Where is BBC's The Traitors filmed?
BBC's The Traitors, an award-winning psychological reality show presented by Claudia Winkleman, gripped the nation over four weeks when it debuted towards the end of 2022. It has since enjoyed a successful second series and, much to the delight of the nation, is currently back for series three, with a fourth series and a celebrity special also confirmed.
The nail-biting competition sees Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia greet a group of strangers at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands to play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing, and trust, all in the hope of winning up to £120,000.
For such a dramatic and thrilling game with lots of twists and turns throughout, it has the most beautiful backdrop and landscape of the Highlands, the largest region in Scotland.
'I thought I've been to beautiful places but I have never been anywhere more beautiful than the Scottish Highlands in my life,' says Claudia. 'It felt sometimes like we were in a painting if that's not too cheesy.'
Recalling filming the first series, which first aired in November 2022, Claudia explains: 'On day two, we saw a double rainbow and everyone was like, oh my gosh, and the crew were crying. There were baby deer, there was beautiful heather, there were ancient trees, and an ancient loch... But it's just the most beautiful landscape.'
What is The Traitors about?
Hidden among the group of players are 'Traitors', whose job it is to secretly 'murder' a player every night without getting caught. Aiming to stay undetected, the 'Traitors' meet in secret at a 'Round Table' in the castle and decide who of their fellow players (known as the 'Faithfuls') to eliminate. While trying to avoid being eliminated, the 'Faithfuls' must figure out who is a 'Traitor' and banish them from the game before they become their next victim.
Throughout, viewers watch the strangers embark on a series of physical and mental missions to add money to a prize pot. Those who survive to the end have the chance of winning life-changing cash, but if a 'Traitor' remains undetected, they'll steal all the money.
Goliath Games Presents: The Traitors - Official Board Game | Based on the Hit BBC Show | Can the Faithfuls Catch the Traitor? | For 4-6 Players | Ages 12+
'The production was amazing in the fact that everybody has to leave the castle at midnight and they all leave individually and are taken back to their dwellings and then the Traitors come back without anybody knowing. It was honestly a military operation,' Claudia's previously explained. 'And there was never even a close shave or anything. Hats off to them!'
Where is The Traitors filmed?
The Traitors is filmed at Ardross Castle, a 19th century castle in Scottish Baronial style, north of Inverness. It's set within beautiful landscaped gardens in over 100 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Alness. The castle is not open to the public but it is available for exclusive hire, for both corporate and private clients.
Inside Ardross Castle
Both the UK and US versions of the game show were filmed in and around Ardross Castle. Take a peek inside...
Who lived at Ardross Castle?
Ardross Castle has a rich history of residents and renovations. The 1st Duke of Sutherland bought Ardross in the late 1700s and built a hunting lodge. By 1845, the 2nd Duke sold the estate to Sir Alexander Matheson.
Matheson purchased Ardross, amounting to 60,000 acres, for £90,000, and he set about developing the estate with the intention of attracting tenants to agricultural tenancies. Some 2,600 acres of land was reclaimed, 11 miles of wire-fencing erected, 28 miles of roads made, and 3,000 acres of ground enclosed and planted.
The architect, Alexander Ross, was commissioned to redesign Ardross Castle in the Scots Baronial style, which incorporated the earlier mansion, plus the addition of 30 rooms.
Following Matheson's death, his son, Sir Kenneth Matheson, sold the estate in 1898 to businessman C. W. Dyson Perrins. His family spent several months annually at Ardross hosting house parties, enjoying the grouse moors, fishing, and deer forests. Further estate improvements were made, with Perrins introducing electricity, purchasing additional land, and modernising the castle. A big new addition was the formal garden, designed by landscape gardener Edward White for the east front.
In 1937, the estate was broken up and sold. Then, Ardross Castle was eventually purchased by Mr & Mrs Austin Mardon, who lived there until 1983, when the estate was sold once again.
In 1983, the McTaggart family acquired the estate and work began on restoring the gardens. The formal garden, walled garden, shrubberies and lawns were revived, with additional specimen trees planted and woodlands extended. The castle and estate properties have been extensively renovated too.
• Catch up on The Traitors on BBC iPlayer.
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