'The Traitors' Takes Place at This Sprawling Castle in Scotland
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While The Traitors centers on a group of celebrities enveloped in a psychological competition, the real star of the game show is where it all takes place: Ardross Castle. Located in the Scottish Highlands, the 19th-century structure with grand interiors is surrounded by breathtaking formal gardens and extensive greenery that provide backdrops for the TV show. As you continue to tune into the second installment of the NBC series, we’ve laid out everything you should know about the dreamy filming location—from its storied history to whether or not you can book a stay at the estate.
Where Is The Traitors Filmed?
The Traitors takes place where many chaotic storylines in pop culture unfold: a lavish estate. Specifically, the competition series is filmed at Ardross Castle—and that goes for both the U.S. and U.K. versions. Located in Scotland’s Ross-shire county, the Scottish Baronial-style building was chosen as the filming location for the series because it has a big enough interior for the roundtable room where contestants have pivotal discussions. The executive producers of the U.S. version—which is hosted by actor Alan Cumming—told Variety that only one wing of the castle is used for filming along with the outdoor areas, which encompass manicured gardens and more than 100 acres of parkland.
According to the castle’s website, the estate has been extensively renovated. But since it’s such a big property, it sounds like it could still use some work. Mike Cotton, one of the executive producers of the U.S. series, explained to Variety: “It’s a really old building, and there’s parts of it that are completely unrenovated, that haven’t been touched for many, many years. At one point, it was occupied during the war by the Navy. It’s fascinating because it’s got so much history to it. I can’t estimate the square feet, but it’s got the potential for 30 bedrooms in reality. A lot of it is unconverted.”
A collection of interior photos in the castle’s online gallery showcases the rich, renovated rooms. A grand drawing room—with mauve walls, a pink chandelier (which is seemingly made of Murano glass), and a detailed molded ceiling—prevails as a standout space. There’s also a sunny yellow dining room, a billiard room wrapped in a green tartan wallcovering, and at least four large bedrooms, each with a distinct style and matching bathroom with a freestanding tub. You can peruse the extravagant interiors and the grounds here.
Can You Stay in or Visit Ardross Castle?
Unfortunately, you can’t book a stay at Ardross Castle. The estate is only available to book as an event venue, like for a wedding, or filming location for TV, movies, or photo shoots. If you’re only after a tour of the place, we have more bummer news: Since the castle is privately owned, it doesn’t offer any group or individual tours for eager travelers. Alas, your options are pretty limited if you hope to visit one day. But luckily, its onscreen appearance provides just enough scenic shots to make you feel like you're there.
If it makes you feel any better, the contestants on The Traitors might not even get to stay at the castle during filming. The producers have sworn to secrecy when it comes to revealing their true accommodations, but it's rumored that contestants stay at a hotel near the airport instead. That setup would be a bit cruel if true, but it makes sense—especially if there aren't even enough rooms for all of the contestants to stay in.
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