How to Live like a King for a Day

Balfour Castle is available for rent. Located on Scotland's Isle of Shapinsay, Orkney, Balfour is claimed to be the northernmost castle in the world. The grounds are about as isolated as you can imagine, sitting on a 70-acre estate bounded by 10 miles of private coastline and two uninhabited islands. People are significantly outnumbered by puffins, arctic terns, and grey seals. The only access to Balfour is by ferry.

Formerly the home of the Balfour clan, the last family member, David Hubert Ligonier Balfour, died in 1961 with no heirs. It was acquired by the current proprietors, the Zawadski family, shortly after his death. The Victorian castle, built in 1848, has 52 rooms, including eight bedrooms. Roaring fires abound to dry out visitors damp from trekking around the island.

Meals prepared at the castle are sumptuous and decidedly un-Scottish- no haggis, and plenty of fresh-caught seafood, as well as chicken and vegetables raised on the castle's farm. The family rents out the sleeping quarters, as well as the conservatory, drawing room, library, and dining room for parties. Prices are reasonable, and parties as small as eight can be accommodated, at £100 ($160) per person, including a three-course dinner and breakfast. To get to Balfour, fly into Kirkwall airport and take the ferry from Mainland Orkney to Shapinsay. To make reservations, telephone the Zawadskis at 011-44-1-856-711-282 (www.balfourcastle.co.uk).

If you are looking for something a bit more grand, for...say, the wedding of the century... Skibo Castle, located in the Scottish Highlands near Dornoch, and Scottish-born industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Skibo was recently the improbable site of Madonna's marriage to Guy Ritchie. Its grounds encompass 7,500 beautifully landscaped rolling acres tumbling down from the castle to the Dornoch Firth. The castle has 200 rooms, including 20 available for overnight accommodations, a 7,000-book library, a marble swimming pool, and a gymnasium. Outdoor activities feature golf (three courses), grouse and deer hunting, fly fishing, riding, sailing, tennis, falconry, and more.

The castle and grounds are operated as part of the Carnegie Club, a private country club with over 500 members. Room rates start at around £600 ($900) per night. Besides the price, there is one hitch: you are only allowed to use Skibo as a guest once in your lifetime. If you wish to come back, you have to join the club at the rate of £3,000 ($4,500) per year. To get there, fly your Lear jet into Inverness Airport and have your driver take you to Skibo, about an hour away. For more information, contact the Carnegie Club at 011-44-1-862-894-600, www.carnegieclub.co.uk. is the ticket. Formerly the summer retreat of United States Steel founder and Scottish-born industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Skibo was recently the improbable site of Madonna's marriage to Guy Ritchie. Its grounds encompass 7,500 beautifully landscaped rolling acres tumbling down from the castle to the Dornoch Firth. The castle has 200 rooms, including 20 available for overnight accommodations, a 7,000-book library, a marble swimming pool, and a gymnasium. Outdoor activities feature golf (three courses), grouse and deer hunting, fly fishing, riding, sailing, tennis, falconry, and more.

The castle and grounds are operated as part of the Carnegie Club, a private country club with over 500 members. Room rates start at around £600 ($900) per night. Besides the price, there is one hitch: you are only allowed to use Skibo as a guest once in your lifetime. If you wish to come back, you have to join the club at the rate of £3,000 ($4,500) per year. To get there, fly your Lear jet into Inverness Airport and have your driver take you to Skibo, about an hour away. For more information, contact the Carnegie Club at 011-44-1-862-894-600, www.carnegieclub.co.uk.