Craigietocher Tower

9.8Nr Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

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Phill Plevey has a deep knowledge and passion for Scottish castles. After struggling to find a suitable restoration project, he decided to build his own authentic reproduction of a 16th-century tower house. Set in the midst of thick woodland at the end of a private 500-metre-long drive, Craigietocher Tower was built over 10 years and completed in 2018.

Your Hosts

You will be the guests of Phill and Meryl who were responsible for this extraordinary project. Eager to share their experiences, they'll personally guide you through the property, offering fascinating insights into each room's story and unveiling the challenges and triumphs of undertaking such a grand design. They'll also provide exclusive glimpses into the future plans for Craigietocher Tower!

A Haven From the Hustle and Bustle of Modern Life

Hidden by trees, rendered in a pink lime-wash harl, and featuring steps up to its arched castle door, the crenellated tower offers tree-top views over wild waters and, beyond, a rustic farmland landscape. Despite appearances, it is conveniently accessible, just under an hour’s drive from the historic city of Aberdeen, with its national travel links.

Craigietocher Tower

Craigietocher Tower boasts gorgeous interiors sympathetically designed in line with its chosen era. It offers guests a slice of tranquillity, a haven from the hustle and bustle of modern life. A small decking area overlooking the lakelets, featuring outdoor dining furniture and a heater, provides a scenic spot to experience al fresco dining in the Scottish wilderness. The paintings on the ceiling of the Lairds Room show all of the Scottish monarchs, starting with Keneth MacAlpin, 843-858 to Charles II, 1649-1651.

Winner of the prestigious "Construction Project of the Year" at the Trades Awards 2020.

Accommodation

This fortified tower is let on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Two rooms are available to guests, one four-poster room with its own dedicated bathroom and an en-suite room which can be either a super-king double or 2x 3ft single beds.

The grand four-poster bed features beautiful ornate detailing in solid wood and is draped in regal red curtains, a colour which is then complemented with accents across the room. A welcoming wood-burning stove sits beneath sketches of historic houses. Come morning, open the thick wooden shutters and welcome the fresh air and enchanting woodland vista over a hot cup of coffee.

A delicious continental breakfast is served in the characterful ground-floor dining room.

The Great Hall is a high room filled with natural daylight that flows through large stone archways to create a warm ambiance within its central space. Guests are welcome to join Phill and Meryl in the Great Hall at any time.

Guests will have exclusive use of the Laird's Room and wall walk/open rounds (no unaccompanied children).

With its ornately patterned 16th-century painted ceiling, its authenticity is highlighted through a huge stone fireplace, cast-iron chandeliers and storytelling wall tapestries. Plenty of slouchy seating adorned in customary Scottish red tartan fabric will invite you to relax by the fire with a nightcap or a hot chocolate after a bracing walk.

The Area

Craigietocher Tower is the perfect base from which to appreciate the very best of Scotland on your doorstep and the owners will be happy to point you in the direction of things to see and do. Phill and Meryl are very much castle enthusiasts and will be happy to share snippets of history and stories from some of the castles in the local area. Phill has also written a book documenting 50 castles to visit, signed copies of which can be purchased at the castle.

From its rural location on the outskirts of Turriff town, explore the extensive array of castles of Aberdeenshire, as well as a massive choice of whiskey distilleries and the stunning beaches of Cruden Bay.

The luxury tower accommodation is just 35 miles north-west of the historic city of Aberdeen. Known as the ‘Granite City’ it offers a welcomed contrast to your country hideaway, with its wealth of attractions – including museums, galleries and gardens – and stunning grey-stone architecture. Notably, Aberdeen features excellent national and international travel links, making it truly accessible from anywhere in the world!

The lush landscape surrounding Craigietocher Tower gives way south west to the misty peaks of the Caingorms National Park, offering a wealth of stunning walks with incredible vistas across Aberdeenshire. Above, there is the busy North Sea coast featuring dramatic cliff tops and sandy beaches.

The historic, rural town of Turriff lays on the River Deveron, about 166 feet above sea level. The 900-year-old town offers glorious coastal trails and country walks.

Prices

Craigietocher Castle is sold on a breakfast basis. The first night is priced at £150 per room, per night, with any subsequent nights priced at £125 per room, per night. One additional bed can be added to the four-poster room which is suitable for a child up to 12 years of age. The additional bed is charged at £15 per child, per night. A baby cot to suit a child up to 18 months old is also available at no additional charge.

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Location

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Craigietocher Tower is located on the outskirts of Turriff, 35 miles from Aberdeen. Glasgow and Edinburgh are approximately 3 hours away by road.

Reviews

9.8

David, United StatesAmazing experience and the absolute highlight of our trip to Scotland. The rooms and breakfast were top notch, but the tower house, grounds, and all the knowledge from Phill and Meryl about their building process and how it mirrors historical practices rounds out the entire experience in an incredible way. We’re a family of four with two young boys and we legitimately felt like family, so welcoming was the environment. Cannot recommend enough and we hopefully will return again in the future.
Lauren, United KingdomAbsolutely amazing, Phill and Meryl were so welcoming, great stay we have had. The rooms were cozy, comfortable and warm. The bathrooms were modern and contained everything we needed for the few nights we Stayed. Phill was also a very knowledgeable host, happy to share his knowledge and give lots of great details about the build and history. Honestly 11/10 stars! We will definitely be back!
Silje, NorwayWe are a family of four, two adults and two children who traveled to Scotland for the autumn holidays. We wanted to get an insight into Scottish history and wanted to try staying in a castle while we were there. We booked into Craigietocher Tower and from the first moment it was a positive impression. We received an email from Phill with information and tips, itinerary so that the journey to the castle was without problems. When we arrived at the castle we were warmly welcomed by Phill and Meryl and given a tour of the castle. The bedrooms were spacious, clean, nice, the bathrooms were tiled and the floor heated. There is a consistently high standard throughout the castle and you get the best of both worlds. The story of how the castle was built is exciting, the commitment and determination that Phill and Meryl have shown throughout the process is impressive. The area around the castle with forest, ponds, birds, cats and dogs living their best life, it's a wonderful atmosphere that puts you in a good mood. Our children were able to take part in bringing all the animals in there house for the evening, an experience they will not soon forget. The whole family welcomed us warmly and we felt like we were visiting family. We thank you for your warme welcome and can highly recommend others to take the trip to Craigietower Tower, it is an experience of a lifetime.
Nigel, MaltaA Memorable Stay at the Tower House in Scotland I recently enjoyed staying at a remarkable tower house in Scotland and cannot recommend it highly enough. Hosts Phil and Maryl were exceptionally warm and welcoming, making us feel at home upon arrival. The tower is a stunning work of art, crafted entirely by the owners over a decade. It is designed to echo the grandeur of a 16th-century tower house while offering all the comforts of the 21st century. We enjoyed heated flooring, a comfortable ensuite, a cosy bedroom with a large TV, and a spacious walk-in closet. A hidden lift for our luggage added an extra touch of convenience. Our accommodations occupied an entire floor, ensuring complete privacy. The craftsmanship is evident in every detail, from the intricately designed ceiling to the meticulously replicated fireplace, reminiscent of those found in historic towers. Phil passionately shared stories about the decor, including the types of arms used during that era, and pointed out a fascinating hole in the wall where the Laird would discreetly observe guests in the grand hall. The roaring fire enhanced the ambience and the delightful company of Phil, Maryl, their charming cats, and Milo, the dog. This tower was not only built with care but also designed with safety in mind, featuring secret passages for emergencies, ensuring a secure and comfortable stay. Set against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes, the tower is surrounded by a menagerie of ducks, geese, peacocks, and more, creating a peaceful and picturesque atmosphere. This is not merely a place to rest your feet during your travels; it’s an experience that invites you to linger. Our only regret was that we could only stay for two nights—this enchanting retreat deserves at least five. A heartfelt thank you to Phill, Meryl, and Catherine for your incredible hospitality and for sharing your passions and knowledge with us. We left with cherished memories and a longing to return.

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