ISLE OF ERISKA

SET ON ITS VERY OWN PRIVATE ISLAND, Isle of Eriska is a storybook lovers’ hideaway. This dreamy castellated house is tailor-made for romantic getaways. Cross the causeway from the mainland and you enter a world of peace and tranquillity where highland cattle graze, badgers nest, and grey seals frolic in the waters.

Indoors, you’ll be welcomed by friendly staff for whom nothing is too much trouble. The Buchanan-Smith family have spent 30 years perfecting every detail, and Isle of Eriska just keeps getting better. Top-quality fresh produce is sourced locally and prepared with consummate skill by head chef Robert MacPherson. The Veranda restaurant at the Stables spa serves light post-treatment lunches that will leave you feeling virtuously healthy.

Recent additions to this luxury hotel in Scotland include ultra-private cottage and spa suites, and a conservatory restaurant where you can admire the scenery while you dine. There’s a small but perfectly formed six-hole golf course, a spa complete with sauna, pool, steam room and treatment rooms, and woods to wander through. Best of all, this sumptuous island haven is just two hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Hit the spot
A private island on the stunning Argyll coast.

Pillow Talk
Opt for a luxury Spa suite and have an after-dark soak in your private outdoor hot tub.

Be savvy
Bring your wellies for walks on Eriska's beach.

Be smitten
You will be when you're sipping champagne while the sun sets over the Western Isles.

Spa suites and hot tubs

Isle of Eriska’s brand new spa suites boast wickedly private open-air hot tubs (keep it clean, please). Scotch beef here is a must, as are wild mushrooms and salmon fresh from the loch. Veggies and herbs are home-grown and zing with flavour.
   
Explore the island’s 300 acres on foot, pamper yourselves in the luxurious spa, or have a pop at a few clay pigeons. And be sure to watch the sunset over the Western Isles – a true champagne moment. You'll soon understand why savvy sybarites come here year after year.


The Isle of Eriska was reviewed for Room for Romance by Sian Davies

Dining in
Scottish cuisine is Eriska’s speciality. The varied menu includes dishes such as boneless saddle of rabbit with morels, spinach and mustard seed veloute, followed by pan-fried monkfish with slow braised pork belly, spiced lentils and carrot essence. Finish off with a hot chocolate Madeleine accompanied by rhubarb compote and gingerbread ice. 

Breakfast
If you fancy a lie-in that’s fine: you can have a cooked breakfast, porridge or even haggis brought to your room until 12 noon. Alternatively you can breakfast in the dining room until 9.30am.

Room service
Available 24 hours a day

Where?
Isle of Eriska

What’s cooking?
Try seared scallops, crisp duck breast and spiced apple mille-feuille with vanilla and cinnamon anglaise.

Dress the part
Don jackets and high heels for dinner.

Top table?
Dine in the conservatory and you might glimpse the resident badgers at dusk.

See & Do
Explore this wonderful little private idyll on foot, following signed footpaths around the island. Look out for seals from the deserted beach, play a round of golf on the six-hole course, knock up on the tennis court, pick up a mountain bike or shoot some clays. If you're happy to get wet try wind surfing, or take to the waves in style with a sunset  cruise. Catch a ferry in nearby Oban for a daytrip to the beautiful isles of Mull, Staffa and Iona, visit awesome Glencoe or the scenic shores of Loch Awe... the list is endless.

Spa
It's full-on pamper time at Eriska's newly refurbished Spa. Submit to a Priadara Thai massage, a holistic aromatherapy treatment, Hopi ear candles or an Essence of Earth skin brushing, exfoliation and mud wrap. For the guys, a traditional wet shave is just one of the options.

Diary Dates
May
Up to 200 yachts and their crews race along the waters of Loch Fyne in the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series – Scotland's premier yacht racing event.

Summer months
Highland Games take place at a number of venues during the summer – just the place to try tossing the caber.

GETTING THERE

Location
Ledaig, By Oban, Argyll PA37 1SD

Parking
There is free guest parking.

Trains
Mainline trains arrive at Oban (10 miles) from Glasgow and Fort William. Connel Ferry station is even closer – six miles.

Taxis
GBP 120 from Glasgow Airport

Airport
Glasgow Airport – 90 miles

Rooms and suites
16 rooms and seven suites

Special features
Spa suites have private patios complete with hot tubs.

Also…
There’s a fully fledged spa, gym and swimming pool, barber shop, golf course, putting green and driving academy. You’ll also find signposted nature trails and clay pigeon shooting.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
GBP 300 - 440

Open/closed
Closed January

Check-in
1pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
Two nights

Children
No under-fives are allowed in the pool, and five to 10 year-olds are only allowed in between 10am and 5pm.

Pets
Dogs are welcome but are not permitted in public rooms.

Air conditioning
No

Wedding license?
Yes – and weddings are normally based on exclusive hire of the property. Isle of Eriska can cater for 120 guests.