|
 
Good for the
Soul Award
Open 1 March - 17 October
Kylesku
is a delightfully peaceful village on the shores of Loch Glendhu and
Glencoul, two sea-lochs in Sutherland, northwest Scotland.
Legendary walking writer Alfred Wainwright
once wrote of Kylesku: "Anyone with an eye for impressive beauty
will not regard time spent at Kylesku as wasted. Twin peaks of
Quinaig dominate an awe-inspiring picture of great contrasts, of
glittering waters cradled in the arms of dark and sinister heights: the
silence is profound and the loneliness almost fearful. I could
spend a day here, just looking. Kylesku is a wonderful place."
The Kylesku Hotel, an old coaching
inn dating from 1680, is situated by the former ferry slipway on the
shores of the loch. With an excellent dining room, friendly family
bar and cosy residents’ lounge, the hotel is the perfect place for a
peaceful and relaxing break and an ideal base for exploring the
area.
Our comfortable 3-star bedrooms are
en-suite, centrally heated and equipped with televisions and tea &
coffee-making facilities.
Both the dining room and bar have
splendid views of the loch and menus specialise in local game and
seafood. Fresh langoustine, spineys, lobster, crab, scallops,
haddock and mussels are available daily and are complemented by a wide
selection of wines and malt whiskies.
The 2009 Good
Hotel Guide has rated us in their top ten seaside hotels in the UK - "'What a beautiful location.'
'Best view from the loo in all Scotland.' 'During meals we were
entertained by seals doing back-flips in the loch.' This white-painted
17th-century former coaching inn stands on the shore where lochs Glendhu
and Glencoul meet in 'breathtaking' north-west Sutherland ('purple
mountains, huge white beaches, incredible rock formations'). The
'hands-on' owners are 'really nice people', says a returning visitor.
'Their staff are genuinely friendly.' There are 'magnificent views' from
the lounge (cosy with wood-burning stove and large library), the dining
room, and the 'simple but comfortable' bedrooms. 'Our room had cream
walls and a pine-clad bathroom.' The bar is busy all day with visitors,
and with locals eating in the early evening; the menus here and in the
restaurant are similar. 'Very good food, especially the seafood', eg,
grilled langoustines with garlic mayonnaise; pan-fried haddock with lemon
butter. 'Breakfast the best we had in Scotland: delicious scrambled egg
and smoked salmon.' 'First-rate fry-up.' 'Well-trained and cheerful young
staff: service was faultless, and really made a difference to our stay.'
Children are welcomed."
Our hotel also recently featured in a
recipe book called Scottish Highland Hospitality by Claire MacDonald
- "Kylesku Hotel combines everything I consider to be essential
for a visitor to the Highlands - comfort, really good food in an old
hotel with all the present-day amenities, and truly spectacular scenery
wherever you look."
As
one of only 26 Scottish entries, we are proud to be included in the 2008
Michelin Guide to Eating out in Pubs - "With its
genuinely unforgettable views of Loch Glencoul and the mountains, the
temptation would be to keep knowledge of Kylesku to yourself. The
heart of the discovery is the old hotel itself, with a very comfortable
lounge and simple bedrooms, but for anyone not staying, the bar's the
place to be. A blackboard menu with a strong seasonal character
concentrates on the local speciality: good, just-landed shellfish in
simply prepared, nicely judged dishes. Tasty and fresh, and as
authentic as you could wish for."
 The Kylesku
Hotel also sits at the centre of a 2000 square km area which recently
became Scotland's first 'Global
Geopark'. There is abundant wildlife and a wide range of
outdoor pursuits. With lochs, mountains, white sandy beaches, bird
watching, seal and otter spotting, fishing, climbing, hill walking, and a
host of other attractions and activities there is something to appeal to
everyone. For details see our 'The Kylesku Area' page.
|
