Time to head to the South of the island to visit or revisit the renowned Kinloch Lodge
Kinloch Lodge has the feel of a traditional country home combined with world-class cuisine and service. It is the epitome of a home from home, with wonderful Highland hospitality and just the right level of luxury for an unforgettable stay. Its location is simply fantastic: away from the main road, in its own grounds at the foot of a mountain and at the head of Loch na Dal. This is a place where you can feel part of the landscape and surrounding natural area.
Kinloch Lodge is a family business and is currently managed by Isabella MacDonald who took over the running of the hotel from her parents. Kinloch has been owned by the MacDonald family for generations and homeliness is the feeling you get when you step in.
We made the most of this feeling in the drawing room, shooting photos by the fireplace, hugged by the warmth of the careful chosen items, family pictures and ornaments.
We draped a beautiful Herdwick fleece over the red leather chair and a soft double Natural Brown sheepskin over the footstool cum coffee table for added texture. Just the right place to relax and enjoy a drink from the bar's wonderful selection of Scottish spirits.
Kinloch Lodge may be a traditional hotel but it is constantly reinventing itself to keep up with the times. This is apparent in the recent refurbishments of the guest bedrooms, each individually designed with tones and materials chosen to reflect the colours of Skye and the local landscape.
The suite we photographed is a blend of soft green, blue and grey tones, with beautiful patterned wallpaper, Sevres bedside lamps and a soft bed counterpane.
We used a quadruple natural white sheepskin on the sofa and a light-coloured mosaic rug by the bed as a luxurious textured accent that would not interfere with the subtle colour scheme.
A place to rest your head! And did we mention the fantastic roll-top bath with a view?
The environment around Kinloch is such that it provides a wealth of activities on your doorstep. With the help of Kinloch's own guide, Skye Ghillie, guests can experience fishing, foraging, deer stalking, wildlife watching... Adventure awaits!
Guests can also attend cookery classes and masterclasses. Kinloch Lodge, to many, is synonymous with food so we had to go and take and visit the kitchens and the man at the helm of it all, Marcello Tully.
Marcello has been at the helm of the Kinloch kitchen for over ten years now, taking on the challenge to move it from strength to strength. And the success of this endeavour is clear for all to see with a focus on the exceptional quality of the Scottish seasonal larder.
The menus at Kinloch Lodge are an ode to locally-sourced fresh food, beautifully delivered in imaginative but respectful ways.
In his book, the Key Ingredient, Marcello talks about some of his favourite food as well as his professional and culinary influences, from the flavours of Brazil to the years working with Albert Roux.
We ask Marcello a few quirky questions on his likes and dislikes:
Creatively messy or professionally pristine?
Professionally pristine!
What was the last picture you took on your phone?
Some huge, live crabs delivered to the kitchen this morning
What would you do with an afternoon to yourself?
Time with family is so rare and precious, so I’d always choose to go for a bike ride with my boys and Claire (my wife), and then a barbecue in our garden.
What’s your most loved and loathed food?
Most loved food is chilli, then scallops. Most loathed food: cloves in anything at all, I hate the flavour.
When did you last shed a tear at a movie?
This morning, cutting onions …!
Who inspires you?
Albert Roux – the ‘Godfather’ of cooking and my boss for 6 years and Brazilian racing driver – RIP – Ayrton Senna. Formula One racing is a huge passion of mine!
