By Islam El-Sakka
As the second celebrity season of The Traitors approaches its finale, viewers may wonder where the show’s breakfast banquets, muddy missions, and turret executions take place. The series is filmed at Ardross Castle, a 19th‑century stronghold set on more than 100 acres of parkland in the Scottish Highlands.
Historic Castle Background
Ardross Castle sits on the banks of the River Alness, just north of Inverness. The estate was purchased by the 1st Duke of Sutherland in the late 1700s, and the current castle began to take shape after Sir Alexander Matheson, an MP and opium trader, bought it in 1845 for £90,000. Architect Alexander Ross expanded the mansion by around 30 rooms in the Gothic Scottish Baronial style, adding lawns, a pond, and a fountain. The property changed hands several times before the McTaggart family acquired it in 1983 and undertook renovations.
Filming at the Castle
The castle’s lavish interiors host the discussions, banishments, and overnight action, while daytime missions are conducted on the grounds. The US adaptation hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming also uses the same location.
Can You Stay at the Castle?
Individual overnight stays are not available. During filming, the celebrity contestants stay at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel near Inverness Airport. When not serving as a TV set, Ardross Castle operates as a wedding and conference venue; hiring the castle for a wedding of up to 130 guests over two nights starts at £45,000, according to The Times.
