Where Was The Traitors Filmed? Inside the Famous Castle Setting (And If You Can Visit)

The Real Castle Behind The Round Table

Both the U.K. and U.S. versions of The Traitors are filmed at Ardross Castle, a 19th-century Scottish Baronial estate just north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The castle sits on more than 100 acres along the River Alness and delivers exactly the atmosphere the show relies on. Turrets. Stone walls. Long tree-lined approaches. Candlelit interiors that feel like they belong in a gothic novel. None of it is a set.

Producers have used the estate since 2022 for both the BBC and Peacock versions of the series, and it has quickly become as recognizable as any cast member.

Ardross Castle is privately owned and primarily operates as a wedding and events venue when cameras are not rolling.

Do The Contestants Actually Sleep There?

The show certainly wants you to believe they do.

In reality, cast members are transported to off-site accommodations during filming, reportedly near Inverness. Producers are intentionally discreet about the logistics to preserve the mystery and protect the integrity of the game.

So while the castle is very real, the late-night scheming does not involve wandering its corridors until sunrise.

That Dramatic Train Arrival Is Real Too

Each season begins with contestants arriving by train at Boat of Garten Railway Station, located inside Cairngorms National Park.

The heritage railway associated with those scenes is the Strathspey Railway, a volunteer-run line that offers scenic steam and diesel journeys through the Highlands.

If that misty platform felt cinematic, it is because the Cairngorms are one of the most visually dramatic landscapes in the United Kingdom. And yes, you can book a ticket and ride it yourself.

The Highlands Do Most Of The Work

A large part of what makes The Traitors feel intense is not just strategy. It is isolation.

The Scottish Highlands are known for vast freshwater lochs, ancient woodland, open moorland, and fast-moving weather that shifts the light constantly. When contestants paddle across dark water or walk through wooded estate grounds, you are seeing real Highland terrain.

Scotland has more than 30,000 freshwater lochs, ranging from tiny lochans to famous names like Loch Ness. That layered landscape of water, hills, and forest creates the quiet, watchful atmosphere the show depends on.

Can You Visit The Traitors Filming Locations?

You cannot casually tour Ardross Castle or book it like a hotel. It is not open for standard public visits.

That said, much of the surrounding region absolutely is.

If you want to build your own Traitors-inspired trip, here is a simple approach:

• Base yourself in Inverness

• Explore the Scottish Highlands by car

• Spend time in Cairngorms National Park

• Ride the Strathspey Railway

• Visit nearby lochs and historic towns

Many Highland estates are privately owned, so access varies. Always check before visiting specific properties.

With the finale now behind us, it is worth appreciating just how much the setting shaped this season’s tension.

Ardross Castle gives the game a sense of history and permanence. The Highlands add scale and isolation. Together, they create a world that feels removed from everyday life, heightening every banishment and betrayal we watched unfold.

The strategy may be modern. The atmosphere is timeless. And if the finale left you wondering whether it is worth seeing in person, the answer is yes. Just don't expect a seat at the Round Table.

Frequently Asked Questions: Where Was The Traitors Filmed? Inside the Famous Castle Setting

Where was The Traitors filmed?

Both the U.K. and U.S. versions of The Traitors are filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, just north of Inverness.

Is Ardross Castle a real castle?

Yes. Ardross Castle is a 19th-century Scottish Baronial estate set on more than 100 acres along the River Alness.

Can you visit Ardross Castle?

Ardross Castle is privately owned and not open for regular public tours. It primarily operates as a wedding and private event venue.

Do contestants sleep in the castle on The Traitors?

No. Cast members are transported to off-site accommodations during filming, reportedly near Inverness.

Where is the train station from The Traitors?

Arrival scenes are filmed at Boat of Garten Railway Station inside Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.

Can you ride the train from The Traitors?

Yes. The Strathspey Railway operates scenic heritage train journeys in the same region featured in the show.

What city is closest to The Traitors castle?

Inverness is the closest major city and serves as the main gateway to the Scottish Highlands.

Is the Scottish Highlands worth visiting beyond the castle?

Absolutely. The Highlands are known for dramatic landscapes, freshwater lochs, historic towns, and scenic drives that make the region one of the most visually striking in the United Kingdom.