Scotland showcase: Monuments for hire

DUNS CASTLE ESTATE, www.dunscastle.co.uk

Duns Castle was originally built in the 14th century as a defensive tower. Today, the 12-bedroom castle is available for exclusive hire and can host up to 70 in the state dining room. Part of the castle is still in use as a family home and visitors are guaranteed a warm welcome. It is nothing less than a tranquil home-from-home in the Borders near Berwick-upon-Tweed.

MYRES CASTLE, www.myres.co.uk

Dating from 1530, Myres Castle stands in 44 acres of grounds near Auchtermuchty in central Fife. With nine individually designed en suite rooms the castle is ideal for exclusive use for board meetings. Both golf and real tennis can be enjoyed locally while St Andrews and Gleneagles are 30 minutes away.

CULZEAN CASTLE, www.culzeancastle.net

Just a short drive from Turnberry, on the Ayrshire coast, Culzean Castle is a dramatic venue. The castle, designed by famed architect Robert Adams, enjoys a cliff-top location, with views across to the mountains of Arran. Its Circular Saloon and oval staircase are ideal for receptions for up to 300. On its top floor are the Eisenhower Apartments, a post-war gift to President Eisenhower from the Scottish people. Today the six suites are available as exclusive accommodation. Culzean has facilities for small board meetings and can host up to 56 for a banquet to remember.

BLAIR CASTLE, www.blair-castle.co.uk

Seat of the Duke of Atholl, Blair Castle is an ideal venue for a banquet. The white castle, located in highland Perthshire, has been hosting memorable events for more than seven centuries. Packages might include a piper, or even a detachment of the Atholl Highlanders, the UK's only private army.

GLAMIS CASTLE, www.glamis-castle.co.uk

Glamis Castle, near Forfar, is the seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother, and gets several mentions in Shakespeare's Macbeth. The castle is a relaxing venue ideal for a range of corporate functions. Facilities range from the magnificent 17th-century drawing room to the 16th-century kitchens. The castle can seat up to 90 for dinner and 400 for a marquee reception.

STIRLING CASTLE, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/corpevents

Equidistant from Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling Castle is widely considered to be the grandest of all Scotland's castles. Within its mighty walls, the castle has become a flexible venue for prestigious dinners for up to 300 in the newly restored 16th-century Great Hall. The Castle Vaults can be booked as well.

ACKERGILL TOWER, www.ackergill-tower.co.uk

Three miles from Wick Airport, Ackergill is a majestic 15th-century castle perched on the coast. Available for exclusive-use only, Ackergill can host between 16 and 48 guests for a corporate event. A novel meeting option is the 25-seat Tree House with ISDN and the latest video conferencing equipment.