Fort William and Lochaber

Eilean Iarmain Hotel

unspoiled — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:00:45 +0000

Eilean Iarmain Hotel

is also known as Isle Ornsay Hotel, and is one of the fine 3-Star Isle of Skye 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 3-Star Isle of Skye Hotels, Eilean Iarmain is sure to please. Address: Isle Ornsay, Sleat, Isle Of Skye, IV43 8QR Telephone: 01471833332 Website: Eilean Iarmain Hotel Website

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Kintail Lodge Hotel

unspoiled — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:57:55 +0000

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 priced for the budget traveller! 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

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Wedding venue, perfect, romantic Skye.

unspoiled — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:20:55 +0000

Duisdale House Hotel is a gorgeous Victorian house set on a hillside in Sleat featuring bold modern colours, fabrics and wallcoverings.

Superior rooms include four poster beds and wonderful views. The restaurant is the perfect romantic setting, being candlelit and with log fires in winter.

Be sure the check out the Skye langoustines or Scotch beef, topped off with one of a wide selection of whisky’s. Whether you prefer a garden, forest, or view across the Sound of Sleat, there’s a room for you.

The views truly have to be seen to be fully appreciated. Duisdale House Hotel is the perfect getaway for couples having a romantic holiday or celebrating a special occasion. If you’re looking for Isle of Skye accommodation, be sure the check out Duisdale House before booking! Duisdale House Hotel is one of the Isle of Skye Hotels popular for weddings, receptions and honeymoons, thanks to it’s warm, romantic design and furnishings, fabrics, and attention to detail.

We recommend this 4-Star hotel for weddings, because they know how things work. From use of the hotel and gardens to printed wedding menus, table plans, linen napkins, cake knife, custom menus, wines, the whole nine yards. We’re not alone in our love for Duisdale as a wedding venue. Just check out their website where links are posted to visitor comments and awards they’ve won. Or, look at the popular review sites and see how well they score. You won’t be sorry. Address: Duisdale House Hotel, Isle Ornsay, Sleat, Isle of Skye, IV43 8QW Telephone: 01471833202 Website: Duisdale House Hotel Website

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Dunorin House Hotel

unspoiled — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:00:28 +0000

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 tariffs can be found on the weblink below. Address: Dunorin House Hotel, Herebost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8GZ Telephone: 01470521488 Website: Dunorin House Hotel Website

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Skye Hotels, Small Hotels and Country House Hotels

unspoiled — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:00:11 +0000

3 Types of Isle of Skye Hotels

A Hotel, as distinguished by VisitScotland, will have at least 20 rooms and have the same standard offerings as Small Hotels, such as facilities, meals, and drinks. It”s extremely uncommon to not find lunch available at an Isle of Skye Hotel.

The larger hotels will have personality and a flair of their own, but will often not be managed day to day by one owner, which is common at the Small Hotels. A Small Hotel generally ranges in size from 6 to 20 rooms for let. Bedrooms typically have some form of private facilities and are generally ensuite. While breakfast and dinner are regularly served, a select few may, on rare occasion, not offer lunch. A drinks licence is standard for Small Hotels, though some may carry the restricted licence. What sets Small Hotels apart from their bigger brother Hotels is the owner influence on the property.

No two Small Hotels are the same, thanks to the style, and often personality, of the owner. These hotels are guaranteed to have a unique charm of their own, making them distinguishable from all others on the island. Country House Hotels are frequently luxurious properties with large garden areas, and will be found off the beaten path in rural areas. In addition to the standard facilities, meals and drinks, you can count on finding some peace, quiet, and tranquility at a Country House Hotel.

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Ardvasar Hotel

unspoiled — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:15:26 +0000

Ardvasar Hotel

is one of the oldest, if not THE oldest Isle of Skye Hotels, 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 and start from £45 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 friendly. Address: Ardvasar, Sleat, Isle of Skye, IV45 8RS Telephone: 01471844223 Website: Ardvasar Hotel Website

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Nicely put together “mountain biking” video

unspoiled — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:51:24 +0000

An awesome video from Lord Hedlund

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Sailing on Skye

unspoiled — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:40:11 +0000

Isle of Skye Yachting

Whether you prefer to sail or motor, there selection is good. Isle of Skye Yachts offer a wonderful skippered charter service, usually lasting a week, or bareboat charter service for those skilled already. Many people enjoy circumnavigating the Isle of Skye, dining either out on the boat, or at remote sites, checking out the wildlife including seals, whales, dolphins, sharks and puffins, and taking in some hillwalking, especially at the harder to access from roads points of call. If you’re not an experienced skipper, but would like to learn, you’ll be pleased to know that Isle of Skye Yachts are an approved Royal Yachting Association training centre. Personally, I prefer to take advantage of the skippered charter service myself! At last count, the fleet consisted of 10+ yachts, ranging in size from the ‘Sleat Princess’ at 33 feet (with 6 berths) up to the ‘Countess of Sleat’ at 44 feet in length, with 10 berths. There is plenty of room for everyone, and a good time to be had by all. The current fleet consists of:

Countess of Sleat – 44′ – 10 berths – Elan Impression 434
Sandpiper – 43′ 9″ – 10 berths – Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43
Sapphire – 42′ 11″ – 8 berths – Beneteau Oceanis 423
Spirit of May – 40′ - 6 berths – Dufour 40
Sleat Lady – 39′ 4″ – 8 berths – Beneteau Oceanis 393
Sleat Queen – 38′ 5″ – 8 berths – Beneteau Oceanis 381
Sonas Mhor – 37′ 5″ – 8 berths – Bavaria 36
Thistle – 37′ 5″ – 8 berths – Bavaria 36
Janet Macarthur – 36′ – 8 berths – Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i
Lady Naomi – 36′ – 8 berths – Legend 36
Sleat Princess – 33′ 9″ – 6 berths – Bavaria 32

Yacht reservations are recommended well in advance, though on occasion you may get lucky with a last minute booking. Telephone: 01471 844216 Website: Isle of Skye Yachts Website

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Cuillin Ridge

unspoiled — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:24:55 +0000

Thanks again to the natural beauty found on the Isle of Skye in Western Scotland, as well as the wonders of Creative Commons licensed content on Flickr. While it’s doubtful that you’ll find these colours naturally, with the proper technique in HDR photoshoots, the Isle of Skye can come alive in vivid technicolour!

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Isle of Skye Cliffs

unspoiled — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:05:02 +0000

Where land meets sea is truly dramatic in many Isle of Skye photos. This shot clearly illustrates the striking contrasts, colours, and natural scenic beauty.

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