Did you know the world's best whisky hotel is in Scotland?

There's a staggering number of hotels around the globe. But did you know the world's best whisky hotel is situated in Scotland? In hindsight, it's not surprising given Scotland is undeniably the go-to destination for whisky enthusiasts. Yet, what truly sets the hotel apart isn't merely the array of whisky options but the establishment itself: a castle! And as befitting of any Scottish castle worth its salt, it's said to be haunted. So prepare for quite the overnight stay!

Our highlight is Dornoch Castle, nestled in the small village of the same name on Scotland’s east coast. Right off the bat, the history of the village is intriguing: Dornoch was the last place to burn a witch at the stake, in 1727. Fortunately, we have come a long way since then, appreciating the beauty towns like Dornoch bring to the world. Such as the world's number one whisky hotel!

The local castle, originally built around the 15th century, has an ebullient history. It has seen its fair share of strife, once even incinerated due to a feud between two local families, the McKays and Murrays. Luckily, it was also rebuilt and has been owned by the same family for more than two centuries. Throughout its existence, the castle has served numerous functions, as the official residence of the Bishop of Caithness, a school, and even a prison.

Currently, the castle operates as the world’s best whisky hotel, offering accommodations, dining, drinking at the whisky bar, and event hosting such as weddings. The hotel is quite intimate, featuring a total of 24 rooms, suites, and garden rooms. The bar boasts an impressive range of whiskies, many with a rich and long history reaching far before the war. It was this whisky assortment that crowned the hotel in 2015 as the Number One Whisky Hotel in the World.

Less than a year later, the owners even started their own distillery: the Dornoch Distillery Company. A delightful place to stay indeed, also offering visits to their distillery before comfortably staggering back to your room!

And what about the resident ghost? That's the felon, Andrew McCornish, who was once condemned there for a petty sheep theft. He did not survive his sentencing, as he was hanged for it. To this day, he still roams around the hotel. But don't worry: as long as you're not a sheep, you should be safe from the apparition.

If you're planning a trip around Scotland, you should certainly add Dornoch Castle to your itinerary so you can witness this unique haunt and its chilling tale for yourself.

Image: Dornoch Castle Hotel