Enjoy total exclusivity of the castle and grounds
Dine in the portrait-lined state dining room
A range of activities and experiences are available to enhance your stay
Planning the trip of a lifetime? What could be more memorable than a bespoke castle experience to celebrate the most special of occasions.
Thirlestane Castle and its grounds will be closed to the public so that it can be enjoyed exclusively by you and your guests. Our dedicated team will create a bespoke itinerary which is tailored to you – making sure every detail is perfect.
You will have use of the whole of the south wing, including the choice of eight luxury bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and several with adjoining private drawing rooms. Every room is finished to a five-star standard, uniquely decorated and features paintings and furnishings belonging to the castle collections. Welcome hampers can be arranged to ensure your guests have everything they require during their stay.
Start as you mean to go on by arriving in style by private chauffeur or helicopter and kick off the celebrations with an evening soiree on the castle terrace. Create the wow factor with entertainment such as archery, highland games and a whisky tasting with the director of the Border’s Distillery.
On the main evening of celebration, enjoy aperitifs in the State Drawing Room before being invited to dine in the dramatic portrait-lined State Dining Room. Our award-winning chefs will work with you to design your perfect menu choosing the best ingredients from Scotland’s larder, which can be paired with an extensive selection of wines available from the castle cellars. Following dinner, guests can retire to the Vaulted Cellar, with its rustic bar and wood burning stove, for a dram of the finest Scottish whisky.
Each day can bring a new range of exceptional activities including spa treatments, 4×4 excursions, a private castle tour with Edward Maitland-Carew whose family have lived in the castle for over 400 years, or a tailored tour of the very best attractions in the Scottish Borders. For those who want to immerse themselves in country pursuits, why not try your hand at horse riding over the Border moors, fishing on the famous River Tweed or clay pigeon shooting.
Several dining experiences can be included in your itinerary, and depending on your length of stay you may enjoy a decadent afternoon tea in the Rose Garden, a BBQ in the castle’s courtyard, lunch in the estate bothy, or even dinner in one of the Scottish Border’s michelin guide restaurants, located just 20 minutes from the castle.
Every element of your exclusive & bespoke stay at Thirlestane will be tailor-made especially for you to create a truly unforgettable experience.
- Bedrooms: Eight – Three twin/super-king-size, one super-king-size, four king-size. Hairdryers and bathrobes are provided in all bedrooms
- Bathrooms: Eight – Two have a shower only, four have a bath with shower over and two have a free-standing bath with separate shower.
- Also, included with each apartment: Fully-equipped kitchen, 100% Egyptian cotton bed linen, towels, tea towels, large free-view TVs, Roberts digital radios, a selection of books and games, cleaning on departure, Wi-Fi, electricity, water and central heating.
- Exclusive Use: Guests have exclusive access to the castle during their stay. This includes the Victorian Kitchen, Vaulted Cellars and unforgettable dining experiences can be organised in the State Rooms.
- Catering: Our award-winning caterers can provide as many meals as you require ranging from three course dinners to afternoon tea in the Rose Garden – the options are endless. Guests can also self-cater in our Victorian Kitchen which is a wonderful location for relaxed breakfast dining.
- Experiences: We can organise a number of experiences including but not limited to, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding, whisky tasting, archery, falconry, spa treatments, highland games and country pursuits. Every element of your stay is bespoke, so speak to our expert team to organise the best activities for your guests.
- Children: We can provide high chairs and travel cots for younger guests. There is a playpark within the castle grounds – to the path to the left when departing The Courtyard.
- Dogs: We welcome dogs and provide dog biscuits and food bowls.
- Gardens: There is a garden area to the rear of the castle where a selection of garden games are available for guests.
- Walks: There are also woodland and riverside walks within the estate and the grounds are crossed by long-distance path The Southern Upland Way.
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“Thank you all for sharing Thirlestane Castle with us. Our time and celebrations were everything we hoped for and so much more. Spectacular.”
Enhance your stay
Exceptional dining experiences and unforgettable activities can be arranged for your castle stay…
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Helicopter Landing Pad
Fishing on the River Tweed
Whisky Tasting
Highland Games
Bagpipe Experience
Horse Riding
Spa Treatments
Falconry
Archery
Jousting Display
Country Pursuits