The Traitors, which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman, is filmed at a grand 19th century castle in the Highlands and has resulted in a 27 per cent increase in Scotland-wide searches
The Traitors, a hit BBC One show, has sparked a boom in Scottish tourism.
The third season of the award-winning TV series will wrap up on January 24 with an extended 70-minute episode.
Not only has the series enthralled viewers across the UK, but it’s rekindled a desire to explore Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes.
Filmed at the majestic 19th-century Ardross Castle in the Highlands, The Traitors pits contestants into two groups – ‘Traitors’ and ‘Faithful’. The former must band together to oust other players for a hefty cash prize, while the latter aim to expose and evict the Traitors to bag the money themselves. Since the third season premiered on January 1, tour company Evan Evans. has seen a 27 per cent rise in Scotland-wide searches.
There’s also been a 44 per cent jump in searches for Edinburgh-related content since the year began. This surge in interest has triggered a ‘Traitors-effect’ on Scottish tourism, with fans flocking to the country’s historic Celtic cities and rugged Highlands to witness the stunning beauty firsthand.
Google searches for Ardross Castle have shot up by 188 per cent, leading Evan Evans to launch a new castles blog post, reports the Daily Record.
The stunning castle, located a mere 25 miles from Inverness, provides the perfect backdrop for the intense competition of The Traitors. Built in the grand Scottish Baronial style and surrounded by exquisite formal gardens, it’s no wonder that with the show’s finale looming today, there’s been a surge in interest attributed to the series’ soaring popularity and its enchanting depiction of Scottish locales.
Rail Manager at Evan Evans, Roger Gomes, said: “Scotland’s breathtaking scenery has become a star in its own right thanks to the show. Viewers are clearly captivated, and we’re seeing a rush of bookings from fans eager to experience the Celtic drama. Who wouldn’t want to walk the halls of a medieval castle or explore the stunning landscapes from the country?” he added.
Claudia Winkleman, the host of The Traitors, shared her awe of the filming location: “I thought I’ve been to beautiful places. I have never been anywhere more beautiful than the Scottish Highlands in my life. It felt sometimes like we were in a painting if that’s not too cheesy.”
Although Ardross Castle itself isn’t open for public visits, it does offer wedding services in its picturesque grounds, with capacity for up to 120 guests. The castle also caters to corporate retreats, offering outdoor team-building activities as a unique feature. However, Scotland is full of many towering castles like Edinburgh Castle, which Evan Evans includes in some of its tours.
