Faside Estate

Why doesn't the operator say that the photos for the travel portals do not correspond to the truth and reality - very dubious We love the Highlands and the locals, but not German operators who do not adhere to reputable business practices! Not recommended!

I’m attempting to provide a more balanced assessment of Fa’side Castle than currently appears on the review pages Grand in scale, magical and romantic at some levels. But don’t think it’s a cosy warm and snuggly place, as it most certainly isn’t. Great to have big stone spiral stairs to climb, first to the grand hall, then to the massive bedroom, and finally to the rooftop. Good views to the coast though traffic noises from the A1 mute the fun. Ian and Sue love to talk about the castle and its historic and architectural features. But they seem to miss the point about providing a great place to stay and rest and chill. (Well we did chill, but not in the right way) The vastness of the place meant the fire and fan heater needed hours to get the place up to a tolerable temperature, and even though I’d said we would be arriving about 3 pm, nothing was on. So I tried as best I could to air the rooms and get them warm, but the way-thick stone walls harbour a lot of cold and the dampness meant we needed extra layers on to be inside. And I’m told the mahusive bed has an electric blanket trying to keep the chill out, but we didn’t stay for that experience, we packed our bags and said goodbye. Shame, but there was no point persevering and wasting our precious hours trying to make the experience bearable. And the supermarket breakfast provisions, though ample, were not what we could have hoped for—something wholesome and artisanal and some real coffee maybe? Ian and Sue were disappointed that we left, but charming as they were, they had done little to make the tower friendly and hospitable, though the fruit and the flowers were a nice touch. We just wanted warm, dry and clean, with decent modern facilities, as so many Scottish castles offer. I recommend the place if you just like the scale and the history and the majesty. I only wish I had read between the lines on the excessively positive reviews, and I might have avoided the “marital” that caused us to head down the road to Archerfield, a little more money, a pristine over-manicured place— but warm and dry and with real coffee waiting for us.