Sleeping with the Barony

The vikings founded the Scottish stronghold of Skibo in the 9th century, but it is hard to know what they would make of it today. After fighting off the likes of Madonna (who got married in the castle that was built on the original Viking site) and Robbie Williams (who celebrated his birthday there), it is highly unlikely that they would recognize their thousand-year-old home. Where once there were serfs, there are now staff, and a golf course stands on former grazing land. Such is the world of 21st century castle stays.

From Scotland to southern England,...