Viewers are captivated once again as The Traitors has returned to our screens for a second series with a fresh set of strangers holed up in a castle with murder on their minds.
Twenty-two contestants have been battling it out against the beautiful backdrop of the Scottish Highlands to back-stab their way to a share of up to £120,000.
Host Claudia Winkleman has presided over proceedings as the 22 have been whittled down to 10 in a tense week of treachery.
With just four episodes remaining of the series, tension is mounting and conduct becoming ever-more questionable in this Bafta award-winning BBC series.
But one thing remains beyond reproach – the setting.
Here’s the low-down on the best-kept secret on the show.
Where is The Traitors Castle?
Ardross Castle in Alness, 30 miles north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, is the location for the filming of The Traitors.
Built in the 19th century in the Scottish baronial style, it boasts formal gardens and 100 acres (405,000 sq m) of parkland on the banks of the River Alness.
Once used by the First Duke of Sutherland as hunting lodge, it was later sold to Sir Alexander Matheson who redesigned the building to create the castle seen today.
Architect Alexander Ross was commissioned to remodel the castle in the Scots Baronial style.
In 1898, the castle was bought by C. W. Dyson Perrins, a captain in the Highland Light Infantry with interests in the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company and Lea & Perrins (Worcester sauce).
But the estate was broken up and sold in 1937 and was not reunited until it was bought by the McTaggart family in 1983, who have renovated and restored the castle and grounds and now hire it out for weddings, corporate events and the odd television show.
Sadly, it’s not open to the public for visits.
Filming for this series and the first has taken place within the castle, the grounds and the nearby countryside on the banks of the River Alness.
A funeral procession by the Traitors this week revealed the splendour of Ardross’s scenery as the contestants made their way through the grounds to witness the demise of one of their own.
While a crossbow session showed off the gothic interior of the castle to its full extent.
What did Claudia Winkleman make of the location?
It may be a world away from the glitz and glamour of the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom but The Traitors host admitted, after filming the first series on location, it was a pleasure and she had “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,” she added.
The Highland climate has seen her don more than her fair share of tweed but she remained so smitten she FaceTimed her kids telling them how the Highlands were “magical”.
How to watch series two of The Traitors
The first of 12 episode of the second series of The Traitors began on Wednesday 3 January at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Episode nine will air on BBC One on Friday 19 January at 9pm.
And the show’s remaining episodes will then air on successive Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
