BBC’s The Traitors, a psychological reality show presented by Claudia Winkleman, gripped the nation over four weeks towards the end of 2022 – and now it’s back with a second series.
The nail-biting competition sees Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia greet 22 strangers as they arrive 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 (series one became one of the most talked about shows of 2022), it has the most beautiful backdrop in Scotland.
The Traitors season two with host Claudia Winkleman
‘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,’ Claudia previously said.
Recalling filming the first series, which first aired in November 2022, she explained: ‘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 amongst the players are the ‘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 to eliminate of their fellow players known as the ‘Faithfuls’. Whilst 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.
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‘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 explained at the time. ‘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.
Ardross Castle, 1960
Following Matheson’s death, his son, Sir Kenneth Matheson, sold the estate in 1898 to business man, C. W. Dyson Perrins. His family spent several months annually at Ardross with 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, with the formal garden, walled garden, shrubberies and lawns revived, with additional specimen trees planted and woodlands extended. The castle and estate properties have been extensively renovated too.
Who won The Traitors series one?
Series one saw the victorious final three – Aaron, Hannah and Meryl – take home their share of the £101,050 prize pot. Catch up on BBC iPlayer.
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Olivia Heath is the Executive Digital Editor at House Beautiful UK, covering tomorrow’s biggest interior design trends and revealing the best tips, tricks and hacks to help you decorate your home like a pro. Week by week Olivia shares the most stylish high street buys to help you get the look for less and showcases the best makeovers (who doesn’t love a before & after?), as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market.
