As I drive down towards Aldourie Castle, I can see the chandeliers shining in every room, inviting us in. Loch Ness shimmers in the background and I am looking forward to my stay at this Scottish Highland castle. The castle was built in 1626, the north wing and turrets added in 1850 and the whole building restored in the early 1900’s. Now in 2010 the castle has a new keeper, Roger Tempest.

At the turn of the last century, Iain Cameron and his mother had to sell the castle after it had been in her family for over 300 years. The property was too costly to run as a private home. Their big challenge when downsizing was what to do, for instance, with the thousands of books in the library (including many written by their ancestors) and the hundreds of paintings on the walls of the great hall and the gallery, not to mention the heaps more in the attic rooms.

Sad though this was for the Camerons, I believe these properties exist for a reason, and also are found at the right time by extraordinary people who bring them back to life. Aldourie has been a big part of Roger’s life for over eight years now, ever since he took over initially on behalf of his US clients, Cliffs Legacy Club, which specialises in environmentally aware tourism developments. Two years later, the Americans sold their interest to Roger’s company, Rural Concepts. The transformation began.

Back home in Yorkshire, Roger Tempest is the 31st generation of a family who have never moved from their ancestral home at Broughton Hall near Skipton. He fully understands the Camerons’ plight and Aldourie’s historic family ties are not forgotten. Roger keeps in regular contact with Judy and Iain Cameron, the widow and son of the previous owner, Colonel Angus Cameron.

In fact, this a trait that Roger has; he connects with people very naturally, he makes everyone feel very special about their part in the castle, he knows everyone by name and his child-like enthusiasm and energy are infectious. Roger just wants people who stay in the castle to make it their home. He is one of life’s radiators!

Roger is very down to earth, he views himself less as a laird and more as a custodian. Of Aldourie, he says “I’m just part of its history. I’ll do my bit and then somebody else will come along and carry the baton on. I’ve always thought that heritage and environment should be there to be enjoyed. Life’s tough, but you’ve got to be able to appreciate beauty and human endeavour.” This has been an amazing transformation, and what I love about the castle is the attention to detail; it is not stuffy, it is relaxed, and I have never seen this eye for detail before in a castle in Scotland.

Aldourie is located on the less travelled side of Loch Ness, a perfect location just north of the village or Dores. In fact the castle estate, about 500 acres, leads right to the edge of the village and can be seen from the main tourist route on the western side of the loch. If you want easy access to Scotland and the Highlands, hop on a short flight from London and you are there. The castle is only a short drive from Inverness Airport (20 minutes), giving you amazing access to the west of Scotland, the Cairngorm mountains and, of course, your very own private boat trip on the famous loch itself. This boat trip can be arranged by the exceptional management team, who run the property, priced from £350.

The castle achieved international fame in 1996 when it hosted a celebrity party following the premiere of film “Loch Ness” starring Ted Danson and Joely Richardson. It has moved on since then.

Roger sees the restored castle as another 5 star jewel to add to the natural beauties of the area and this is a castle that not just the locals can be proud of, Scotland should be too. Roger is an expert in the new use of old buildings; it is his big thing and he is good at it.

“Aldourie is not a hotel, it is not a private members’ club and it is not a National Trust property,” Roger stresses, “this is a Highland home that you can make your own and can really engage with.” One of the nice things about the property is its flexibility, it’s yours for the time you are there.

Stay for a weekend, a week, or even a month and enjoy the ultimate house party; the freedom of an entire castle and estate in one of the world’s most iconic locations. For private house parties, celebrations, a business event or even just to get away from it all, Aldourie provides a magical environment on an exclusive basis.

£10,500 plus VAT, for 2 nights – £210 per person per night including VAT.
£15,000 plus VAT, for 3 nights – £200 per person per night including VAT.
£21,000 plus VAT, for 7 nights – £120 per person per night including VAT.

Prices include accommodation and exclusive use of the castle, sleeping small or large parties from two to thirty people.

There is additional accommodation within the grounds of the estate, which can sleep up to a further fifteen people, for an additional charge.

Food starts at 100 pounds per head, plus VAT, including breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Aldourie’s unique selling features go beyond the lavish interior and spacious grounds and the amazing service. While Urquhart Castle may be the one on the postcards, Roger points out that Aldourie is the only inhabited castle on the shores of Loch Ness and, boy, what a place!

www.celticcastles.com/castles/aldourie-castle