Make the Isle of Skye your next staycation choice, where brooding hills, white-powder beaches, sustainable eateries, storied distilleries and one seriously stylish check-in await
13 March, 2023
Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Spent last night enjoying Attenborough’s highly anticipated new
Wild Isles docuseries? The rest of the nation, too. Just five
minutes into the episode, we found ourselves gently reminded of the
utterly enchanting landscapes and wonderful wildlife to be found in
our own backyard – which quickly led to us plotting our next great
British adventure.
Enter, the Isle of Skye. The largest and northernmost island of
the Inner Hebrides, dotted with shimmering, windswept lochs and
jagged peaks, this Scottish destination might be considered
off-grid geographically, but it’s home to a thriving foodie scene
that rivals that of some of the UK’s coolest neighbourhoods – think
sustainable eateries and arguably the world’s finest native
oysters. Plus, book now and you’ll be among the first to experience
The Bracken Hide Hotel, a new address offering a collection of
contemporary bothies designed with savvy explorers in mind.
The Fairy Pools, left, and a sneak peek at The Bracken Hide.
| Photo credits: Karen Cann / Unsplash.com / The Bracken
Hide.
The Fairy Pools. Located at the foot of the dramatic Cuillin
hills, pockets of gin-clear water see adventurous types braving the
chilly depths for a wild-swim sesh. If the weather plays ball, make
tracks to the white sands of Coral Beach.
The countdown is on for 31 March, when The Bracken Hide
Hotel is set to officially open its doors, blessing Skye with
45 timber-clad cabins, a whisky-stacked bar, design-driven
restaurant, Nordic sauna and cinema. Stay in one of the wilderness
cabins, partly for the king-size beds and underfloor heating, but
largely for the undisturbed views across Loch Portree. We’ll meet
you there for a s’mores session.
No one does it better than our good friends over at Kinloch Lodge –
and it’s all praise to head chef Jordan Webb for delivering the
seasonal goodness. If it’s breakfast you’re after, order the
award-winning oatmeal porridge spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon,
followed by the hearty Scottish grill – all pork sausages, smoked
back bacon and black pudding served on a bed of fried mushrooms,
vine tomatoes and perfectly buttered granary toast. Come
suppertime, Highland beef tartare, crab toast, pan-fried cod,
cheese boards and foraged delights come out to play. Looking for
something a little more relaxed? The pared-back dining set-up at
Red
Skye Restaurant delivers.
Shelves brimming with spirits, left, alongside a dish of
fresh loch mussels. | Photo credit: Adam Wilson / Unsplash.com /
Kinloch Lodge.
You don’t need us to tell you that Scotland is home to the
greatest density of whisky production in the world. But, what we
will tell you is that your drinking den of choice should be
Talisker – Skye’s oldest working distillery. Set on
the scenic shores of Loch Harport, the distillery follows an
old-school method of serving your dram without the addition of an
ice cube – a more warming prospect in Scotland’s sometimes-harsh
temperatures. Insider tip: spirit lovers should book to go on the
multisensory tasting tour.
Your friend who hosts a popcorn party every time Attenborough
takes to the screen – they’ll already have taken note of Skye’s
shoutout in the new series.
To pack like a proper glamping pro, and for on-the-go hot and
cold drinks, snag an award-winning Ocean Bottle. The sustainable warriors behind it
promise that every purchase pays for 1,000 ocean-bound plastic
bottles to be collected, meaning you can enjoy each sip and slurp
knowing that you’re both reducing plastic waste and helping to
clear it up, too. Loving the gorpcore trend? Grab this Patagonia down sweater vest. A lightweight and
windproof jacket crafted from recycled fishing nets, it makes for a
functional and stylish staple.
We suggest taking a direct flight from London Heathrow to
Glasgow International Airport, then making the five-hour train
journey from Glasgow to Mallaig, from where it’s a 30-minute ferry
crossing to Skye.
