Beyond plotting, betrayal, and cold-blooded murder, the rugged, romantic Scottish landscape steals the show in The Traitors. Filmed at Ardross Castle, the privately owned historic property is as much a main character as presenter Claudia Winkleman (and her knitwear collection).

Built in the Scottish Baronial style, the 19th-century estate is spread across 100 acres of parkland, north of Inverness along the River Alness. Its imposing facade, grand staircases and turrets set the moody tone of the TV show.

Beyond the castle, shots of misty glens, brooding skies and forest wildernesses have increasingly put Scotland on the tourism map. Since the first series of aired in 2022, the show has delivered an estimated £21.8 million boost to the Scottish economy, according to the BBC’s economic impact report.

Read more: The Hand Picked Hotels to escape to this autumn, from spas to country houses

During each episode, Google searches for “Traitors Castle” and for Edinburgh or Highlands tours surge. And this isn’t just British people seeking a holiday closer to home; the game show's global reach has boosted international tourism to Scotland, too.

Presenting a romanticised, breathtakingly beautiful, folklore fantasy of Scotland, the long-awaited new season of arrives on 1 October. To mark the occasion, I’ve rounded up the best Scottish hotels to book now, from storied castles to remote hunting lodges and loch-side retreats. Don’t forget to pack your cloak and pair of Barbour wellies.

A Scottish institution that’s hosted everyone from world leaders to Queen Elizabeth II and, most recently, Justin Bieber, the Gleneagles Hotel opened in 1924. Conceived as the “Riviera in the Highlands”, the property's famous golf courses opened five years before the actual hotel. Gleneagles' first guests arrived by the estate’s dedicated railway line, and the hotel’s exclusive allure has endured.

Arguably the ultimate Highlands retreat, guests can try falconry, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, cycle or hike scenic trails, ride horses, try off-road driving, or play golf.

When ’s Alex Vincent bedded down for the night, he said: “This Scottish grande dame is both the ultimate country playground and a portal to a more refined era.” Hospitality delivers “old-school elegance with effortless warmth”, while “interiors are refined but never stiff: soft heathers, warm woods and windows that frame the Perthshire hills like oil paintings. It’s luxury with restraint: indulgent but never showy.”

For my own Scottish autumn escape last year, I stayed at the Fife Arms in Braemar. A rumoured favourite of King Charles, the luxury hotel is home to two Picasso paintings, a sketch by Queen Victoria, and the annual Highland Games. Part-museum, part-art gallery, but not a hint of stuffiness, the hotel offers a fully immersive Scottish retreat.

Tartan-clad walls, tweed curtains, roaring fires, plush patterned sofas and the hotel’s friendly labrador combine in the charming public areas. The eclectic mix of modern and classic artwork is the passion project of the two art dealers behind the renowned Hauser & Wirth gallery.

A foodie and whisky-lover's dream stay, the drinking holes include the themed Elsa Schiaparelli-inspired bar, the Flying Stag pub (popular with both locals and visitors), and the moody Berties Whisky Bar, where rare drams lure in collectors from around the world. The hotel’s ghillie guides know the Cairngorms National Park like the back of their hand.

Wildland is one of the buzziest names in Scottish tourism. Its hospitality portfolio spans historic lodges Hope and Gleneshie, loch-side castles including Aldourie Castle, and remote stone cottages such as Keeper’s Cottage and Core Donhain Cottage. Some are exclusive hire while others are small hotels sleeping 12 or self-catering stays for 10.

Setting them apart from other luxury properties, Wildland pairs each design-led project with long-term rewilding and conservation projects. I visited Aldourie Castle earlier this year; its breathtaking exterior is the result of careful restoration, while the rustic, Scandi-Scot interiors respect the castle's history while giving it a contemporary feel.

Hope Lodge is the latest on the portfolio, and should be top of your list. A historic hunting lodge turned boutique hotel, the main house and two standalone cottages sit on the shores of Loch Hope, with mountain views and quiet, coastal landscapes. Hope is sure to be as restorative as any spa staycation.

Among Scotland’s oldest inhabited castles, the latest chapter in Dalhousie’s 800 years of history is a characterful 35-room hotel. Located just outside Edinburgh, the castle was the former seat of the Ramsay clan, with its historic details – stone walls, deep-set windows and turrets – now offering contemporary comforts. Rooms are individually styled, while the main restaurant occupies the castle’s historic vaults.

Despite not being far from the city, the castle leans into the Scottish experience with falconry and archery on the estate, plus spa facilities.

A classic Scottish country house for a weekend away, Norton House is set behind a stone gatehouse and surrounded by 55 acres of parkland. Built in 1840 for the Usher family of whisky and brewing fame, the Victorian mansion retains plenty of its original aristocratic character, from ornate interiors to the grounds and walled garden.

Despite its secluded feel, the hotel is just minutes from Edinburgh airport and the city centre – an ideal choice for exploring the best of the Highlands and the city this autumn. Better yet, Hand Picked Hotel’s amber hours deal throws in an autumn Champagne afternoon tea and a complimentary upgrade to the next room category for a one-night stay, and an additional three-course dinner for a two-night retreat.

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