At this time of the year, much of the Northern Hemisphere will be associated with large quantities of water, with the late winter rainfall and the grey clouds it falls from, but of course in the right circumstances water can create some quite stunning scenes.

In the first part of our feature, we take a look at five water associated castle locations in Scotland…

Aldourie Castle

Loch Ness is the deepest loch in Scotland, with the depths plunging as low as 230 m (755 ft) at its deepest point. Indeed, Loch Ness contains more fresh water than every lake in England and Wales combined! It’s also, of course, famous for the legendary “Nessie”, believed to be the source of many alleged monster sightings in the loch since the 1930s.

There is only one habitable castle along the shores of Loch Ness and, of course, it’s one you can enjoy for yourself! Available for group bookings of up to 28 people, Aldourie is a luxurious venue within easy reach of Inverness airport. Staff are on hand to fulfil just about any requirement you might have, and a variety of outdoor activities are available in and around the Loch Ness area.

2 nights’ exclusive hire of Aldourie starts at £10,500.

www.celticcastles.com/castles/aldourie-castle

Castle Lachlan

Moving south through Scotland, Loch Fyne is the longest of the “sea lochs” along the west coast of Argyll and Bute. Being a salt water loch, dolphins, otters and seals, plus occasionally basking sharks, can be found in its waters during the summer months. The area is also famous for its oysters, with Loch Fyne produce being served in restaurants throughout the UK.

Along the east coast of Loch Fyne stands Castle Lachlan. Lachlan can again be hired for groups, but is sold on a self catering basis, making it ideal for a relaxed short break with family and friends. The accommodation sleeps 13 people comfortably, however, additional beds can be added if required, sleeping up to a maximum of 15.

7 night stays at Castle Lachlan are available from £2250, with 3 night stays costing £1975 throughout the year.

www.celticcastles.com/castles/lachlan

Stonefield Castle

Travelling over to the west coast of Loch Fyne and down the famous Kintyre peninsula, you will discover Stonefield Castle Hotel. The castle offers some of the most breathtaking views of any castle featured on our website, from its commanding position above the waters. A large percentage of the castle’s 32 bedrooms offer loch views, with the Castle Principal Rooms proving particularly popular. These rooms are located in the original part of the building and are larger rooms, decorated in a traditional style, often incorporating four poster beds. Celtic Castles are also able to offer a special seafood package, allowing you to sample the best of the local catches (more details can be found here: www.celticcastles.com/castles/stonefield/html/rooms.html)

Loch View Rooms are available at Stonefield Castle from 120 pounds per night (based on 2 people sharing). Castle Principal Rooms are available from 180 pounds per night (based on 2 people sharing). All rates include bed and breakfast.

www.celticcastles.com/castles/stonefield

Culzean Castle

Continuing to move down Scotland, into the south west of the country, you will find Culzean Castle, perched magnificently above the Firth of Clyde. The firth is a large coastal water, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Kintyre Peninsula, containing many islands to explore.

Culzean Castle itself is a spectacular National Trust owned building. The lower floors are composed of an extensive tourist attraction where visitors can learn about the history of the castle. The upper floor is a private area known as the Eisenhower Apartments, containing 6 bedrooms that can be booked either individually, or for groups of up to 12 adults. There is also a shared drawing room for guests to enjoy as well as the dining room. Many of the rooms in the Eisenhower Apartment offer full or partial views over the firth, as do a large amount of rooms throughout the rest of the castle.

Rooms can be booked at Culzean Castle from 225 pounds per night, based on 2 people sharing, for bed and breakfast.

www.celticcastles.com/castles/culzean

Stobo Castle

Located quite far inland in Southern Scotland, Stobo Castle might not seem like the most obvious selection for this piece. The River Tweed runs close by, but the main reason for mentioning it is that whilst the other castles featured here allow you to explore natural lochs and coastal areas, sometimes it’s good to relax in comfort in a heated swimming pool!

Stobo Castle is a luxury health spa, offering a wide variety of treatments and facilities for guests to enjoy. There is a wide selection of rooms with views over the surrounding countryside, many with twin beds to allow friends to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the castle together.

The spa includes a stunning 25m ozone-treated swimming pool, where you can enjoy a swim, be it before your facial or after a massage!

Stays at Stobo Castle are available from £155 per person, including dinner, bed and breakfast, unlimited use of the health suites, use of all the facilities and the extensive exercise programme.

www.celticcastles.com/castles/stobo-castle/