South of Scotland Private Castle Tour
This private castle tour stays south of the Highland routes — the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. Rosslyn, Traquair, Floors, Hermitage, Caerlaverock, Threave and Culzean, at an unhurried pace. It is a sample. We change days, stays and start point to suit you.
Stay where the trip feels right — a cosy B&B, a boutique hotel, a castle hotel, or a whole castle to yourselves.
If you want a different length or a different mix of castles, use the custom tour page instead.
The Schedule
Day by day
Day 1
Edinburgh to the Borders
Rosslyn Chapel, Thirlestane Castle, Traquair House. Overnight in the Borders. Sample stays: Stobo Castle, Barony Castle, or exclusive use of Neidpath Castle.
Day 2
Borders castle day
Floors Castle, Duns Castle Estate, Melrose Abbey and/or Jedburgh Abbey. Return to the same hotel.
Day 3
Dumfries & Galloway
Hermitage Castle, Caerlaverock Castle, Threave Castle. Overnight Glenapp Castle or a hotel nearby.
Day 4
Optional extra day — Isle of Bute or Isle of Arran
Bute: Rothesay Castle and Mount Stuart. Arran: the island and Brodick Castle.
Day 5
Final day — return to Edinburgh or Glasgow
Culzean Castle, Dundonald Castle, Bothwell Castle. Drop-off Edinburgh or Glasgow.
This is the quieter castle route. For the Highland loop see the 5-day tour or the 7-day tour. Or skip the sample and start from a blank page on the custom private castle tour.
Where You'll Stay
Sample Hotels
These are examples, not a fixed package. We can use B&Bs, boutique hotels, castle hotels, or exclusive use instead.
Nights 1 and 2
Stobo Castle, Barony Castle, or exclusive use of Neidpath Castle
Night 3
Glenapp Castle or a hotel nearby
Optional island day
(If the optional island day is added, we book a fourth night to match.)
In The Package
What's Included
Private driver-guide and vehicle for the agreed days, the planned route, and help booking accommodation. Castle entry and rooms are confirmed on your quote. Breakfast and evening meals are arranged if you want them included.
Is This You?
Who It Suits
Couples, friends, and multi-generational families who want the quieter southern castles rather than the main Highland circuit. Good if you have already seen Stirling and Eilean Donan, or if you simply prefer fewer coaches. Guests come from the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and elsewhere.
Ready to Go?
Use this southern outline, or change it
This sample is a starting point. Tell us your dates and must-sees and we will adapt it — or build a different route on the custom private castle tour page.
Request Your Custom Quote