For most people, the term castle conjures up a vision
of a home of fairy tale proportions.Indeed, such fantastic residences
still exist in the year 2001. Fires roaring in huge ornate open fireplaces,
antique filled great rooms, opulent bedrooms,
banquet halls, private chapels, hundreds of acres of private parks, horseback
riding
stables, private pools, tennis courts and impeccably trained staffs make
these legendary palaces the ultimate luxury vacation option. One of five
wonderful Scottish Castles retreats, Ackergill Castle, a twenty-five
bedroom medieval castle is perched on the edge of the sea. Its superb
staff assures guests of excellence. Another, Balfour Castle, a six bedroom
castle on the Orkney Islands is seventy acres of quintessential Victorian,
complete with original furniture, fixtures and fittings. Castle Lachlan,
a seven bedroom majestic residence, is set on 1,500 private acres and
situated on the shore of Loch Fyne. Dating back to the 18th Century, it
is one of Scotland’s most exclusive retreats with three miles of
coastline, private roads and woodlands. Built in 1320, Duns Castle, is
a fourteen bedroom, timeless Scottish Castle that has been in the hands
of the present owners since 1696. The ultimate Gothic baronial mansion,
Glen House, is a twenty-two bedroom secluded estate in the heart of the
beautiful border countryside. Historically interesting and boldly furnished,
log fires in all of the reception rooms create a warm and sumptuous atmosphere.
Harburn, a beautifully maintained Georgian mansion overlooks Scotland’s
fabled lakes and Pentland Hills. Elegant and comfortable, offering ten
bedrooms, it is furnished in a splendid and delightful fashion. Then traveling
on to Austria, one can find the 12th Century splendor of Schloss Wasserburg,
a remarkable nine bedroom romantic Baroque castle surrounded by a moat
filled with ducks and fish. Thoroughbred horses graze in its surrounding
private park. Indulge your fantasy and spend some time in one of these
idyllic retreats... you’ll never forget the experience.
