Skibo Castle Skibo Castle ( Scottish Gaelic : Caisteal Sgìobail ) is located to the west of Dornoch in the Highland county of Sutherland , Scotland overlooking the Dornoch Firth . Although the castle dates back to the 12th century , the present structure is largely of the 19th century , and early 20th century , when it was the home of industrialist Andrew Carnegie . It is now operated as the Carnegie Club , a members - only hotel and country club . Etymology . According to William J . Watson , Skibo is the anglicisation of Scottish Gaelic " Sgìobal " , which in turn comes from an Old Norse name meaning either firewood - steading or Skithi ' s steading . It is also said that the name Skibo derives from the word " schytherbolle " , which is Gaelic for fairyland . History . Construction of Skibo Castle was started by Gilbert de Moravia , the Bishop of Caithness , around 1186 at " Schytherbolle " in the southern area of his bishopric . Skibo Castle remained the residence of subsequent bishops until 1545 , when the estate was , as a tactical measure by the church , given to John Gray in order to reinforce its alliance with a powerful family as the threat of a Protestant uprising spread towards the north . In 1745 , Robert Gray surrendered the estate . It was later bought by a relative who built a modern house before 1760 . Its ownership changed frequently until 1872 , when it was bought by Evan Charles Sutherland - Walker , who extended the house and improved the grounds . However , the condition of the building had declined by 1897 , when wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie took a one year lease , with an option to buy . In 1898 he exercised that option for £85 , 000 . However its condition had declined so much by this time that a further £2 million was spent on improvements , including an increase in area from to over , plus the creation of Loch Ospisdale and an 18 - hole golf course . Skibo stayed with the Carnegie family until 1982 . It was later purchased by businessman Peter de Savary and used as the foundation of a private members club , the Carnegie Club . Establishment of the club required restoration of the castle to recreate the luxury of an Edwardian sporting estate . Similar renovation was undertaken on the many lodges located amongst the castle grounds to provide additional accommodation for club members . De Savary sold the club to Ellis Short in 2003 , for £23million . In 2007 , Mr . Short allegedly threatened to shoot a retired couple ’ s dogs because they were walking across the estate ; in Scots law , the concept of trespass on open land does not exist . In May 2011 , a shoot manager on the Skibo Estate was convicted of possessing over 10 . 5 kg of carbofuran , a pesticide banned in the UK since 2001 . The Carnegie Club . The Carnegie Club is a members - only hotel and club , with about 400 members . The Carnegie links golf course has fewer than 1000 rounds played on it per annum . The funds raised from membership fees are reinvested , including upgrading some holes of the golf course . The club has received planning permission for restoration of the swimming pool . The Carnegie Club hosted Madonna ' s wedding reception to Guy Ritchie on 22 December 2000 . In 1995 , it had hosted the marriage of golfer Sam Torrance and the actress Suzanne Danielle . On 28 December 1997 it hosted the marriage of actor Robert Carlyle and his wife Anastasia Shirley . On 3 December 2006 , the BBC Television programme " Landward " featured the Burnett family who for several generations had been tenants of a farm on Skibo estate . The programme highlighted their search for a new farm following their eviction by the estate . The farm is now part of an off - road driving facility for the use of paying guests of the castle . In March 2008 , Skibo became a " members only " club , with only members and guests allowed to stay there Castle grounds . The grounds include Lake Louise , a very small artificial lake , and one of only a few bodies of water in Scotland known as lakes . The estate is listed on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland , the list of nationally significant designed landscapes .