From dolphin spotting to whisky drinking, beaches and mountains to lochs and coastal adventures, a Hebridean holiday offers its own unique brand of Scottish adventure and relaxation.
Each island has a distinct character to be enjoyed, but wherever you go, you can count on superb, locally sourced food and drink as well as a warm welcome waiting when you arrive.
Here, the Good Hotel Guide shares 10 of the top hotels in the Hebrides to visit post lockdown.
The Colonsay, Isle of Colonsay
Like something out of a storybook, The Colonsay is the island’s only hotel, set on the hillside above the harbour. Sweeping views to the Isle of Jura greet you when you wake in the morning.
The inn is the hub of village life, and the tranquillity of the natural surroundings is offset by the convivial vibe within.
Meanwhile, the experience is uniquely Scottish, serving up a feast of local ingredients at dinner and with each room named after a local location.
Argyll Hotel, Isle of Iona
A small, 19th century hotel on the sparsely populated Isle of Iona, the Argyll Hotel could not be more homely.
Owners Wendy and Rob MacManaway and Katy and Dafydd Russon make a concerted effort to keep things as sustainable as possible. This is particularly evident when it comes to food with ethically sourced meat and fish, vegetables and salads grown mainly in the organic garden and bread, pastries and cakes made on site.
Interiors are cosy and understated, including exposed stone walls and a wood-burning stove in the living area, and guests wake to magnificent views across the Sound of Iona to Mull.
Viewfield House, Isle of Skye
Surrounded by 20 acres of woodland garden, Viewfield House on the Isle of Skye has been in the Macdonald family for generations.
Traditional interiors give it a comforting vibe, complete with pretty wallpapers, antique furniture and memorabilia.
Food includes Scottish classics such as porridge, haddock and smoked salmon at breakfast, and evening meals are informal.
The hotel is dog-friendly, which is good news for those who want to get out and explore; while in a touch of luxury they also have their own yacht, which can be booked for half-day trips to see Skye from the water.
Scarista House, Isle of Harris
This remote Georgian former manse sits between a white-sand beach and heather-clad mountains, in a setting befitting a storybook.
The experience is enchanting from the moment you walk in to be greeted with a pot of leaf tea, home-baked cake and scones.
Each room has its own unique details. For example, Lily has a super-king-size bed, a bookshelf bedhead stocked with Penguin classics, and an anteroom in which to sit and watch the sunset.
At dinner they serve organic, wild and home-produced ingredients and at breakfast the eggs from the house hens when they are laying.
Kinloch Lodge, Sleat
This elegant, white retreat on the edge of Loch Na Dal is a former hunting lodge owned by Lord and Lady Macdonald.
Public rooms reference the property’s history, with family portraits and heirlooms peppered throughout. However, bedrooms have been given a luxury makeover in recent years and are all individually styled.
Roam the grounds, tuck into local fare, enjoy cooking workshops from Roux protégé Marcello Tully or take fishing, but foraging and bushcraft lessons from the ghillie.
The Three Chimneys and The House Over-By, Isle of Skye
A world-renowned restaurant and five-star hotel in the remote north of Skye, on the outside, The Three Chimneys and The House Over-By is an understated, whitewashed stone crofter’s cottage.
On the inside, this restaurant-with-rooms is the epitome of modern, laid back style. This is a place that’s all about food and views, turning the whole thing into a sensory experience.
Rooms feature fresh milk and home-baked treats as well as luxury spa products and elegant design.
You can enjoy a malt whisky or cocktail in the lounge by the log burner, and at meals you are invited to tuck into the finest locally grown, raised, shot, fished or foraged ingredients.
Coll Hotel, Isle of Coll
The only pub on the Isle of Coll, Coll Hotel is a restorative base from which to explore the island’s spectacular beaches, dark-sky park and wildlife.
Perfectly positioned to take in views to Mull and the Treshnish isles, bedrooms are pristine and unfussy.
Home-baked goods are ready and waiting for arriving guests, and dinner is a celebration of local produce including creel-caught lobster and crab, fish landed in Oban and grass-fed lamb.
Bridgend Hotel, Isle of Islay
With two distilleries on the island, whisky is something of a tradition that the Bridgend Hotel is happy to keep alive with their bar keeping a plentiful supply of the region’s finest.
The pretty country house was once the seat of powerful Lords of the Isles and dates back to 1849. These days it continues offering hospitality, with 11 rooms to choose from, all simply but elegantly decorated.
Explore the island by day, spotting seals and sea eagles, and sip gin in a tartan-carpeted lounge by the fire in the evening.
Tigh an Dochais, Isle of Skye
Large windows let in the light and views of sea and mountains at Tigh an Dochais, a contemporary B&B looking towards Broadford Bay and the Cuillin hills. Clean lines and minimalist design of the building make way for plump sofas and tartan touched interiors, together creating a stylish sense of warmth to your stay.
Larch decking areas allow you to really take in your surroundings. Breakfast, served communally, is generously supplied with homemade breads, muffins and plenty of Skye sausages produced from the owners’ own pigs.
Loch Gorm House, Isle of Islay
On Islay’s northern shore, Loch Gorm House enjoys spectacular views over the bay as well as carefully kept gardens for guests to relax in.
As the hostess is a florist, the B&B is always filled with beautiful flower arrangements, and thoughtful details make it an easy place to settle into. For example, they provide wellies, coats and beach towels for daytime adventures.
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