The Castle RollsA survey of every visitable castle in the United Kingdom
4.9 / 5 · 266 reviews HOTEL GUESTS ONLY

Barcaldine Castle

Argyll and Bute, Scotland


Barcaldine Castle
Barcaldine Castle, further view Barcaldine Castle, further view

Key facts

Operator
Private owners (B&B)
Condition
Intact
Access
Hotel guests only
Stays
Overnight accommodation available

Pinpoint

Argyll, Benderloch, Oban PA37 1SA

Telephone 01631 720598

Possible Opening hours

Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

A 1609 tower house on Loch Creran run as a small B&B through the summer months and taken over for exclusive private hire in winter. Reviewers describe it less as a hotel stay than a house party — six individually decorated bedrooms, a real fire in the grand hall, and hosts who get mentioned by name in nearly every review.

Worth the trip

The grand hall in the evening — reviewers consistently name the real fire and the hosts' hospitality there as the standout of the stay.

Before you go

Book the summer B&B dates well ahead — reviewers treat a night here as a bucket-list stay rather than a casual booking — and be aware the plumbing is old enough that the water runs cold when anyone else in the castle flushes.

WHAT VISITORS SAY · 4.9 / 5 across 266 Google reviews

Visitors staying at Barcaldine Castle are consistently delighted, praising warm and witty staff, comfortable rooms, and a full cooked Scottish breakfast, with several highlighting the novelty of hidden passages and a real fire in the grand hall. The only minor gripe mentioned is that water can run cold when a toilet elsewhere in the castle is flushed, but this doesn't dampen the overall enthusiasm.

1609 tower house; B&B summer, exclusive hire winter

“The views are emaculate! The Barcaldine Room and the castle overall are beautiful. The staff- oh so kind and hospitable! The whole experience made us feel like a Lord and lady for the day. I can't recommend it highly…”— Spencer Boyd, visitor review

Further reading

Castles of Britain and Ireland cover book
Castles of Britain and Ireland

Plantagenet Somerset Fry

Find it on Amazon
The English Castle: 1066-1650 cover book
The English Castle: 1066-1650

John Goodall

Find it on Amazon
book
Castle: A History of the Buildings that Shaped Medieval Britain

Marc Morris

Find it on Amazon