The Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye

Tucked away in the remote hamlet of Colbost on the northwestern fringes of the Isle of Skye is this divine ‘Restaurant with Rooms’. Don’t panic as everyone thinks that they have taken a wrong turn en route at least once; just settle in and enjoy the scenic ride. The sublime setting overlooking the silvery sliver of Loch Dunvegan won The Three Chimneys yet another award last year from the Observer for the best setting of any restaurant in the UK.

The Three Chimneys is a Real Escape

The legendary husband and wife team of Eddie and Shirley Spear have conjured up a real escape where the troubles of the twenty first century feel a very very long way away indeed. Hide from the world, only surfacing at lunch and dinner to enjoy the charms of one of Scotland’s most famous restaurants where the shellfish is plucked fresh from the loch outside your room.

Stylish Rooms at the House Over-By

There are six suites set in a sympathetically styled newer wing, the House Over-By. The rooms manage to skilfully tread the fine line between being stylishly minimalist without being cold, and they are certainly well equipped with an appealing mix of flatscreen TVs, CD players and generous bathtubs. Local art and fresh flowers complete the experience. Each room enjoys sea views: gaze west down the loch towards the open Minch and the distant Outer Hebrides. Open the patio door to be greeted by a tang of sweet sea air.

Dining at the Three Chimneys is Sublime

The fabulous restaurant is set in a converted old croft. Enjoy an aperitif before heading through for the main event. We like the booths the best as you go in, but there is no bad seat. Shirley Spear proudly explains the secret behind the restaurant’s success: ‘We still try to source everything as locally as possible with salads and greens from Glendale, langoustines plucked from just outside in Loch Dunvegan, crabs from down the road at Bracadale and our scallops from Sconser.’ When Spear talks of getting food from further afield she does not mean a nationwide wholesaler, but fresh fish from Mallaig and cheese from the West Highland Dairy just across the Skye bridge in Achmore.

Exploring this Corner of the Isle of Skye

You can ramble off down the road on foot and just soak up the loch views. If you have a bike even better. Just up the road is Skye Silver, where you can snare some unique jewellery. Drive to Neist Lighthouse if you want to enjoy a windswept getaway that makes Colbst feel like Manhattan. Walkers are in heaven on Skye, while visitors looking for a more relaxed time can enjoy a wee dram at the Talisker Distillery or delve into the island’s burgeoning arts and crafts scene.

The Three Chimney’s, Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8ZT. Tel: +44 (0)1470-511258. www.threechimneys.co.uk

InsiderScotland Rating

For Families 6/10

For a Romantic Break 9/10

For Food 10/10

For Business People 8/10

InsiderScotland Rating 9/10