Designed by respected Scottish architect Ian Begg and built using blocks of granite drawn from a nearby quarry, the castle in fact fits remarkably well into the local surrounds given the use of local stone. A stroll from the agricultural village of Mulangou, and a walkable distance from Daxindian town, the Scottish Castle stands in a bountiful horticultural zone considered the orchard of China.

Given the knowledge of the architect and a careful selection of imported British antique furniture, the castle is truly reminiscent of the highland comforts enjoyed in another era by a Scottish chieftain and his family. Medieval Scotland indeed feels very near to hand when you’re sitting in the imposing banquet hall or sleeping in one of several guest bedrooms in our Scottish Castle.

Set in the sloping countryside near mount Qiushan, the castle however also incorporates all of today’s modern comforts, including floor-heating and modern catering and conference facilities. Chefs trained in local and western cuisines use the freshest ingredients to create classic international dishes in the castle’s own restaurant.

After dinner guests may like to retire to the well-stocked library or to a billiards room in the basement near the wine cellar. Uniquely of course, the Scottish Castle incorporates the Treaty Port winery and wine cellar where guests can observe vintners in the process of making some of China’s most unique wines.

Most visitors prefer to linger on the castle rooftop battlements to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside, whose colours change with the seasons. In spring the sloping fields below the castle are a riot of colour as peach trees blossoms open. From the battlements you can also watch farmers tending to the Treaty Port vines, granite posts stretching into the distance. A constant view from the castle, Qiushan lake is also worthy of exploration. 

Yes, this is an ideal base from which to explore surrounding countyside and historical landmarks. Local culture and history marks itself with the memorial to Taoist scholar Qiu Chu Ji, whose memory is still honoured every New Year by thousands of worshippers who pour up the hill to the ruins of the Taoist icon’s temple, which will soon be rebuilt.

Stone wall fortifications built atop Qiushan in the 19^th century by Taiping rebels offer more reminders of a colourful and turbulent local history. It’s a history not unlike that of Scotland’s own. You too can live like a Braveheart, in picturesque Shandong. 

One cannot underestimate the labour and detail which went into ensuring the Scottish Castle is true to the spirit of the original Scottish castles, right down to the sash-and-case windows. A laboursome translation of all designs from Ian Begg into Mandarin-language plans consistent with Chinese regulations, which forced Ian into a major redesign of the main spiral stairway. Two local construction foremen, Messrs Wang and Sung even travelled to Scotland with architect Ian Begg to visit local castles and meet the craftsmen involved in their upkeep. Once the structure was built the shipments of period antique furniture began to arrive. Artists travelled from Europe to paint the frescoes on the stairways which detail the surrounding region’s unique history of engagement with western Europe during the designation of nearby city of Penglai as a Treaty Port.  An extensive agreement with the local government ensured a new road was built to the castle, and water, electricity and communications conntected to the site.