The Traitors effect: Scottish castles in the spotlight

The Savills Blog

The Traitors effect: Scottish castles in the spotlight

The hit BBC series The Traitors has shone a spotlight on the intrigue and mystery of Scottish castles.

With over 10 million viewers to date, searches on Savills website for castles have surged to over 80,000 per week in the lead-up to tonight's grand finale.

So what makes a castle so captivating?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a castle is both 'a large, typically medieval, fortified building', and 'a magnificent and imposing old mansion'. Two contrasting definitions – so which is it?

From defence to fairytale: the evolution of castles

Castles have evolved considerably over the centuries. Initially built for defence and protection, they started as Norman wooden motte-and-bailey castles (‘motte’ meaning mound, and ‘bailey’ referring to the enclosed courtyard). These structures transformed into square or rectangular stone towers surrounded by high walls. Round towers followed, offering better defence, along with multiple walls. Later, L-shaped castles emerged, and eventually, sophisticated Z-shaped designs took their place.

By the mid-1800s, the romanticised view of castles led many to be transformed into private homes, redesigned in Georgian or Victorian styles. Around this time, imitations of ‘fairytale’ castles began to appear, especially in Scotland, adorned with Scottish baronial-style turrets. To add to the confusion, many homeowners started renaming their country houses 'castles'.

Castles and modern living

Original castles were not designed for modern living. Doorways and windows were smaller, spiral staircases narrower, and living spaces compartmentalised rather than the interconnecting or open-plan layouts preferred today. Remodelling isn't straightforward either, as listed building restrictions apply. Seton Castle (the neoclassical Robert Adam masterpiece pictured here) is the consummate romantic Scottish castle, updated to a superb standard for modern living.

Despite these challenges, the allure of living in a unique piece of history remains strong. Indeed, searches for castles on the Savills website increased by 31% from January to December 2024 compared to the same time frame in 2023. However, the market for castles is niche and rarefied: approximately 10 original castles in Scotland are sold each year, and turreted country mansions are equally sought after.

Clearly, the mystery and intrigue of a Scottish castle – however it's defined – continue to attract those who long to live the romantic dream.

Find out more about Seton Castle in East Lothian which is currently for sale through Savills for offers over £8,000,000.

 

Further information

Contact Jamie Macnab or Jessica Gwyn

 

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