Kinloch Lodge

At a Glance

The family home of the Macdonald clan, Kinloch Lodge is a charming, family-run property located on Loch na Dal. It is the only luxury hotel option on the Isle of Skye.

Indagare Loves

• The restaurant, which serves elevated, locally sourced cuisine that tastes uniquely of Skye
• The property’s extensive history, beginning in the 17th century
• The location on Loch na Dal, with views of the Cuillin Hills

Kinloch Lodge Hotel Review

Half of what is special about Kinloch Lodge comes from the land it sits on. This stretch of earth, tucked between rolling hills and the serene, salty waters of Loch na Dal, was the site of a farmhouse in the mid 17th century. That was only the first of its many iterations, which included a shooting lodge, a public bar and the family home of the Macdonald clan. It is the Macdonalds who turned this charming white building into a hotel 50 years ago, and it is the MacDonalds still that run it today.

The other half of what makes Kinloch special is its cozy character and delicious food. While Kinloch does not deliver five-star service or rooms, it does deliver in providing guests a relaxing, soulful place to stay in Skye where the family history is palpable—the owner, a MacDonald herself, greets all of her guests upon arrival and is very active around the property. The 14 bedrooms are bit outdated, but the common spaces are numerous and offer a comfortable, atmospheric and fire-lit place to relax—plus, most of visitors’ time is likely to be spent out exploring the island rather than in their rooms.

Though the overall style of the property gives off bed-and-breakfast vibes, the lunch and dinner served from the Kinloch kitchens are a true standout, worth enjoying regardless of whether you are a guest of the property. The seasonal menus draw out the unique flavors of Skye’s local ingredients, and they have a well-crafted international wine list as well as a whisky bar with 122 bottles.

Who Should Stay

Anyone hoping to spend a night or more on the Isle of Skye