FLODIGARRY COUNTRY HOUSE
A country-house Isle of Skye high
WE'RE ON THE ISLE of Skye’s romantic north-east coast. Snuggled below Quiraing Mountain, Flodigarry sits safely above the waves of Staffin Bay. Quaint whitewashed Flora’s Cottage is tucked into the secluded grounds beside this original 19th century house with its pretty garden.
Here’s where legendary Scottish heroine Flora MacDonald lived after helping Bonnie Prince Charlie flee Culloden’s battlefield in 1746. The place is still an escape: perfection for wildlife lovers who, on coming indoors, get swept up in the hospitable embrace of warmly furnished rooms and crackling fires. Bedrooms are a delight, with antiques aplenty, tartans and wood and (in some) Victorian cast iron baths.
Panoramic sea and mountain views abound. Chef calls on the island’s freshest ingredients, with dinners beautifully served by candlelight. Seafood is caught daily, produce is garden-grown while breads are home-baked. Enjoy a dram of Talisker house malt or join in a foot-tapping ceilidh complete with pipe and fiddles.
Hit the spot
Across the waves from cliffy Staffin island
Bedtime
Try Quiraing or Torridon, double rooms with four-posters and stunning views.
Be savvy
You're in hill walking country, so get booted up!
Be smitten
Just the place for modern-day Floras and their leading men.
Whale and wildlife watching
The owners tend Flodigarry with panache. Flora’s Cottage makes an adorable hideout, while the Quiraing and Torridon rooms enjoy four-posters and outstanding views. Enjoy relaxed silver-service dining with golden-touch cuisine that’s big on seafood, beef and game. Share whispers in the secret lovers’ garden, take scenic walks, go whale or wildlife watching or set sail on a boat trip (and fish for your supper).
Flodigarry Country House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mark MacGee
Here’s where legendary Scottish heroine Flora MacDonald lived after helping Bonnie Prince Charlie flee Culloden’s battlefield in 1746. The place is still an escape: perfection for wildlife lovers who, on coming indoors, get swept up in the hospitable embrace of warmly furnished rooms and crackling fires. Bedrooms are a delight, with antiques aplenty, tartans and wood and (in some) Victorian cast iron baths.
Panoramic sea and mountain views abound. Chef calls on the island’s freshest ingredients, with dinners beautifully served by candlelight. Seafood is caught daily, produce is garden-grown while breads are home-baked. Enjoy a dram of Talisker house malt or join in a foot-tapping ceilidh complete with pipe and fiddles.
Hit the spot
Across the waves from cliffy Staffin island
Bedtime
Try Quiraing or Torridon, double rooms with four-posters and stunning views.
Be savvy
You're in hill walking country, so get booted up!
Be smitten
Just the place for modern-day Floras and their leading men.
Whale and wildlife watching
The owners tend Flodigarry with panache. Flora’s Cottage makes an adorable hideout, while the Quiraing and Torridon rooms enjoy four-posters and outstanding views. Enjoy relaxed silver-service dining with golden-touch cuisine that’s big on seafood, beef and game. Share whispers in the secret lovers’ garden, take scenic walks, go whale or wildlife watching or set sail on a boat trip (and fish for your supper).
Flodigarry Country House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mark MacGee
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Dining in
Tuck into traditional Scottish fare with a contemporary twist: creel caught Staffin Bay prawns in garlic butter, traditional haggis with clapshot cake (slices of potato and turnip in a creamy cheese sauce) and onion gravy, and Flodigarry clootie dumplings (steamed pudding) with Talisker cream.
Dining out
The Three Chimneys restaurant at Dunvegan has a great reputation, even though it’s about 60 miles away. That’s Skye for you.
Where?
The Flodigarry restaurant
What’s cooking?
Seafood chowder, home reared beef and iced Highland cranachan.
Top table?
Table 3a offers fabulous views of the mountains.
See & Do
It’s almost all about the great outdoors here. Take a boat trip to spot seals, otters and even sharks, go whale watching and set off on a hike up the mountains behind the hotel to see the strange Quiraing rock formations. The Talisker Distillery is the only indoor treat you shouldn’t miss.
Shop
Go home smelling as good as you feel after visiting The Isle of Skye Soap Company in Portree.
Play
Nightlife is traditional and lively here. Get your dancing shoes on for a traditional Scottish ceilidh or try some malt whisky tasting.
Dates
May
Skye Music Festival is one of Scotland’s best kept secrets. The 2007 line-up included Kasabian, Primal Scream and Echo and the Bunnymen.
August
Come and see the locals showing off their talents at the Isle of Skye Highland Festival.
Tuck into traditional Scottish fare with a contemporary twist: creel caught Staffin Bay prawns in garlic butter, traditional haggis with clapshot cake (slices of potato and turnip in a creamy cheese sauce) and onion gravy, and Flodigarry clootie dumplings (steamed pudding) with Talisker cream.
Dining out
The Three Chimneys restaurant at Dunvegan has a great reputation, even though it’s about 60 miles away. That’s Skye for you.
Where?
The Flodigarry restaurant
What’s cooking?
Seafood chowder, home reared beef and iced Highland cranachan.
Top table?
Table 3a offers fabulous views of the mountains.
See & Do
It’s almost all about the great outdoors here. Take a boat trip to spot seals, otters and even sharks, go whale watching and set off on a hike up the mountains behind the hotel to see the strange Quiraing rock formations. The Talisker Distillery is the only indoor treat you shouldn’t miss.
Shop
Go home smelling as good as you feel after visiting The Isle of Skye Soap Company in Portree.
Play
Nightlife is traditional and lively here. Get your dancing shoes on for a traditional Scottish ceilidh or try some malt whisky tasting.
Dates
May
Skye Music Festival is one of Scotland’s best kept secrets. The 2007 line-up included Kasabian, Primal Scream and Echo and the Bunnymen.
August
Come and see the locals showing off their talents at the Isle of Skye Highland Festival.
GETTING THERE
Location
Staffin, Isle of Skye IV51 9HZ
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Kyle of Lochalsh station – 50 miles
Taxis
GBP 60-70 to the station
Airport
Inverness – 135 miles
Rooms and suites
18 rooms
Special features
Some rooms have four-poster beds and roll-top baths. All have flat screen TVs and DVD players.
Also…
Flodigarry boasts its own helipad, sea-fishing boat and mountain guide.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 140 - 200
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Cooked breakfast is served until 10am. Definitely worth getting up for are the Loch Fyne kippers and porridge with a Talisker splash.
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
No restrictions
Pets
Dogs are welcome
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English, German, French, Thai and Czech
Wedding license?
Yes – weddings (with a marquee) can cater for up to 200 guests.
Eco conscience
The kitchen uses home-grown vegetables, fruits and herbs. Flodigarry also rears its own beef.
Coming soon
2008 will see a barn converted into a venue for traditional Scottish dancing.
Location
Staffin, Isle of Skye IV51 9HZ
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Kyle of Lochalsh station – 50 miles
Taxis
GBP 60-70 to the station
Airport
Inverness – 135 miles
Rooms and suites
18 rooms
Special features
Some rooms have four-poster beds and roll-top baths. All have flat screen TVs and DVD players.
Also…
Flodigarry boasts its own helipad, sea-fishing boat and mountain guide.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 140 - 200
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Cooked breakfast is served until 10am. Definitely worth getting up for are the Loch Fyne kippers and porridge with a Talisker splash.
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
No restrictions
Pets
Dogs are welcome
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English, German, French, Thai and Czech
Wedding license?
Yes – weddings (with a marquee) can cater for up to 200 guests.
Eco conscience
The kitchen uses home-grown vegetables, fruits and herbs. Flodigarry also rears its own beef.
Coming soon
2008 will see a barn converted into a venue for traditional Scottish dancing.
