Tour from Edinburgh to Castles in the south

Dalhousie looks like a luxurious place to stay. It is a regular hotel with at least 3 dining options with reservations. It also has a Spa.
Melville looks similar with luxurious rooms and great garden. If they let visitors wander about a private hotel is something others might know. Look at Visit Scotland, Historic Scotland and Secret Scotland for Castles that are Open to View sites. Rabbies may have furnished castles on tour.

Both Melville Castle and Dalhousie have restaurants that you can book a table at and also offers afternoon tea. Check reviews.

Check the other castle hotels websites to see if they have restaurants open to the public. Also check recent reviews to see if food and service are what your looking for.

Thank you so much. That is very helpful!
Elaine

If these are upscale castle hotels, why would they want a tour group walking through the hotel unless they were staying there or having a pre-booked meal. It would disturb the other guests and the hotel wouldn't get anything for it.

It's also an issue of security allowing non-guests to wander the hotel.

However, there is nothing stopping you from visiting on your own. Eating in the restaurant, taking in the lobby, walking the grounds.

Thank you Frank Ii. I really appreciate your response. I don’t usually take tours when I visit an area unless they are walking tours. I especially wouldn’t enjoy a large bus tour. I would rent a car on my own but I feel unsafe driving in a different country. I will probably book a dinner and take a taxi but it would be nice to know the history of the castle and the family that lived there. And since there are several castles so close together it just feels like a missed opportunity not to see some of them and if possible go inside. Thank you.

As suggested before, you might want to look at tours offered by Rabbies. They are small group tours with a maximum of 16 passengers. Some of their one day tours out of Edinburgh go to castles.

I've taken their tours in the past and I'm signed up for more later this summer.

Are you more interested in a dining experience in a castle or visiting a castle to learn its history?

Frank II's suggestions of a day tour with Rabbie's is excellent. The small group size is a better experience than the large bus tours and you are on your own to explore at the stops.

Take a look at Rabbie's "West Highlands, Lochs and Castles" tour. You'll be driving through some beautiful areas, see castle ruins and have the option to visit the lovely Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, with its ties to the clan Campbell.

You all have given me great advice and I’ve booked a stay at Dalhousie Castle. I’m also looking into the Rabbies tour that was mentioned.
I’m so grateful for this forum. You’ve sent me off in the right direction. Thank you! Elaine