Christmas may be over, but there is plenty of time left to book a cosy winter getaway to escape the colder months.
While most will be looking to stay in a warm cottage or luxury hotel, those who are able to afford it can book out an entire castle. There are plenty of estates that can be rented this winter season, with one counting Mary Queen of Scots among its previous residents.
Borthwick Castle is a 600-year-old castle located around 12 miles from Edinburgh in the heart of the Scottish countryside on the Borders route. It was built in 1430 and has since been meticulously refurbished for private hire.
According to Celtic Castles, the castle is among the finest and best-preserved 15th-century keeps in Scotland. It is an "imposing fortress composed of a massive double tower surrounded by an embattled wall".
Borthwick Castle was constructed in 1430 by Sir William de Borthwick after buying the land from Sir William Hay of Yester.
The castle sleeps 26 guests across its 12 rooms, with each bedchamber being uniquely designed with lavish bathrooms.
According to the Borthwick Castle website, they have been "designed to show off the historic detail but ensuring the most luxurious experience for guests".
Over the years, the inside of the Ccstle has remained largely unchanged. Among the rooms are a great hall on the first floor that is 40 feet long, a music gallery, and a bedchamber that it is believed Mary Queen of Scots herself stayed in.
According to Celtic Castles, Mary and Lord Bothwell fled to Borthwick Castle after the murder of Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, with Bothwell himself being the primary suspect. On June 11, a number of Scottish barons along with a 1000-strong army on horseback surrounded the castle.
Celtic Castles states: "Bothwell had advance warning and had time to ride off with a few attendants and, while Mary waited, the insurgent nobles rode to Edinburgh to build their support. When Mary got word that the provost and citizens of Edinburgh did not oppose them, she immediately resolved on flight.
"Assuming the disguise of a page, Mary mounted her horse and, pursuing a by-path through the glen, east of the present farm of Aflieck-hill, she arrived at Black Castle, where she was met by Bothwell."
Since then, the castle has undergone major renovations, such as the replacement of internal timbers, repairs to the outer wall, and the addition of an extra story to the gatehouse as well as new outbuildings. It was used as a safe store for the country's national treasures during the Second World War before being converted to a conference centre in the 1970s.
In 2013, further renovations were undertaken, including the replacement of all the previous centuries' improvements and the addition of a state-of-the-art off-site biomass heating centre.
Now, Borthwick Castle exists as a "warm homey, yet imposing, retreat for all-year use."
Guests can enjoy three main public spaces: the great hall, the state room, and the garrison. The former can be used for feasts, banquets, and parties, while the latter two offer a more relaxed setting.
More information and photos can be found on the Celtic Castle website.
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