Rent a romantic castle - exclusive use with private chapel.

Bedrooms: 8 Sleeps: 16 Bathroom: 9 Pets welcome

Have an unforgettable stay in a historic fairy-tale castle in Aberdeenshire that dates back to the middle ages and has been graced by the presence of both royalty and Hollywood stars in its many centuries, and is now available for rent for a holiday, wedding or special event. Exclusive use, pet friendly holiday accommodation with walks from the door step in 11 acres of formal gardens and woodland, world class golf, fishing, hiking and distillery tours close by. (Insch Golf Club is only 2 miles away). A large party can have exclusive use of the entire castle or individual wings may also be rented. Just 23 miles from Aberdeen Airport it's the ideal highland retreat for those flying in from major airports around the world. The castle may also be rented as a wedding venue for up to 30 guests.

Lickleyhead Castle, Castle Premnay, Aberdeenshire

The 16th-century Lickleyhead Castle is a Grade A listed historical Fairytale Castle in the heart of Royal Deeside in spectacular woodland estate,close to the Cairngorm National Park. With its five functioning fireplaces and the overpowering scent of woodsmoke that welcomes you as you up the stone staircase, the castle, despite its magnificence, feels very much like a home. The abundance of birds and the sound of rushing water outside create a tranquil environment to relax in, your neighbours will be roe and red deer and do not be too surprised to awaken to see red squirrels feeding on the nuts which we encourage you to leave out for them. If you are very fortunate, your morning alarm call could be the shrill but unmistakable shriek of the Capercaillie, one of the rarest birds in the United Kingdom and Europe. Lickleyhead castle provides a platform from which many local attractions can be explored, and yet is situated in a tranquil woodland setting that allows you also to do nothing at all except enjoy the peace and quiet. It is an ideal base for the serious and pleasure walker alike, the castle backs directly onto Bennachie and no roads to be crossed to reach the summit. This is an ideal location for groups wishing to base themselves for a golfing holiday and a wide range activities in Scotland including skiing, hiking, cycling, fishing and road touring.

Things to do close by include: Dunnideer Castle is visible from within the grounds on a hill to the north-west, it's a medieval ruin that provides a nice walk. Mount Bennachie is directly behind Lickleyhead castle to the south-east, this is great for hinking. The Maiden Stone is a Pictish carved stone that stands a few miles away on the north slope of Bennachie.The Lord's Throat is a natural stone formation where the River Don narrows, the scenery is stunning and a good spot for a picnic a few miles south. Leith Hall and Garden, (National Trust for Scotland) is a few miles from Lickleyhead Castle and has a beautifully maintained high altitude garden with incredible views of Aberdeenshire and the surrounding hills.

There are long sandy beaches along the Aberdeenshire coastline with soaring cliffs and beautiful mountain scenery, Aberdeenshire has so many places in its natural playground for you to explore; Newburgh Seal Beach is on the east coast, it's the closest beach to the castle it also has lots of seals! Glen Garioch Distillery is at the start of the whisky trail, it's a great tour, and very nice whisky. Fyvie Castle is incredible, an absolutely stunning castle built in a similar style to Lickleyhead itself.

Lickleyhead Castle is very close to Insch Golf Club. During the winter, skiing is possible from either the Lecht or Glenshee ski centres, with the Cairngorms accessible also.

Lickleyhead Castle is available for both week, weekend and short breaks in the beautiful countryside that Queen Victoria loved so much, and the present Royal Family still enjoys.

There is a pub in Auchleven called The New Moon, about 5 minutes walk away. The next nearest is the Station Hotel in Insch which is about 3 miles away. The Haughton Arms Hotel in Alford (15 minute drive) is well regarded. For something extra special, The Dog Tap in Ellon serves Brew Dog's world famous beer, while Rothesay Rooms in Ballater offers Michelin standard cuisine.

Pittodrie House Hotel serves Scottish food in a intimate setting just a few miles away. Alford Bistro - has quality pub food

Sleeps - 16
Bedrooms - 8
(5 king size bed, 1 Queen bed, 1 Double bed, 3 single beds)
9 Bathrooms with bath
Private Chapel in castle
Games room, three usable fireplaces, a grand piano, a pool table, a library
Oven
Dishwasher
Washing machine
Microwave
Coffee machine
Smart TV
Free WiFi
Wood fires and full central heating
Travel cot and high chair on request
Large garden
Ample parking for 15 cars
Dogs very welcome
Short breaks welcome

Aberdeen airport - 23 miles
Aberdeen station 30 mins
Inverurie railway station 10 miles
The village of Auchleven nearby has a primary school, pub and village hall.
Insch supermarket - Co-op, restaurant and cafes - 2 miles
There are takeaway places in nearby Insch.
Rainbow is a Chinese takeaway which is better than average.
Indian restaurant called Cafe Mint based out of the Commercial pub.
There are takeaway places in Inverurie
Spice of Life- Delicious Indian restaurant in Inverurie
High Street Fish Bar Inverurie- Best fish and chips you are likely to ever eat.
Lots of golf courses in the area
Insch Golf Club - 4km
E-bike rental
Mountain biking
Fishing
Great walking and cycling from the doorstep
Superb birdwatching
Skiing
Castles, historic houses, gardens
Distilleries - on the Deeside and Speysdie Whisky trail
Wildlife all around

Accommodation:

Lickleyhead Castle can accommodate up to 16 adults and 3 dogs

The Castle has been very comfortably furnished and the hands on owners can arrange an array of activities by arrangement.

Each bedroom has been decorated to reflect the notable era of its previous owners. This includes the Victorian nursery on the top floor and our 16th-century box bedroom, which has become a big hit with our visitors. The 11-acre castle grounds are fascinating to explore and include two burns (streams), rope swings, a broken archway, and a bird hide. We are also located on the lower slopes of Bennachie, which naturally implies that there are many beautiful walks just outside your door.

Downstairs, the main kitchen is large enough to produce a Dickensian feast and well-equipped with both old and contemporary amenities. There are two living spaces: the smaller, paneled room with a wood burner and the larger, grand hall with a massive open fire. The Edwardian Pantry, a small but nevertheless completely functioning kitchen, is available to guests staying in the East Wing. We like to show off our numerous bathrooms, gaming room, ante-room, and chapel. The games room has a pool table which is convertible into a ping pong table. Guests can use the dressing up clothes and costumes. There is also a darts board, numerous board games and some children's toys. Please note that under 18's are not allowed to play darts.

Eight distinct bedrooms, notably the laird's room with its hand-carved Queen Anne four poster bed and the Forbes room with a box bed, are each decorated to reflect a different era in the castle's lengthy history. The bedrooms have blissfully comfortable beds which will ensure that you have an excellent night's sleep and can wake refreshed and ready to start the next day's activities or perhaps to simply sit, relax and enjoy a peace and tranquillity you have only dreamed about.

The garden is well stocked and has far reaching views, there is a large patio area with garden furniture for outdoor eating and a BBQ.

If you need catering the owners can sometimes arrange this. They don't insist that you use their choice of caterers and you can potentially bring in another company if you wish (please check with them about your preference).

There is plenty of parking on site. If you have a car charging cable we have multiple outdoor sockets you can use to charge your vehicle. We ask for a nominal £5 charging fee if you choose to do this to help cover our electricity cost at a time when prices are very high. The closest charging point is in nearby Insch.

We have read reviews from guest who have stayed:
Magical and beautiful. This castle provides the perfect venue for a private party. Each bedroom is beautifully decorated and themed and the different staircases added mystic. We loved the private chapel , props and the big fire in the sitting room. Just exceptional - could not fault it and - highly highly recommend to anyone. Plus a big shout out to James, who answered my many worries and queries and sorted things out for me. This place was a game changer, thank you so much. May 2023

I cannot tell you how amazing this castle is with its beautiful decor, winding turret staircases and a series of individually decorated and designed bedrooms. We and our children loved it. Everything from the woods and gardens to the fire pit area to the gorgeous dining and formal rooms with the biggest fire we could make! This is a properly hidden gem…. April 2023

An unforgettable experience! When else do you have a chance to have a whole CASTLE to yourselves? We had a group of 11 folks traveling to Scotland from the USA to participate in the Dramathon - a trail marathon along the Speyside. Large group accommodations aren't easy to come by in the area, but when we found Lickleyhead Castle, it seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was even better than we thought! Every room has a unique character tied to the history of the castle, the grounds are amazing, James and his family are gracious hosts. The castle is a OLD building, but it has been updated to bring modern comforts while still maintaining the historic character.
James also arranged a falconry demonstration for us - that was truly an epic experience as well. Thank you for being a key unforgettable part of an awesome trip! October 2022

Directions to Lickleyhead Castle:

Aberdeen airport is just 35 miles away.
The village of Auchleven nearby has pub and village hall. The nearby town of Insch ( 2 miles) has 2 supermarkets, restaurants and cafes.

What's included in the rental?

Electricity and heating are included. There are 8 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 9 bathrooms equipped with a bath.

Towels and bed linen are provided.

Basic toiletries, namely shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand soap, are provided. We also supply you with clean towels, fresh linen for the beds and hair dryers in each room. In the kitchen you will find complementary milk, tea and coffee. There is a coffee machine and we provide a reasonable number of pods for this. There is also dried coffee.

Your host, James, will give you a tour of the castle upon your arrival, pointing out interesting features and regaling you with stories of the famous or villainous people and families that have graced these halls. Available between 4pm and 5:30pm on first day.

Cost and availability:

Lickleyhead Castle is rented out throughout the year.

Change over day is flexible - check in from 4pm and departure by 10am.

Short breaks are welcome.

To book this gorgeous historic Scottish castle in Aberdeenshire please click the enquiry button below and see availability and prices.