Each morning inside The Traitors castle in the Scottish Highlands, contestants gather for breakfast. Celebrities like Olympic figure skaters (and best friends) Tara Lipsinki and Johnny Weir, Real Housewives stars Lisa Rinna and Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Love Island alumnus Rob Rausch munch on croissants around Ardross Castle’s now iconic L-shaped wooden dining table and discover which of their beloved (or despised) housemates was murdered the night before. Well, not actually murdered, but nevertheless, their time on The Traitors has ended. The reality competition show—hosted by the elegant and brooding Alan Cumming (and his adorable rescue dog sidekick Lala)—sees reality stars and other notable figures (like singer-songwriter and GQ Korea’s 2016 man of the year, Eric Nam) battle to win a cash prize of $250,000.
On the first night of the diabolical competition show, contestants sat around another iconic table in The Traitors universe—the round table—while Cumming repeatedly circled, and then tapped on a few shoulders. These chosen players became the Traitors, while those who remained untouched were given the role of Faithfuls. Each night, the cast of celebrities “banishes” one of their own in the hopes of catching a Traitor. If any Traitors make it until the end, they’ll be rewarded with all of the prize money. Drama, deceit, and fierce gameplay are the hallmarks of each episode.
It’s only fitting that such a metaphorically murderous show would take place in a setting that’s to die for. Some viewers may be distracted by viral moments, like the contestants battling for smoked salmon or overall-wearing breakout star Rausch devouring a hard boiled egg whole like a snake, but we couldn’t help but notice the castle’s stunning and historical interiors. Below, we share everything you need to know about the history of Ardross Castle, its architecture, and The Traitors set design.
The castle was once home to a Worcestershire sauce heir
The Ardross Castle has a storied past, and a deed that has frequently changed hands. Nestled along the banks of the River Alness, the 60,000-acre Ardross estate was originally purchased by the First Duke of Sutherland in the late 1700s, then sold to Sir Alexander Matheson in 1845. Matheson, with the help of architect Alexander Ross, began to develop the Scottish baronial style estate now known as Ardross Castle. In 1898, Ardross was sold again to businessman C. W. Dyson Perrins—who, coincidentally, was the grandson of the creator of Worcestershire sauce—and like the previous owner, continued to build upon the property with improvements like the introduction of electricity and the addition of the formal garden. The property continued to be broken up and sold until it reached the hands of the current owners, the McTaggart family, in 1983. Today, the castle and its grounds are used as a venue for weddings and events, in addition to being a filming location for the US and UK versions of The Traitors.
The architecture is fit for a queen
The castle’s Scots baronial style puts it in good company with the likes of the royal family’s Balmoral Castle (thought to be the late Queen Elizabeth’s favorite royal home) and Edinburgh’s Cockburn Street (widely assumed as the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley). Scottish baronial architecture was part of the 19th-century Gothic Revival and utilized structures and ornamentation that harkened back to the Renaissance period in Scotland. Buildings of this style were often made of stone and could be identified by their elaborate asymmetrical rooflines, tourelles, and battlements with machicolations—all of which can be seen enveloping the façade of Ardross Castle. Tourelles, a type of turret, were historically used for military purposes—suitably, this is where the titular Traitors come to plot their next murder. It is no surprise that an architecture style with such devious roots would make a perfect backdrop for the cutthroat reality series.
Bits of movie magic are everywhere
The Traitors’ production design team is led by Mathieu Weekes, who is no rookie to the reality-competition-show game. Having designed for shows like Squid Game: The Challenge, Love Island, and Too Hot to Handle, Weekes’s expertise is exhibited through the exquisitely curated interiors of Ardross Castle—which look like they could have been pulled out of a fantastical 19th-century themed version of the board-game-based movie Clue. “The starting point for the furniture and dressing was inspired by films like Knives Out and Clue. The quirkier, weirder, and darker, the better,” Weekes tells AD. Textiles like lush velvet and distressed chestnut-toned leather and colors like wine reds and jewel tones fill the spaces and create a decadent setting.
While some parts of the set were constructed completely for the show, most on-camera areas are a triumphant blend of existing architecture and scenic builds. Ornate banisters and molding customary of the baronial style lay the groundwork, while decor additions like an antique globe bar cart with a compass design on its base provide thoughtful nods that only eagle-eyed fans may notice.
This seamless merging of set design and original architecture can be seen in the room where the roundtable discussions take place, the castle’s Great Hall. Because the room was “too open and spacious,” Weekes says, “we had to introduce a design that would belong and enhance the existing architecture of the Great Hall, while ramping up the intensity and drama of a banishment.” Not to mention, Weekes and team had to work to hide numerous camera operators and crew members in the process. By incorporating molded wood paneling in the background of these scenes, they were able to create a more intimate space where it feels like only Cumming is watching.
The entire set is one big Easter egg hunt
Unidentifiable as a prop or original architecture, the phrase “Prope amicos tene,” Latin for “Keep your friends close,” appears in the scullery, a detail that can be seen as guidance (or a warning) to the celebrity contestants. It’s also no coincidence that The Traitors set includes a piece of furniture featuring an animal known for being a sneaky and skilled hunter: a spotted panther coffee table evocative of Giovanni Ronzan. While design-minded sleuths can pick out these details and assign allegorical meaning to them, there are other subtle hints throughout the show as well. After fans on social media caught on to the fact that the trinkets hidden in the interview sets during season one were clues hinting at future missions, Weekes introduced different Easter eggs for season two, but remains mysterious about where they appear. “I won’t divulge what we did, but they are there hiding in plain sight for the viewer to find.”
FAQ:
Where is The Traitors castle?
The Traitors is filmed at Ardross Castle in Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands. The baronial-style castle sits along the River Alness, about 30 miles north of Inverness.
Does the cast of The Traitors sleep in the castle?
No. According to an interview with host Alan Cumming in The Daily Beast, the cast does not sleep in the ornate castle bedrooms shown on the show. Rather, the cast spend their nights snoozing (or restless) at the Courtyard by Marriott in Inverness. Cumming even joked: “How glamorous—you come to Scotland and you stay in the Inverness airport hotel.”
Who owns The Traitors castle?
The castle and estate are owned by the McTaggart family, who purchased the property in 1983. They subsequently restored the gardens and lawns and made substantial renovations to the castle.
Can you stay at The Traitors castle?
Unfortunately, Ardross Castle is not a hotel nor is it open to the public. Your best bet for landing a slumber party at this fortress would be to start planning a destination wedding to the Scottish Highlands, as the castle can be booked as a wedding venue. It is also available to reserve for corporate or private events and as a filming location, as seen in both the US and UK versions of The Traitors.
How much does a wedding at Ardross Castle cost?
According to The Times, the starting cost for a wedding package at Ardross Castle is around £45,000—or roughly $60,500. If you’re ready to say “I do,” the castle can accommodate 41 guests, typically for two nights. However, interested couples should be prepared for a long engagement, as with the growing popularity of the show, the venue is currently booked up until 2028.
