Kintail Lodge Hotel

Kintail Lodge Hotel is located on the A87 road to Skye and is at the base of the Five Sisters of Kintail, and on the shores of Loch Duich. The location of the Kintail lodge hotel makes it an great setting off point for touring the surrounding areas of Lochalsh, Skye and the Western Highlands.  Avid walker? 30 of Scotland ’s Munros are in this area. For the less energetic, there are many tourist attractions – all suitable for day trips such as Eilean Donan Castle, Attadale Gardens, Isle of Skye, Plockton, and Applecross.

Depending on what time of year you decide to travel, and whether you select a  standard or superior room, prices vary from £45.00 to £60.00 per person per night.  There are 12 en-suite rooms to choose from, each with its own unique charm.  There’s plenty of selection with singles, doubles and twins to choose from – all having been recently refurbished to a very high standard.

On a budget?  Consider the Wee Bunk House or Trekkers lodge where prices are just £13.50 per bed per night!  All the usual amenities, such as snack kitchen with appliances, and so on.  They’ll even prepare a packed lunch for the next day if you ask in advance, which is handy.

There’s a lovely fireplace to sit near and sip a warming beverage, whether it be coffee, tea or malt whisky, resting upon large cushioned couches and having some pleasant conversation.

There’s also a bar, if you’re more inclined to having a few drinks, sampling the regional whisky’s or sharing tales of sights and scenes with fellow guests of the Kintail Lodge Hotel.

The Conservatory Restaurant overlooks the garden and loch and is open morning, noon and night.  Local produce, seafood and game are featured on the menu, with candlelight tables available for that special occasion.

Also close by are:

• Eilean Donan Castle – Scotland’s most photographed and most romantic castle?
• the Falls of Glomach – one of the highest waterfalls in Great Britain
• Glenelg – with its Brochs and General Wade’s Barracks
• Sandaig – with its Gavin Maxwell associations. Maxwell was the author of Ring of Bright Water and The Otters’ Tale.
• Glenshiel – site of 1719 Jacobite battle
• Skye Bridge (free) only 15 minutes away.

Tel: 01599 511275
Fax: 01599 511226
E-mail:  reception@kintaillodgehotel.co.uk
Website: Kintail Lodge Hotel Website

Dunorin House Hotel

MacLeod’s Tables

are a beautiful sight at any time of day.  Dunorin House Hotel, just a few miles from Dunvegan Castle, features views of MacLeod’s Tables, the Cuillins, and Loch Roag.  Having such fantastic views is a good reason to consider staying at Dunorin House!  Note that the above photo was not taken from Dunorin House Hotel, but is a lovely shot of the Tables, and was kindly provided by Adrian Fagg.

As you cross the Skye bridge, follow the A87 to Sligachan (which is Gaelic for ’shelly place’, named after the shells which were found on the original site).  Take the A863 to Dunvegan, passing it 3 miles.  There you’ll turn left at the Roag/Orbost junction.  A few hundred metres down the road and you’ll be at the Dunorin House Hotel.

Dunvegan is one of the few (and largest) villages on Skye which isn’t located on the island’s east coast.  It is also home to Dunvegan Castle, which dates back to the 1200’s, and was likely the location of a fort in centuries prior.  In Dunvegan you will find several quaint shops, the famous Giant Angus MacAskill Musuem, and several placed to dine or have a beverage.

MacLeod’s Tables are composed of the two flat-topped mountains Healabhal Beag (1601 ft) and Healabhal Mor (1538 ft).  If you enjoy a nice wee stroll, the summit of Helabhal Beag (the southern table) can be reached in about 2-3 hours.  Note the sarcasm…  although this is not like climbing Ben Nevis, it is a bit more than a wee stroll!  Whether you go for the summit, or enjoy the view from nearby, MacLeod’s Tables are full of history – and mystery… if you’ve heard the story of St. Columba.

The hotel dining room has views of the Cuillins across Loch Roag on a nice day. The restaurant menu does vary and includes of traditional Scottish fayre, using the finest local produce and it is complemented by a select wine list. I’d recommend trying the Baked Mallaig herrings with basil butter as a starter, or perhaps Loch Dunvegan Langoustines, before moving on to the main course. Hearty main courses are numerous, and all mouth-watering. Consider the Scottish Sirloin Steak served with a whisky & cream sauce or Skye Salmon en-croute with fresh leek cream.  Top it all off with a traditional home-made clootie dumpling for dessert.

Whatever the season, enjoy an after dinner beverage in the lounge.  Cooler months, cozy up in front of the open log fire and in summer, enjoy the views over Loch Roag.  There are, of course, a number of traditional malt whiskies, including none other than Talisker, a native of Skye.  The Talisker distillery is just down the road at Carbost and available for tours.

Room fares range from £45.00 to £70.00 per night. If you plan on spending a few days in the area, why not try the Special Offer of just £210.00 per person? This includes 3 nights stay, dinner and breakfast!

Address: Dunorin House Hotel, Herebost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8GZ

Telephone: 01470521488

Website:  Dunorin House Hotel Website

Borodale House – Raasay Hotel

Borodale House – Isle of Raasay Hotel

is a lovely, secluded, 3-star hotel set on the Isle of Raasay (Ratharsair).  To picture where it is located, imagine skipping a stone between the Scottish mainland, and the Isle of Skye.  Along the way, it would skip across Raasay.  The Isle of Raasay, which is Norse and means Roe Deer, being just 14 miles by 3 miles in size, has limited lodging options.  Borodale House is the only hotel on Raasay.

Borodale House offers 12 en-suite rooms, 10 of which overlook the Sound of Raasay, with particularly lovely views of the Cuillin Hills.  Rooms vary from ’standard’ to ’superior’, and priced accordingly. Upgrade to the superior rooms, which are larger and include everything from fresh flowers and fruit, hand made chocolates, Isle of Arran toiletries and very luxurious towels and linens.

Indirectly affiliated with Borodale House is the Isle of Rona Lodge owner Bill Cowie.  If you would like a bit of an island-hopping holiday, and to get away from it all, then look no further.  Rona is only accessible by boat from Portree or Raasay, has abundant wildlife, ruined settlements to explore, great fishing and more.  There are three holiday cottages, a bothy, camping or a bed and breakfast to choose.

Just like Rona, Borodale House is not open all year-round, so be sure to call well in advance, particularly during the cooler months of the year.  The hotel can be reached via the Sconser ferry terminal at Portree.

Many photos of Raasay feature the familiar flat-topped peak of Dun Caan, towering over the island at 1456 feet.  There are plenty of interesting geologic features, as well as plant and animal life, which are unique to the island such as the Raasay vole, pine martens, mountain hares, white-tailed sea eagles and the magnificent golden eagles.  There are numerous red deer, rabbits, otters and even water shrews.  Some of the more noteworthy plants include the carline thistle and red broomrape, plus several pines, ferns, orchids and saxifrages.

If you are looking for one of the Isle of Skye Hotels which is off the beaten path, unspoiled, and something special, consider Borodale House on the Isle of Raasay.

Address: Isle Of Raasay Hotel, Isle of Raasay, Isle of Skye, IV40 8PB

Telephone: 01478660222

Website:  Borodale House Isle of Raasay Hotel Website

Uig Hotel

Uig Hotel on Uig Bay

is found on the Trotternish Peninsula and has relaxing views of Uig Bay and Loch Snizort and surrounding area. Start with the crocodile and scallops, a bit unusual, but worth the risk, move on to the Springbok fillet, and be sure to leave room for the lovely pudding and perhaps a Scottish coffee.

The Uig Hotel has 15 rooms which face Uig Bay and makes this property a good selection for those wanting an authentic Scottish accommodation at a Skye hotel.  At one time this was a coaching inn with former steading, Sobhraig House, above the hotel.

Ferry connections between Lochmaddy on North Uist and Tarbert on Harris make this accessible, yet the perfect place to get away from it all.  Have a beverage in front of one of the warm fires, or in the sun-lounge which overlooks the bay.

Sobhraig House has been converted to lodging with a very high standard, and its rooms have lovely views as well.  There’s no hustle and bustle that you get at the large properties in Sleat or Portree, and serves as a good stop for a night as you plan a multi-day tour of the Isle of Skye.

Address: Uig Hotel, Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9YE

Telephone: 01470542205

Website:  Uig Hotel Website

Ardvasar Hotel

Ardvasar Hotel

is one of the oldest, if not THE oldest Isle of Skye lodging, having been built just after the turn of the century, in the early 1800’s.  Its idyllic setting, with incredible views of the Knoydart Mountains and the Sound of Sleat, are quite noteworthy and show off the splendor of the West Highlands of Scotland.

Be sure to take the route through Mallaig, which deserves some time in its own right, before heading over on the ferry to Armadale, which is just a few hundred metres to the Ardvasar Hotel.

The rooms, all 10 are en-suite of course, vary in price from £48 to £115 per person, per night, and include breakfast.

The menu features local game, seafood, and of course Angus beef, which is sure to please.  If you’d prefer, there are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and a range of dining options to suit your tastes and needs.

I find refreshing the fact that the hotel is children and pet friendly, just by letting them know in advance.

Address: Ardvasar, Sleat, Isle of Skye, IV45 8RS

Telephone: 01471844223

Website: Ardvasar Hotel Website

Dunvegan Hotel

Dunvegan Hotel

is a fully non-smoking facility, on the Duirinish peninsula, and offers views of MacLeod’s Tables and Loch Dunvegan. Enjoy a relaxing meal of local seafood and shellfish, bird watching, hillwalking or just exploring the area and its history. Thursday through Saturday during peak season, there is live entertainment in the Cellar Bar, guaranteed to add to the charm of Scotland.

If you have a group of friends or family, consider the Bunkhouse, which sleeps 6, has an en-suite and central heating, and other standard amenities.  Whether staying in the main hotel or bunkhouse, I’m sure that you’ll agree this is one of the fine lodging choices on Skye.

From the restaurant, which is open Easter through October, there are fantastic views of MacLeod’s Tables and The Cuillins.  Adjoining the Cellar Bar is a waterfront beer garden and terrace, which are ideal for enjoying a cold beverage and colourful sunset.

Address: Dunvegan Hotel, Main Street, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8WA

Telephone: 01471844223

Website: Dunvegan Hotel Website

Eilean Iarmain Hotel

Eilean Iarmain Hotel

is also known as Isle Ornsay Hotel, and is one of the fine 3-Star Hotels located at a sheltered bay with views across the Sound of Sleat to the Knoydart hills. The authentic Scottish feel has been preserved thanks to tartan carpets, and period decor. The Birlinn 2AA Rosette restaurant offers a wide selection of fine dining dishes.

The hotel is decorated with traditional furnishings and linens. The reception rooms feature log fires and the dining room is wood paneled, which gives it a warm appeal.

Have a lovely candlelit dinner at the Birlinn 2AA Rosette restaurant, and enjoy overlooking the bay and the island of Ornsay.  There are a wide variety of local seafood and game selections on the menu, which has 5 or more selections for each course.

The Praban bar offers a decent selection of bottled and draught beer, which of course must include the local real ale and a proper selection of malt whiskies from across Scotland.  The bar often has themed food evenings and regular ceilidh nights with some traditional Gaelic song and Scottish music.

Hotel prices range from £50.00 to £80.00 per person, per night, for a Standard Room up to the Suites, which run from £85.00 to £125.00.  Be sure to call first for reservations and price confirmation.

Fearann Eilean Iarmain, the name of the estate where the hotel is located, was originally a portion of the ancient Macdonald property (23,000 acres from Sleat to Strath in southern Skye).  It is an area of great natural beauty which has moorland, woodlands, hills and seashore.  Bird life is plentiful, and a wide variety of plants and wild flowers thrive here. This area is known as Lios an Eilein, or The Garden of Skye and is famous for its geology.

Arguably one of the most underrated accommodation on Skye, Eilean Iarmain is sure to please.

Address: Isle Ornsay, Sleat, Isle Of Skye, IV43 8QR

Telephone: 01471833332

Website: Eilean Iarmain Hotel Website