The starry second season of The Celebrity Traitors is in full swing – and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Everyone from Jerry Hall and James Blunt to Maya Jama and Ross Kemp have graced the beautiful Scottish Highlands to play the ultimate game of deceit.
The sprawling castle grounds and dramatic backdrop are, as always, serving travel inspo, but there’s one behind-the-scenes detail that always surprises fans.
The Traitors wouldn't exist without Ardross Castle, but the cast does not spend as much time there as you might think. It's where they have their meals, take part in challenges and attack each other at the round table, but the episodes usually end with the contestants disappearing off to bed in their respective four wheel drives.
That's right, those iconic cutaway scenes of James Blunt in the shower or Bella Ramsey tucking into bed are a ruse. The cast actually stay somewhere far less glamorous.
So, do the contestants actually sleep in The Traitors castle?
While they eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and spend the day there, The Traitors and The Celebrity Traitors don’t actually stay in the castle overnight.
The Traitors castle, known as Ardross Castle, is home to both the UK and US versions of The Traitors. Alan Cumming, who hosts the US version, revealed in 2023, ‘[All contestants] stayed in the airport hotel in Inverness. How glamorous - you come to Scotland, and you stay in the Inverness airport hotel! None of us stayed in the castle.'
Where do The Traitors cast sleep?
Instead, contestants stay at the nearby Courtyard by Marriott, where prices start at around £108-a-night. The four star hotel opened in 2020, with some reports online saying former guests have spotted security guards patrolling the area to prevent any Traitors contestants bumping into each other.
Contestants are driven 40 minutes to the castle each morning for breakfast, before being driven back at the end of the day.
In some ways, this extra level of security makes sense... The premise of The Traitors involves absolute secrecy and privacy. It’s no doubt a massive mission to quietly sneak the Traitors up to the turret for their meetings, so having the cast stay in another location means they’re free to roam without fear of being heard. It also helps prevent contestants from communicating with each other off-camera, keeping any conversations to during filming hours.
Series one winner Meryl Williams previously revealed how the crew manage to sneak the Traitors back into the castle without any of their fellow contestants realising. She said, ‘The cars come to pick us up individually in the evening, just so they can make sure that there are no crossovers. The Traitors’ cars then go to leave, but then do a U-turn back to the castle.’
Who owns The Traitors castle?
The Traitors is filmed in Ardross Castle, located on the banks of the River Alness in the stunning Scottish Highlands, about 30 miles north of Inverness. Built over 170 years ago, the castle boasts more than 100 acres of parkland, lending itself well to the various outdoors tasks and missions.
The current owners, The McTaggart family, bought the estate in 1983. Since then, they’ve been working hard to restore it to its former glory, investing money into both the castle and the gardens.
Prior to the McTaggart's, the castle has had a rich history. It was purchased by the Duke of Sutherland in the 18th century, before being sold in 1845 to Sir Alexander Matheson, an MP, for £90,000. After Sir Alexander’s death, the country house and estate was sold to businessman Charles William Dyson Perrins (whose grandfather was the creator of Worcestershire sauce). The Perrins’ later sold the castle in the 1930s, and it passed between hands before being bought by the McTaggart family.
Can you stay overnight at The Traitors castle?
Alas, most people cannot. Ardross Castle isn’t a hotel, so individual rooms cannot be booked.
However, if you have any big events planned, you may be able to make it work. The website says it’s available for private hire, and that small groups can be accommodated. It’s also available to be hired as a wedding venue, and as a location for films and TV shows.
Traitors themed wedding, anyone?
The Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One on Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm.
Charlotte Roberts is a writer at Grazia UK, specialising in SEO. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment - from film review roundups to cast explainers.