Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 19 on 20/3/2005.

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Hotels making a meal of it

In exclusive association with HotelReviewScotland.com

Three Chimneys & House Over-By
By Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
Tel: +44 (0)1470 511 258
The dramatic Isle of Skye is a perennialfavourite: but where to eat and stay? Well a witty cast-iron lobster weather vane, artfully placed over the Three Chimneys House Over-By and its designer bedrooms, swivels in the winds of change, and points to one of Scottish tourism’s true success stories. Thigibh a-steach…

The food came first, the restaurant in a restored croft opening 20 years ago. The new bedrooms were added in 1999. So, how does the Three Chimneys stack up? Arrive in the chic reception foyer with its mulberry tweed sofas, oils, flowers, table of books, information and stack of CDs and DVDs; adjacent is the breakfast room with its big views (its wildly fresh breakfast buffet is unusual). Corridors are hung with evocative black-and-white images of the island. It all has integrity.

Shirley Spear has worked hard in this place and now has Michael Smith at her side; he becomes head chef in 2005. Everything is founded on the very best of ingredients and dinner leaves one in little doubt of that; you want to stay for a week and sample the lot. Seafood is vibrant, while Eddie Spear (pictured above) offers his intoxicatingly interesting wine list. Open for lunch and dinner, you must book. In the spacious bedrooms, everything is well-judged and distinctive; this is modern luxury: thoughtful, quiet, restful, effective and enjoyable stuff. Altogether, it’s a uniquely fine place.

The Cross at Ki.....

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By Dominic Roskrow

Section : Best of Scotland

Page number : 56