A GRAND 16th-century castle in Scotland has been named one of Vrbo’s Holiday Homes of the Year for 2025.
Kilmartin Castle, buried deep in the Highlands, was originally built in 1550 during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots to house a former bishop.
The vast property was later abandoned and remained derelict for 200 years before becoming a Vrbo guest house, sleeping up to ten people in five historic bedrooms.
Now it features a sunken fire pit and Kamado Joe BBQ outdoors, while indoors there is a medieval-looking dining room, grand hall with a roaring fireplace and spiral stone staircases.
Guests will be able to take advantage of organic fruits, herbs and vegetables all grown on the castle property grounds as well as a wild swimming pond.
One visitor wrote: “Staying here was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life!
“We went swimming in the pond and enjoyed a fire in the fire pit under the stars.”
Another said: “The castle is even better in real life, with lots of little nooks and quirky details that make it special and unique.”
Costing from £110 per person per night, Kilmartin Castle was one of seven Holiday Homes of the Year in the UK.
As well as aesthetics, the two million entries were judged on guest ratings (each winner received an average of 9.8 stars or more), standout amenities and outstanding guest experiences provided by hosts.
Vrbo’s Tim Rosolio said: “Vrbo hosts are ultimately the key to making a traveller’s holiday one to remember.
“Premier Hosts in particular are known to go above and beyond to offer exceptional, reliable and relaxing guest experiences.
“With our rigorous Premier Host badging, we’re sending a clear and compelling trust signal to travellers about where to find the best and consistent experiences on Vrbo.”
Among the other winning properties in the UK list was Hermitage House which is located on a private island in the Lake District, accessed via a road bridge.
The 24-person property is on the River Lune and many of the luxury bedrooms offer clear views of Otter Island.
The holiday home is the ultimate party destination.
As well as a games room with a pool table, there’s even a casino, with a roulette wheel and poker tables.
Guests can further let their hair down at the private hair salon or unwind at the in-house spa that features a hot tub, and sauna.
And if that wasn’t enough, movie nights can be enjoyed in your very own cinema, which features authentic cinema chairs and a popcorn machine.
Another winning holiday home is the eight-person Quarry House in Devon’s Kingsbridge, which costs from £49 per person per night and has its own shepherd’s hut on site.
The property is perfect for soaking up nature with floor-to-ceiling windows in the downstairs bedrooms and access via bridges over a rainwater feature to the front garden.
There’s also the six-person Smithycroft in Somerset, a cosy fairytale cottage with a traditional thatched roof, which costs from £52 per person per night.
The cottage has French doors leading out onto a pretty patio and flower-filled garden, while those looking to explore can take advantage of a number of excellent walking routes from the doorstep.
There’s also Downs Cottage in Kent, a beachfront property set right on the shores of Deal and with a maritime interior.
When you’re not on the beach, guests can take advantage of a lawned garden with a barbecue area.
The 11-bedroom property costs from £66pp per night.
Other properties include Natterjack Manor House in Lancashire, a luxury 14-person home with an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and massage room (from £105pp per night) as well as The Cosh in Moreton-in-Marsh, a converted Dutch barn in the Cotswolds (from £39pp per night).
In total, there were 50 winning homes spread across the US, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
