Whether you are gathering a group of old friends for a reunion, assembling the family for a holiday, or taking a choice selection of your nearest and dearest for a celebration, finding a large property to suit your needs is paramount to the success of your holiday.

Big Houses for Big Occasions

For groups of 10 guests or more, you will know that a substantial property is required to accommodate everyone comfortably, preferably something grand, but affordable! Whether your aim is to rent a large property for the weekend, a week or maybe longer, finding a self catering home from home for a large group that ticks all your boxes can seem a little daunting. Fear not! Scotts Castle Holidays offers an eclectic range of large rentals to suit your criteria. From basic but comfortable to luxury accommodation, from stylish and elegant mansions to rugged and magnificent self catering castles, we can find a big holiday house that will give you everything you need for your stay.

A five star venue overlooking Loch Tay

Separate Accommodation

Big Holiday homes tend to be categorised as properties that provide accommodation for at least 10 guests, and the Scotts portfolio offers holiday properties that could sleep up to 30 guests under one roof. We also offer a number of properties where separate estate cottage or lodges can also be hired for additional guests, should you be looking to accommodate more than the capacity of the main property.

Planning Your Group Accommodation

We offer an impressive range of large houses and castles for exclusive self catering hire. Planning is important to help identify the right one for your family and friends. Have a chat with your group to gather ideas so you have a ‘must have’ list and a ‘nice to have’ list. The ‘must have’ list will include the number in the party, the total bedrooms you will need your rental to have to comfortably accommodate your group, the dates of your intended trip and the location that you would like to stay must be established by your party, if location is important. In addition a budget for your intended booking should be planned. You may require the property to provide accommodation and comfortable amenities first and foremost, at a reasonable rate, or if you are booking a once in a life time sojourn, you may be looking to splash out on something more grand and luxurious! What ever your ideas, we will do our best to find you a holiday rental that will keep your whole group happy!

This interior is a stunning example of luxury

Accommodation Format

Larger houses should be able to offer equipment and amenities to suit their size, but it would be worth checking things like the bathroom to bedroom ratio and the number of twin, bunk or double beds to be sure your group can be well accommodated. Big properties can also tend to be spread across a number of floors, and may involve multiple stair cases which may be worth considering if you have elderly guests, or lots of tots!

Most big properties will have a number of reception rooms, ideal for larger groups or groups with children to spread out. Games rooms are usually found too in this type of rental property, offering all sorts of equipment to keep your group entertained during your stay. Pool tables, Billiards and snooker rooms are quite often found in the large castles and mansion style holiday houses too. Most big houses will have significant dining rooms so your group can sit down together and enjoy a meal.

Lots of enormous fun can be had around the pool table and by the bar

Pools, Hot Tubs, Tennis Courts Anyone?

For some added luxury, we have large holiday homes with swimming pools or hot tubs for guests to enjoy, or if you are looking for some onsite activities, a number of our large houses offer tennis courts and large gardens and grounds, just let us know if you would like this factored into your search!

Kids and adults alike will have hours of fun in the swimming pool

You may have something specific in mind; for the traditional ‘wow’ factor property, we have a number of large holiday rentals that can offer that something special for your stay. Whether you’re looking for a sprawling country house or windswept castle, we have a range of unique holiday houses that can offer a certain je ne sais quoi! We can offer large holiday homes with fantastic views, four poster beds, open fires, turnpike stairs and grand pianos. If you want history, we’ve got suits of armour, vaulted ceilings and ghost stories. Despite the fact that these properties are brimming with traditional antiquities and features, most of our holiday homes are able to offer central heating, many have wifi and some have Sky TV to keep you in touch with the real world should you wish!

Treat the family to a stay in this amazing castle

Let’s Celebrate!

If you intend to host a party or a celebration at the house, it is always worth letting us know, we will be able to discuss any particular arrangements that may arise with the owner. Some of our properties are rented for the purpose of family holidays, and some are very well suited to hosting parties and functions, and we will be able to make sure you find the rental house that best suits your needs. Some of our large holiday houses benefit from having spacious dining rooms, ideal for hosting a banquet, some have Great Halls, perfect for a ceilidh, and some have beautiful manicured gardens, just the thing for a garden party. Most owners will be able to assist as much as they can with helping you get the best of the house for your event. Although exclusive use homes are rented on a self-catering basis, the owners may be able assist you with arranging catering services for your party, or additional housekeeping, recommending local providers or local activities for your guests entertainment!

Dine in style in this, and many other stunning banquet style dining rooms

Bring Your Pet

If you think that a Scottish holiday without the attendance of your furry, four legged friend just wouldn’t feel right, Scotts can also factor pet friendly holiday houses into the search, and will be able to highlight large properties that will be happy to accommodate dogs, so nobody needs to be left behind!

Many larger properties are pet friendly – our pets are part of the family!

Anyone for Shooting? Fishing Maybe?

The wild and untamed Scottish Highlands draw a large number of visitors every year, and Scotland offers much by the way of sport for guests to enjoy whilst stay here. If you have gathered a large group and are looking for a day’s entertainment, then consider your location, the season, and the type of thing your guests may enjoy! Seasonally, shooting is available at a large number of places, sometimes it could even be found on the estate of the holiday house you are renting. We offer a selection of shooting and fishing lodges for the enthusiast, but they are not exclusively for these pursuits by any means. They are beautiful properties in spectacular locations, so perfect just for a holiday.

Fishing is found on most rivers

Fishing is found (usually by licence) on most rivers, and ghillies and gamekeepers may be available to assist you with arranging these sports. The advantage of choosing a large mansion house for your holiday is that these services may be available to arrange via the owner. This is worth looking into before you book. We are here to help you find the right accommodation for your party and plans.

Things to do – active pursuits

If you would like to venture alone with your group into the hills, hiking, horse riding and mountain biking is always available, for all year rounders or fair weather visitors and many of our large holiday homes are within easy reach of the Scottish wilderness. If you are looking to rent during the winter months in the mountain regions, skiing can be found on a number of resorts, and nearly every town in Scotland can offer a golf course, including a large number of championship courses. If golf is your game, consider which courses you may like to visit when choosing the location of your large holiday house. With over 550 courses in Scotland, you will have plenty of choice!

With over 550 courses in Scotland, you will have plenty of choice!

Things to do – not so active pursuits

If sport is not quite your thing, Scotland offers a number of attractions suitable for groups that involve less physical activity! Book your special occasion near the Whisky Trail, take in a tour and a dram or two at the nearest distillery! Scotland has over 50 distilleries open for visitors, so you can be sure there will be one not too far from wherever you choose to stay. There are also a large number of grand houses and castles, either privately owned or owned by organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland that are open to the public and will offer visitors an interesting insight into Scottish history and heritage.

Scotland has over 50 distilleries open for visitors

Check out all our large holiday homes in Scotland; planning your next holiday will be hard to resist!

Hot Tub health benefits

It’s commonly believed hot tubs help with minor aches and pains. The warm bubbling water helping to improve circulation, easing pressure on sore joints and muscles, and providing therapeutic massage. All in all, just the sort of occupation that’s required on holiday. Spending time in a hot tub can be a wholly relaxing experience for mind, body and soul. It’s no wonder then that hot tubs have become a popular feature in many of our large Scottish holiday homes. Spending time with loved ones immersed in warm water, can be a great way of bringing family together and connecting with friends. Relationship building within a private, safe place with generally fabulous views all of which does much to restore the senses.

This hot tub is surrounded by stunning Scottish scenery overlooking Loch Lomond

Cool on the outside, warm on the inside

As Scotland isn’t best known for its hot summers, it’s lucky then that soaking in a hot, bubbling spa can feel especially good in colder weather. In fact, there’s something magical in seeing the steam hitting the cold air whilst you’re fully submerged in the heat. A hot tub is a great party accessory, particularly for occasions like Christmas and New Year and milestone birthdays. And the more popular they’re becoming the more discerning holiday home owners are investing in providing one for guests, particularly the large holiday houses who cater well to those sorts of groups.

Overlooking Loch Tay, this hot tub has prime position

If you would like to book a large Scottish holiday home with a hot tub, we’re constantly adding them to our collection so click here to view the latest homes to provide this wonderfully relaxing feature. And as Sylvia Plath once said “there must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them”.

Check out all our large holiday homes in Scotland with Hot tubs

As one of Europe’s favourite holiday destinations, Scotland offers a wide choice of places to stay. From budget campsites to high end hotels with just about everything in between. But what if there are lots of you going and you all want to stay in the same place? Group accommodation in Scotland is easily your best bet. Read on to discover why this option makes every bit of sense for your next holiday.

As spring threatens to burst into technicolour bloom, we’re riding the tide of joy with the addition of these four fabulous castle rentals to our portfolio for 2018. All comfortable homes away from home, they bring an stand-out contribution to the fold and are all strikingly individual. Fancy a stay in a castle with the clan this year? Let us take you on a tour of these large holiday homes in Scotland to help sow that seed a little further.

Four new castle rentals in Scotland for 2018

Pop Art Country House, Kingdom of Fife

Scotland’s more than famous for its amazing views. Almost wherever you are in the country you’re guaranteed something awesome to look at. Views of spectacular castles, dramatic mountains, serene lochs, rare wildlife, remote isles… And the good news is that you can claim them as your own while you’re on holiday. 

Lochhouse Tower a 16th Century Borders Tower in Dumfries-shire was built in about 1533 and restored in the 1970’s with a complete refurbishment in 2014.

Fenton Tower, a 16th century tower house, has now made itself available to accept self-catering bookings throughout the year for the first time. This amazing castle is the height of luxury and is a 5 star Visit Scotland graded “exclusive use” venue and should prove to be very popular for those who want to stay in a luxury style castle. Being only 24 miles from Edinburgh should also make it a very attractive proposition, making travelling by air or train a short easy option.
Whilst the castle looks great from the outside, it is even better on the inside. The vaulted dining room has all the character and atmosphere you would expect from a dining hall that goes back to 1587, and the long table decked out in candles will be a treat, even if it is not a Medieval banquet on offer. The Great Hall is a wonderful large sitting room with huge open fire and ideal for entertaining. As for the bedrooms, they are all a range of luxurious rooms, some with four poster beds and all unique in style. However, it could be argued that the bathrooms are even better. How often do you come across a large copper bath. Even better when you are stylishly attired in the big fluffy dressing gown with the Fenton Tower logo, provided as part of the booking. Anyone staying here, to use the clichés, will live like a lord and be the king or queen of the castle, in style and luxury.

This is all great for the adults who can also find out more for about the history. But what about for the children, what is the story? Well, to children Fenton Tower will be better known as the pink castle, Archie the inventor’s house from the BBC show Balamory. So it should be perfect for both adults and children on so many levels, either for weekly or weekend rentals. Contact Scotts Castle Holidays today to find out more about staying in a castle in Scotland.

New to Scotts Castle Holidays is this fabulous Holiday House with a View overlooking Dunblane. With an impressive first floor drawing room with large picture windows, this is an old fashioned country house  offering comfort and style. Ideal for up to 21 people on a self-catering basis, it is set within its own estate with great views all the way to Ben Lomond.

Only one hour away from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, this Scottish holiday house is a great country venue in a central location. Dunblane, Andy Murray’s home town is only a few miles away, whilst Gleneagles is less than half an hour away. This large holiday house is ideal for family holidays for a week or special occasions over a weekend. Why not find out more today at Scotts Castle Holidays?

New to Scotts Castle Holidays is this fabulous Secluded Country House in Dumfries and Galloway, which is offered on a self-catering basis for up to 17 people. With an impressive galleried reception hall with full size snooker table, this is an old fashioned country house that is used to accommodating lots of people in comfort and style.

Only one hour after crossing the Scottish/English border, this Scottish holiday house is a great country venue, without having to travel the length of Scotland to get there. Perfect for family holidays for a week or special occasions over a weekend. Why not find out more today at Scotts Castle Holidays?

New to Scotts Castle Holidays is this amazing Five Star Barn Conversion in the Scottish Borders, which is offered on a self-catering basis. The quality of décor is comparable to the standard of a boutique hotel, with an impressive galleried sitting room and modern well equipped kitchen. Ideal for 8 to 10 people, with a selection of plush bedrooms to choose from.

Only 30 miles from Edinburgh, this Scottish holiday house is a great country venue with good access to city life if you wish a daytrip to see Edinburgh Castle. This large holiday house is perfect for short breaks or family holidays, and there is so much to do in the Borders, the short break destination of Scotland. Why not find out more today at Scotts Castle Holidays?