The Traitors (UK) and The Traitors (US) are both filmed at Ardross Castle, a 19th-century Scottish Baronial estate located in the Ross-shire region of the Scottish Highlands, approximately 25 miles north of Inverness. While the contestants appear to live within the castle’s stone walls, they actually stay at off-site accommodations—reportedly the Courtyard by Marriott near Inverness Airport—following each day’s filming. International versions of the show utilize diverse global settings, such as The Robertson Hotel in New South Wales for the Australian edition and the De Havixhorst estate for the original Dutch series, De Verraders.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn about the history of the Ardross estate, the specific lochs and forests used for the show’s perilous missions, and how you can experience the Traitors’ lifestyle in the Highlands without actually being banished. We will also explore the international “clones” of the castle and the logistical secrets behind the world’s most popular reality thriller.
Ardross Castle: The Main Stage
Ardross Castle serves as the atmospheric heart of the British and American versions of the show. Built in the late 1700s as a hunting lodge for the 1st Duke of Sutherland, it was later redesigned in the mid-1800s by Sir Alexander Matheson, who transformed it into the grand Scots Baronial fortress seen today.
The castle is situated on over 100 acres of private parkland on the banks of the River Alness. While the interior scenes—including the iconic Round Table and the Traitors’ nocturnal turret meetings—are filmed within the castle’s restored Great Hall and drawing rooms, the estate is primarily a private wedding and corporate event venue, not a hotel.
The Dramatic Arrival Station
Every season begins with contestants arriving via a vintage steam train, a sequence filmed at the Boat of Garten Railway Station. This heritage station is part of the Strathspey Railway, located within the scenic Cairngorms National Park.
The station provides a nostalgic, cinematic entry point that sets the tone for the series’ mystery. Fans of the show can actually book tickets on the Strathspey Railway to experience the same misty Highland arrival, though the Traitors-themed 4x4s are usually reserved for the production crew.
Missions at Loch Glass
Many of the show’s high-stakes water-based challenges take place at Loch Glass, a remote body of water situated a short drive from Ardross Castle. The loch’s dark, deep waters and surrounding mist-covered hills provide the “perilous” environment required for the show’s physical tasks.
Loch Glass is famous for the “Pink House” (Culzie Lodge) on its banks, which often appears in the background of drone shots. The loch is part of a wider landscape of over 30,000 freshwater lochs in Scotland, contributing to the sense of isolation and paranoia that defines the series.
International Filming Locations
While the UK and US versions share the Scottish Highlands, other international iterations choose locations that reflect their own national heritage. The franchise relies on “character-driven” architecture to maintain the gothic, high-stakes atmosphere across different cultures.
| Version | Primary Filming Location | Location Type |
| UK / US | Ardross Castle, Scotland | 19th-Century Baronial Estate |
| Australia | The Robertson Hotel, NSW | 1920s Historic Manor |
| Netherlands | De Havixhorst, Meppel | Chateau-style Estate |
| France | Château de Biron, Dordogne | Medieval Fortress |
| Czech Republic | Křivoklát Castle | Gothic Royal Castle |
Where the Cast Actually Sleeps
Despite the edited footage showing contestants retiring to their “rooms” at night, they do not stay in Ardross Castle. For security and logistical reasons, the players are transported by blackened-out 4x4s to the Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport.
This allows the production team to conduct “the murder” sequences and the Traitors’ meetings in the castle late at night without the Faithful overhearing. The celebrities in the 2025/2026 editions also utilized this off-site arrangement, maintaining the strict separation required to prevent “game-talk” outside of filming hours.
Primary Filming Location
Ardross Castle stands as the central hub for The Traitors, hosting breakfast roundtables, banishment ceremonies, and nighttime murders in its opulent interiors. Built in 1846 by architect Alexander Davidson for the McTaggart family—who still own it today—the castle features Scottish Baronial architecture with towering turrets and stone walls that amplify the show’s tension. Only about a quarter of the estate is used for filming, leaving ample space for custom challenge setups like mazes and graveyards.
The castle’s isolation enhances the paranoia theme, as contestants are cut off from the outside world amid rolling hills and dense forests. Production teams transform manicured gardens into obstacle courses, with peacocks roaming freely as natural extras. This setup has remained consistent since season 1, making Ardross synonymous with the franchise.
Castle History and Ownership
Ardross Castle originated as a hunting lodge in the 18th century before its major rebuild in the mid-1800s. The McTaggart family purchased it in the early 1980s, restoring it into a private venue for events while leasing it for high-profile TV productions like The Traitors. Its location on the River Alness provides a moody, misty ambiance ideal for the show’s psychological thriller vibe.
Ownership by the McTaggarts ensures privacy, with strict non-disclosure agreements for staff and limited public access. The family has hosted weddings and corporate retreats here, but The Traitors’ bookings—often back-to-back seasons—dominate the calendar. Historical photos show the castle’s evolution from Victorian grandeur to modern media hotspot.
Grounds and Outdoor Challenges
The 100+ acres of parkland host most physical missions, including shield hunts and poison pours amid follies and woodlands. A custom-built graveyard appears in celebrity editions, with headstones for “murdered” players adding gothic flair. The River Alness edges the property, used for water-based tasks that test endurance in chilly Highland weather.
Producers leverage the terrain’s natural barriers—hills, a private church, and loch views—for varied challenges renewed each season. Peacocks and wildlife create unpredictable moments caught on camera. These outdoor spaces make episodes visually dynamic, contrasting the castle’s stuffy interiors.
Key Outdoor Features
Rolling parkland offers space for large-scale setups like hay bale mazes or flag captures. The front folly serves as a dramatic vantage for helicopter arrivals. Dense tree lines hide armory caches, heightening suspense.
Weather plays a role, with Scottish rain and wind adding realism to nighttime scenes. Crews build temporary structures seasonally, dismantling them post-filming to preserve the estate.
Interior Filming Spots
Inside, the breakfast room’s long oak table seats 20+ contestants for daily briefings and accusations. Dimly lit roundtable chambers host traitor selections and banishments, with candlelight and portraits fostering distrust. Bedrooms are lavish, featuring four-poster beds where “murders” occur via envelopes under pillows.
Kitchens and drawing rooms double as strategy hubs, with fireplaces crackling during tense whispers. Production dresses are set minimally to retain authenticity, using existing antiques. Staircases and hallways amplify chases and reveals.
Iconic Rooms Breakdown
The armory displays shields and armor, tying into missions. Library shelves hide clues. The billiard room hosts casual betrayals over games. Each room’s acoustics enhance Claudia Winkleman’s whispers or Alan Cumming’s monologues. Lighting crews adjust for perpetual twilight moods.
Filming by Season
Season 1 UK aired in 2022 after May filming, introducing Ardross to viewers. US season 1 followed in 2023, with Peacock crews adapting the same layouts. Season 2 UK shot in September 2023, refining outdoor challenges amid autumn foliage.
Season 3 UK captured summer 2024 vibes, while season 4 and Celebrity Traitors filmed back-to-back in summer 2025. US seasons maintain the site, with minor tweaks like expanded graveyards. Filming spans 3-4 weeks per series, overlapping minimally.
Season-Specific Changes
Early seasons focused on interiors; later ones expanded outdoors post-COVID protocols. Celebrity editions add luxury touches like champagne toasts. 2026 rumors hint at potential new wings unlocked. Crew scales up for US casts, importing props from stateside. Weather delays are rare due to indoor backups.
UK vs US Versions
Both versions film at Ardross, but UK emphasizes psychological depth in castle nooks, while US amps physicality on grounds. Claudia Winkleman hosts UK with cloaks; Alan Cumming brings Scottish flair to the US. Shared sets allow cross-pollination of challenges.
UK seasons air on BBC; US on Peacock, with global streaming boosting tourism. Production budgets differ—US higher for celebs—but location costs remain fixed via long-term deals.
Production Logistics
Crews arrive weeks early, scouting with drones for challenge viability. Helicopters ferry contestants, filmed for arrivals. Catering feeds 100+ daily, with vegan options for casts. Security is tight; no phones allowed, monitored by guards. Post-filming, sets revert quickly. Local hires from Inverness handle tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the “Floating Coffin” mission filmed?
The dramatic floating coffin challenge from the start of the 2026 season was filmed on Loch Glass. While the loch is real, the jetty and the “lake-side graveyard” were temporary sets built specifically for the production.
Can I visit Ardross Castle in 2026?
Currently, the castle website states they have no availability for 2026 or 2027. The estate remains strictly private and is not open for public tours. Fans are encouraged to view the castle from public footpaths at Wester Lealty to avoid trespassing.
Who won the 2026 UK civilian series?
The Season 4 finale aired in early 2026. [Note: Specific winner details are often protected by spoilers, but the season was noted for the “Secret Traitor” mechanic which disrupted the typical endgame.]
Is there a Celebrity Traitors Season 2?
Yes, following the success of the first series, a second celebrity season has been greenlit for Autumn 2026, with rumors already circulating about a cast featuring major UK stage and screen icons.
Which hotel do the US contestants stay in?
Like their UK counterparts, the US cast stays at the Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport. The proximity to the airport allows for easy logistical transport of the large international crew.
Final Thoughts
The mystery of The Traitors has only deepened with the introduction of new twists and a celebrity culture that has embraced the Highland setting. The show’s success has transformed Ardross Castle from a hidden Highland gem into a global icon of suspense, despite the irony that no contestant actually spends the night within its walls.
The “Traitors economy” in the Highlands is thriving, with local tourism and production infrastructure reaching record heights. Whether you are a fan of Claudia Winkleman’s knitwear or Alan Cumming’s theatrical flair, the enduring appeal of the show lies in its perfect marriage of ancient, atmospheric architecture and modern, psychological gameplay.
To Read More: Manchester Independent