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Forter Castle

THE SCOTTISH DREAM EXCLUSIVELY YOURS

Forter Castle is an exclusive-use castle in a superb location close to Glenshee. On the doorstep are also a number of great sporting opportunities including deer stalking, shooting and fantastic salmon and trout fishing. For those looking for a luxury base from which to explore this majestic part of Scotland, in particular Angus, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire, Forter Castle offers the Scottish dream. 

The castle was originally built by the Ogilvys of Airlie as a fortified house in 1560, before falling in 1640 into a ruinous state. On visiting the castle today you will learn the full story via the beautifully painted ceiling in the Great Hall. The principal reason for construction was to fortify and protect the entrance to Balloch pass up into Glenshee and the important Moneca Pass up to Braemar and the North.

Since 1988 to the present day, father Robert and daughter Katharine Pooley have lovingly and painstakingly restored the castle back to its former glory. The castle now benefits from all 21st century creature comforts whilst retaining complete authenticity with the castles original history. 

SHORT FILM: 

Forter Castle: Your exclusive-use Scottish castle in Glenisla, Angus - Sandgrouse TV from Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions on Vimeo.

A Sporting Experience at Forter Castle

7 DAYS 6 NIGHTS, SUPERB DEER-STALKING ON SOME OF SCOTLAND'S TOP HIGHLAND ESTATES, EXCLUSIVE-USE LUXURY SCOTTISH CASTLE, PRIVATE RANGE ROVER VOGUE & LAND ROVER DEFENDER Step into the world of a Scottish Laird on this dreamy, golden-age sporting itinerary. If...

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Castle Rooms including Great Hall, Bedchambers and Kitchen

Great Hall

The Great Hall is the stunning heart of Forter castle. A fabulous space for entertaining; it spans the entire width of the castle and is traditionally furnished whilst still enjoying modern day comforts. The expansive inglenook fireplace creates a focal point for evening events or relaxing during the day and the elaborately hand painted ceiling adds further intrigue. The dining table seats up to 16, there is vast soft seating in the form of two large Ralph Lauren sofas and wing back chairs upholstered in the finest goatskin leather. People gather to relax, dine, entertain, watch films, get married, dance along to Ceilidh’s, drink whisky, light fires, read and our favourite to actually connect with one another surrounded by stunning interiors. 

The Laird’s Room

The wonderful Laird’s bedroom is the most superior of all the bedrooms, fit for a king and queen. It is an expansive and grand room with a king size four poster Ralph Lauren bed, its walls are upholstered in British wool by De le Cuona. It has its own turret, a large sofa, and even its own open plan bathroom with roll top bath and free standing brass Drummonds shower. Furnished with beautiful antiques and grand paintings, you won’t forget that you’re in a castle when you stay in this bedroom.

Sebastian’s Room

A grand room with a king size four poster bed and beautiful antique furniture including a castellated wardrobe. This room is triple aspect with upholstered walls in Holland and Sherry Saville Row tweed creating a wonderfully cosy environment to enjoy whilst relaxing in the leather armchair with a cup of tea (or wee dram!) and a good book. 

Julian’s Room

This luxurious bedroom has a masculine feel whilst being bright and spacious with its own ensuite. It has a collection of interesting art pieces that are mounted on beautifully upholstered walls in Holland and Sherry Saville Row tweed. With luxurious touches Johnsons of Elgin cashmere, printed cushions and checkered throws.

Katharine’s Room

The rich purple hues of this room sit perfectly within and around the carved wooden four poster bed with starburst canopy.  Featuring bespoke cushions and throws, the upholstered walls finish off the layered design. Of particular note is the Swedish empire mirror and antique wash stand as well as the bureau in the turret. 

Samantha’s Room

This fabulous room is right at the top of the castle with views out across the nearby mountains of the Cairngorms. A kingsize four poster bed with gathered canopy is the focal point alongside deep buttoned stools upholstered in a houndstooth wool and fabric lined walls. It also has a dressing table and a cosy armchair by the fireplace with paintings and tapestries adorning the walls.

Robert’s Room

This room has a private staircase leading up from the Great Hall, taking you into a wonderfully warm, comfortable bedroom.  A delightful room ideal for a book lover, the built in bookcases house endless reading material that can be enjoyed in the deep buttoned sofa whilst the regal four poster bed will ensure you are fully rested.

Kitchen

A fully fitted kitchen by Chalon, with a large range cooker and dishwasher will make cooking a pleasure. A wide range of Le Creuset cooking equipment and crockery ensures you have the means to make anything you wish!

Breakfast Room

A fully fitted kitchen by Chalon, with a large range cooker and dishwasher will make cooking a pleasure. A wide range of Le Creuset cooking equipment and crockery ensures you have the means to make anything you wish!  In the adjacent vaulted space there is a large refectory table with long bench seating providing ample space for an informal breakfast or lunch.

 

Testimonials

“Thanks you for a wonderful experience on our most special of days.  May the “keep” stand for another 1000 years.”

Warm Regards

Mick Hucknell (Simply Red Lead Singer)

“Hope you are well and we just wanted to drop you a few lines to thank you. Our wedding at Forter Castle on Saturday was everything and more we could have wished for. The sun shone brightly over a stunning venue and it was almost magical. John provided the catering and did not let us down with superb cuisine and Mel is a credit to you with all her help with our never ending questions. The interior of the castle was also beautiful and everyone commented on the rich tapestry that you woven throughout the rooms with the different fabrics, textures and colours. Your wedding day is always meant to be special but Forter made it extra special and the memories will be treasured for the rest of our lives.”

Derek and Alison Gerrard.

“Thank you for a fabulous setting for our wedding – there is not a thing we would change, it was really perfect. The castle is beautiful the chapel was magical. John Ramsay’s food was exquisite and all our communications with you made this wedding  very relaxed and easy to plan.”

Muchas Gracias

Mhairi & Diego

“Twelve months ago over many bottles of wine, 6 great friends bemoaned the heat and humidity of Christmas in SE Queensland.  Before long they dreamt of a white Christmas in the Scottish Highlands. Snowmen, sledging, real Christmas tress. Gingerbread, turkey with all the trimmings – the stuff of movies and fairytales. Who would have thought that our Christmas was all this and so much more that we expected. Forter Castle is a truly special place –a  home away from home. Thank you for the opportunity to share this magical part of the world.”

Rayne Gwillam

“Enormous thanks for our amazing weekend at Forter.
What a special place and what fun we had.  Laughing, dancing, eating, chilling out & more laughing.”

The Kings

“The castle proved to be the perfect venue set in the most fabulous location and it was the perfect setting for our wedding. ….It was an unforgettable experience and it was everything we had ever dreamed of and more”

Steven & Alice

Thank you for a great week at Forter. Spent it Skiing, Golfing & cycling. Lovely area and great to return to a very cosy castle.  Thanks for all your help &hospitality Mags.

Angus & guests

F abulous
O ld
R uin
T remendously and
E nchantingly
R estored

The Dales

“Merci mille fois pour un se jour de sarve. It is difficult to express how much we appreciated our time her at Forter Castle. Unique au monde!

Merci Katharine for your loving care of Forter Castle. Merci Mags for all your help and advice.”

Eric Way & Friends
From Lyon & Paris

Location

Not only is Forter Castle only just over 1.5 hour drive from Edinburgh ,  guests also enjoy the central Highland location that permits access to a wonderful variety of options from shooting, stalking, golf, fishing, hiking, shopping, historical tours, whisky tasting etc. the options available are only limited by the time you have.

Address: Kirkton Of Glenisla, Perthshire, PH11 8QW.

For regional and local maps of the area please visit Google maps where full instructions on the usage of their site can also be found.

By Air

The airports nearest the castle are; Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. These are served by a variety of carriers including British Airways, British Midland, Easyjet, and Ryanair from most regional airports. Please be aware that some airlines provide limited service to these airports during slower seasons and weekends.

Car/Taxi hire

Sandgrouse Travel can arrange for your use any Land Rover vehicle. Whilst at Forter Castle living like a Scottish Laird we whole-hearted recommend hiring a Land Rover. Speak to your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner for more information and the range of Land Rover's available to clients from the rugged and iconic Defender right through to the Range Rover. 

Train

Edinburgh and Pitlochry are the stations nearest. One special option is to take the overnight sleeper from Euston. Using the Caledonian sleeper can be a wonderfully relaxing experience for you, your friends and entire families or groups. 

Helicopter Transfers
Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions are able to arrange helicopter transfers and indeed your whole itinerary may be using helicopter transfers should this be your preference. The landing strip is at the top of the Glen, only 4 miles from the Castle and provides phenomenal views of the Highlands and of the Castle.

Hire a Land Rover of your choice:

With Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions firmly believe that in order to make your Scottish holiday even better, the ultimate vehicle to use to get around should be a Land Rover.

"In a Land Rover the act of journeying itself is as much a part of your adventure as the places you visit." Jonny Stage, Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions founder. 

We are able to provide you with the choice of your very own Land Rover. Choose from a luxury Range Rover, Discovery, Discovery Sport or even a rugged Defender. Speak to your travel consultant today and discuss which of these luxurious vehicles would suit you most on your adventure around Scotland. Read our article from the Sandgrouse Traveller here: Luxury Scotland with a Land Rover.

Land Rover Holiday Scotland

Land Rover Experience Scotland with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions:

We can also include within your trip a Land Rover Experience Scotland adventure. We have a great relationship with the team at the centre and can arrange either a half day off-road course or full day experience on a near-by Highland estate.

Set in the heart of Perthshire, with stunning Highland scenery the Land Rover Experience Scotland centre on the shore of Butterstone Loch offers visitors the chance to fully understand the capability of these incredibly machines. Enjoy expert guiding and tuition from trained Land Rover instructors in one of the centres vehicles. 

If you are planning on doing the North Coast 500 in your own sports car, let us know and we will make sure to keep you on the right roads. 

Land Rover Experience Centre Scotland

Range Rover at Land Rover Experience Scotland