Wealthy Americans fleeing the US after the election of Donald Trump are driving a boom in sales of Scottish castles.
In the six months since the most controversial and divisive president in modern history took office, top-end estate agents have witnessed a huge surge in interest for the country’s oldest and most dramatic properties.
And although buying a castle has long been the ultimate fantasy of many home-owners, prices are now soaring to a historic high – partly because of an exodus of millionaires from the States.
So while many castles over the centuries have witnessed and withstood countless battles, skirmishes and attacks, these days they are more likely to find themselves at the centre of a bidding war.
One recent sale went to a closing date with no fewer than three rich Americans all offering far in excess of the initial asking price.
Cameron Ewer, head of residential property for Savills estate agency explained a spike in interest from the US was pushing prices higher.
He said: ‘There are definitely more international buyers in the marketplace. In the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s election, the number of American inquiries through our website went absolutely through the roof – and has now settled to a far higher-than-normal level.
‘Not everyone is a Trump supporter, and those that aren’t are keen to leave the country: there’s definitely an element of that in discussions we’ve had with buyers.’
Mad Men star Christina Hendricks is one American who has said she’d love to find her own Scottish bolthole, admitting she’d prefer an property like the Scots castles she has filmed in
Glenborrodale Castle was sold for £200,000 above the asking price
Last month tax lawyers and immigration advisers told US broadcaster CNN they had seen a ‘stampede’ of Americans emigrating since the start of Mr Trump’s presidency.
One couple told the channel: ‘We’re getting away from the chaos … I feel like the America as we knew it growing up is slipping away pretty fast.’
Meanwhile, more than 1,900 US residents applied for a British passport during the first quarter of 2025, the most since the Home Office began keeping records in 2004.
Politics aside, Mr Ewer said there were also other factors behind the surge in interest in Scotland’s castles.
He said: ‘Scottish castles have always had international appeal. There’s a romance surrounding them – and there’s always a smattering on the market.
But there are definitely more for sale right now. One factor may be the increasing costs of running a castle – which isn’t cheap.
Another factor is simply that the market in Scotland is pretty buoyant across the board, and with more stock coming to the market generally, there’s a feeling that this is a good time to be selling prize assets in Scotland.’
He explained: ‘The overarching reason for the uptick in interest is value: the quality of the properties, the culture, the heritage behind them that buyers can afford in Scotland is head and shoulders above what can be found in other places in the UK, Europe or elsewhere.’
Christina Hendricks got to see castles up close while filming in Scotland and has enjoyed repeat visits, such as the image above, to Royal residence Balmoral Castle
And with a flurry of castles newly offered to the market, even properties worth millions are being quickly snapped up.
In just the past few weeks, three magnificent piles have gone ‘under offer’ – including Plane Castle in Stirlingshire (a manor house near Bannockburn with a 14th-century tower which was marketed for offers over £1.2 million); Keillour Castle (a turreted country house in Perthshire, offers over £1.8 million) and Cramond Tower (a restored mediaeval tower house outside Edinburgh, offers over £850,000).
Glenborrodale Castle, a sprawling 16-bedroom sandstone castle in the West Highlands also sold this year – for more than £200,000 above the asking price – having been put on the market for offers over £2.35 million.
Scotland has around 1,500 castles – ranging from mediaeval strongholds with towers and keeps, to fortified mansions, and even 18th century estate houses whose battlements are purely decorative.
Many are ruins, while others have been converted into commercial ventures such as luxury hotels and wedding venues.
Hundreds more, however, remain as private homes – and are eagerly sought after when they go up for sale, sometimes after decades or even centuries in the ownership of the same family.
Estate agents believe the general level of interest in castles from property lovers on both sides of the Atlantic has been boosted by TV’s The Traitors – hosted in the UK by Claudia Winkleman and by Alan Cumming in the American version – which was set amid the baronial splendour of Ardross Castle north of Inverness.
Mr Ewer said increased demand was boosting the prices for castles.
He said: ‘Prices this year are at a height – both in terms of asking prices and also in terms of the final prices being achieved. Castles are a special type of property, and the values don’t always follow trends in the general housing market.
‘People don’t say, “I’ve got a budget of two million, I’m going to buy a Scottish castle.” They typically need far deeper pockets than that, to be able to ensure they can afford the maintenance and running costs. These aren’t buyers with specific budgets. If you find the right buyer, they’ll pay whatever it takes.’
Earlier this month American actress Christina Hendricks hinted she was looking to buy a castle.
After spending time in Scotland filming two series of period drama The Buccaneers – which features as locations Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Hopetoun House, near South Queensferry, and Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire – the 50-year-old confessed in an interview: ‘I am so in love with Scotland… I’m all about the historical stuff. I mean when we shoot at these estates and these castles… this is mind blowing to me.’
Above, to help the actress – and any other would-be purchasers – track down a dream castle in Scotland, the Mail on Sunday reveals some of the most amazing examples currently on the market.
Picturesque ruins
The ruins of Castle Cary in Creetown, Dumfries and Galloway
Over the centuries, many ancient castles have fallen into disrepair. And although the damage may be beyond the reach of even the most ambitious restorer, the remains can still make a picturesque centrepiece for a larger estate.
The ruins of Castle Cary in Creetown, Dumfries and Galloway, are currently on the market for offers over £9.5 million. The price tag may seem high for a derelict building but the estate also includes a holiday park business with swimming pool, and pub and restaurant.
On the Isle of Skye, the ruins of Armadale Castle, the historic seat of the MacDonalds of Sleat, (above) is on sale at offers over £995,000. The Clan Donald Lands Trust said it had taken the ‘difficult’ decision to sell the square Tudor-Gothic mock-castle dating back to 1815 – and the adjoining 20,000-acre estate – because of financial challenges.
Castle with Mod Cons
Pirwindy Keep near Largo in Fife looks looks ancient but was actually built in 1998
Although Pirwindy Keep near Largo in Fife looks and sounds like a historic stronghold, it was actually built in 1998. To all intents and purposes it really is a ‘modern’ castle.
The six-bed property – offers over £1.9 million – was designed as a replica of a fortified turreted keep. The main three-storey tower has an imposing stone façade and a protruding balcony which offers great views over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat – ideal as a lookout in case the house ever needs to take on a defensive role against marauding invaders!
Historical gem…with dungeons!
Cakemuir Castle in Tynehead, Midlothian, (above) also dates back to the 1500s
For some, a castle’s true worth can only be measured in the number of centuries it has been standing – and in the tally of original features such as mediaeval battlements, dungeons, moats and arrow-slit windows.
Earlshall Castle in Leuchars, Fife, still retains its 16th century musket loops for repelling invaders. With an asking price of £8 million, the house – which was visited by Mary, Queen of Scots and King James VI – also boasts a Great Hall and a 50ft gallery decorated with the coats of arms of European royalty and Scottish nobles.
Cakemuir Castle in Tynehead, Midlothian, (above) also dates back to the 1500s and has distinctive crenellated walls and spiral staircases, plus a stone plaque commemorating the occasion Mary, Queen of Scots in 1567 sheltered there, as she fled Borthwick Castle disguised as a page boy. The eight-bedroom restored tower house is available for offers over £2.9 million.
The original tower house features a projecting turnpikestair, gun loops and a parapet for guards. A pavilion contains a dining room opening to the lawned garden through three sets of French doors. The property also has a wine cellar.
A £300,000 bargain
Little Tarrel Castle is a characterful “B” listed small fortalice originally built in the 16th century
Believed to be the cheapest castle currently on the market in Scotland, Little Tarrel Castle is for sale, offers over £299,000.
The B-listed fortalice – a small fortified house – was built in 1559 by Alexander Ross who became chief of Clan Ross and Laird of Balnagown after his father was murdered.
Determined not to meet the same fate, Alexander began attacking rivals, kidnapping neighbours, stealing church lands and defying the government. After decades of delinquent behaviour, he was brought to book and forced to hand his title to his son.
The castle was fully restored in the 1980s but retains many original features, including arched stone fireplace, timber beams, thick wooden latched doors and shutters, as well as the original shot hole, gun loops and arrow slits.
