Locations

While exploring the filming locations of The Traitors UK, you’ll find yourself in one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions with plenty of other attractions worth visiting:

Historic Castles

While Ardross Castle remains private, the Highlands are home to numerous historic castles that welcome visitors. Consider exploring:

• Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness (about 40 minutes from Inverness)
• Cawdor Castle in Nairnshire (32 minutes from Inverness)
• Brodie Castle in Moray (48 minutes from Inverness)
• Inverness Castle in the city center

Natural Wonders

The Scottish Highlands are renowned for their natural beauty, and several notable locations are near The Traitors UK filming spots:

• Loch Ness – famous for its legendary monster and stunning scenery
• Cairngorms National Park – home to the Strathspey Railway and diverse wildlife
• Glen Affric – often described as Scotland’s most beautiful glen
• The North Coast 500 route – Scotland’s answer to Route 66, passing near Ardross Castle

Experiencing The Traitors UK Magic in Real Life

The Traitors UK has captured viewers’ imaginations not just through its compelling gameplay but also through its stunning Scottish setting. While the private Ardross Castle remains the mysterious heart of the show, the surrounding Highlands offer plenty of opportunities to experience the atmospheric landscapes that make the series so visually striking.

From riding the historic Strathspey Railway to exploring the forests and lochs that feature in the show’s challenges, fans can immerse themselves in the world of The Traitors UK while discovering one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions. Whether you’re planning a dedicated filming location tour or incorporating these sites into a broader Highland adventure, the landscapes that have become synonymous with deception and strategy on screen reveal themselves to be places of genuine beauty and history in real life.

Scotland in Autumn.