Carbisdale castle review (Youth Hostel Carbisdale Castle)

Member Name: bosharpe

Product:	Youth Hostel Carbisdale Castle
Date:	24/08/09 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly people, internet access and a ping pong table.

Disadvantages: None

The Castle was built in the early 1900s for Mary Caroline Mitchell, the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland. Her first husband-a captain in the Highland Light Infantry, died in 1883 from a gunshot wound. Her second Husband -George Granville, 3rd Duke and 18th Earl of Sutherland died in 1892 (3 years after their marriage) Mary's marriage to the Duke was always out of favour with the Sutherland family and after the Duke's death they there was much disagreement over his will in regards to the Duchess (leading to a short time spent by her in jail). The Sutherland Family came to an agreement to build the castle as a suitable residence for the Duchess.

The castle was eventually inherited by Captain Harold Salvesen, son of the Duchess's 3rd husband. He donated the castle to the Scottish Youth Hostel Association in 1945.

I've been to this Carbisdale at least 3 times now and every time I'm enchanted by it. Usually Scotland is moody and overcast when I go up there. But I feel a sense of cleansing with the air so fresh between the mountains. A good 10 minutes before arriving, Carbisdale is visible through the trees sitting on a hill to which the bottom is bank to a clean highland river.

The Castle itself is huge and has many grand rooms.
These include a gallery, television room, reading room etc with comfortable sofas and chairs. Many overlook a spectacular view. There is a rumor of a secret passage behind a suit of armor but I've never found it when I've explored.

The castle is apparently haunted so you may find ghost hunters there trying to capture the spirits of the dead with a cheap handheld cameras. Don't bother getting out of bed if you hear "Is anybody there?" from outside you room. They're not talking to you.

There are self catering facilities available to use although the castle does provide a restaurant area with a good selection of quality food on the menu. There are many portraits in the room to gaze over while you eat. But only a particular one where the subject's eyes seem to follow you round the room.

Price: Something like £18 per night per adult.

Summary: Refreshing, stunning and fun to explore