Until recently, I’m ashamed to admit I have never visited Skye, so when the opportunity arose I jumped at the chance.
Putting aside the breathtaking scenery and charms of the island (voted fourth best in the world by National Geographic magazine), what intrigued me most was my forthcoming stay at Skeabost Hotel, just a few miles north of Portree.
Skeabost was built in 1870 as a hunting lodge with the owners inviting their grand friends up to Skye for hunting, shooting and fishing weekends, then many years later was established as a hotel. My friend, Mike, fondly remembered being introduced to his first taste of gin at the Skeabost, many moons ago.
Our first sighting of the hotel was quite stunning, elegant and shining white in the sunshine – it would not have looked out of place in an Agatha Christie movie, set among gardens which headed down past the golf course and to the edge of Loch Snizort. I’m a complete sucker for old-style glamour and couldn’t wait to see inside.
The hotel has exchanged hands many times over the years and in April, hoteliers Anne Gracie and Ken Gunn became the newest owners. Anne and Ken already run two well established hotels on the island and felt it was time for Skeabost to be given the tender, loving care it fully deserved.
Anne’s daughter Jen and her husband Matt have taken on the daunting task of giving Skeabost a new injection of life and their enthusiasm and fondness of the hotel are evident.
Skeabost did not disappoint. A fabulous blend of Victorian features with the addition of stylish furniture, tweeds and soft furnishings being used throughout adds a classy but modern twist to a traditional setting.
The hotel is undergoing a refurbishment albeit in a gentle, behind-the-scenes manner. Over the weekend I noticed Jen coming and going with lamps and cushions still in their wrappers and candles magically appearing. To celebrate the first weekend of autumn, fires were being lit and with an abundance of candles, Skeabost took on a cosy and intimate feel.
The owners had uncovered visitor books dating back many, many years and displayed them to share with guests. I found this fascinating. Visitors had travelled from far and wide so I gathered a real sense that Skeabost had once been a magnificent hotel visited by rich and glamorous guests.
Jen and Matt have a wonderful, hard working and friendly team who pamper you at every opportunity. Whenever we returned from sightseeing we were warmly greeted and ushered into the lovely drawing room with a pot of coffee – nothing was any trouble and we felt more like house guests than hotel guests.
At Skeabost you’ll find 14 bedrooms which have been refurbished to a high, boutique-style standard; sitting rooms in which to relax with a book or chat to fellow guests, and a cosy snug bar to enjoy a pre-dinner drink.
Skeabost’s clever chef James Dickson offers a menu to suit all palates and each dish looked stunning as well as tasting delicious. Local produce with unusual and creative additions were served and lots of satisfied noises were heard from our table. The hotel offers an extensive wine list which included a fine wine selection for wine buffs.
Skeabost has lots to offer with walks you can take nearby, golf on the nine-hole, 18-tee course and fishing. It’s ideally located on Skye to easily visit the many tourist attractions and Portree. However, for someone of my lazy disposition, I also loved the chance to totally relax, unwind and enjoy the ambience.
Skeabost Hotel, Skeabost Bridge, Isle of Skye. Phone 01470 532202 or e-mail: info@skeabosthotel.com
