A Victorian castle has been dubbed Scotland’s most unique getaway spot with the Airbnb listing going viral on social media thanks to its surreal beauty.
The Bridge House, in Ballintuim, was built on a bridge spanning the River Ardle in 1881 and nowadays hosts guests for the price of £209 per night with an additional £35 charge for pets who want to live like a king or queen. The two-bedroom fortress is category A-listed and recently underwent renovations, according to its Airbnb profile.
Nevertheless, the mystical property maintains many of its charming original features, including the stone spiral stairs, traditional Scottish timber-clad walls, stone and pine flooring and even a privy directly over the river below. Scottish highland explorer and TikToker @EmilyinScotland shared her stay in the Airbnb to her more than 100,000-strong following on the social platform.
The castle is nestled in a tranquil and idyllic setting, as if straight from a fairy tale, with the River Ardle running beneath one of the fort’s wings. Guests are greeted by the winding stone spiral staircase upon entry.
The top of the stairs opens into the conservatory dining room where you can access the little bedroom and kitchen-cum-living area. The Airbnb’s smaller bedroom offers great views upriver and a quirky privy from olden days.
The kitchen sitting room is surrounded by traditional Scottish timber-clad walls and flooring as well as a log-burning stove and downriver views. The master bedroom features a kingsize four-poster bed, ornamental fireplace and TV.
The Bridge House has multiple stone walkways allowing access around the site with views of the river below. They connect with the veranda seating area nestled in the castellation and a small sauna in a mini stone ‘outbuilding’.
Emily’s video has notched up almost one million views and over 100,00 likes, with many jealous viewers from abroad asking to move to Scotland. “I so want to go there Scotland is my dream retirement vacation,” one user commented while others were concerned about previous tenants, asking “How many ghosts and magical things are there?”
You can view the Airbnb listing here.