Located about 6.5 miles (10 km) northeast of Inverness on the banks of the Moray Firth, Castle Stuart offers you a unique look at Scottish history and modern seaside recreation. The land was originally granted to the 1st Earl of Moray by his half-sister, Mary, Queen of Scots, after her 1561 return to Scotland. Following the successive murders of both the 1st Earl and his son-in-law, the 2nd Earl, the grandson—the 3rd Earl of Moray—finally completed this restored tower house in 1625.
While it initially flourished, the property fell into disuse as the fortunes of the House of Stuart sank during the English Civil War and the 1649 execution of King Charles I. After sitting derelict for 300 years, Castle Stuart was restored and now serves visitors as a luxury hotel. Outside the castle, you can experience its premier seaside links golf course along the Moray Firth, which opened in 2009.
Co-designed by managing partner Mark Parsinen and architect Gil Hanse, this acclaimed course was voted Best New Golf Course by Golf magazine and went on to host the prestigious Scottish Open in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016.
What to see at Castle Stuart
- Restored tower house now operating as a luxury hotel
- Historic land granted in 1561 by Mary, Queen of Scots
- Seaside links golf course co-designed by Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse
- Voted Best New Golf Course by Golf magazine after opening in 2009
- Host venue for the Scottish Open in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016
Visiting tips
Stay at the restored tower house to experience a luxury hotel with deep historical connections to Mary, Queen of Scots.
How long: 2-4 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Castle Stuart is easy to reach on Inverness’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Inverness Castle and Eden Court Theatre. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Inverness travel guide.
See the full Inverness travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.