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10 of the Best Hotels on the Inner Hebrides

dun_deagh via Flickr

Just off the west coast of Scotland, the Inner Hebrides are an archipelago of stunning scenery. The coastlines are varied, from extremely dramatic cliffs and rock pillars, to quiet sandy coves, the interiors are heathery, sprinkled with castles, distilleries and crofts and often rocky and shrouded in mist. There are 35 inhabited islands forming the group - though some aren’t very inhabited, and 44 uninhabited islands, so some of our Guru’s recommendations for the best hotels on the Inner Hebrides are wonderfully remote places to escape to.

dun_deagh via Flickr

If you’re not here to escape, but to experience the wonderfully unique - and famously friendly - island culture then you’ll find your idea of the best hotels on the Inner Hebrides on one of the larger islands, like the Isle of Skye, Mull or Islay. These are the only islands where the population tops 700, and most islands have fewer than 200 inhabitants.

The Inner Hebrides are wonderful places for windswept walks, puffin watching and admiring the scenery. Often seen through the window of a cosy pub you’ve had to take shelter in after the famously changeable weather has turned from fine to windy and rainy. But it will change back just as quickly.

dun_deagh via Flickr

Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides and is described by some as being like the end of the world. Or certainly the edge of it. Mist shrouded hills even out into lush moors, then rise up again into the jagged Cuillins mountains before tumbling steeply into the sea. But if you stay in Portree, the island's capital, you'll be in Scotland's third most popular place to visit, close to the castles, museums and cosy pubs.

Mull has the craggy basalt mountains, cliffs and sandy beaches and is home to an astounding variety of seabirds. Islay has eight distilleries and whisky has really shaped the life on this island.

Aside from Skye, which is made easily reachable by the Skye Bridge, the Inner Hebrides are easiest to get to without the hassle of trying to bring your car. But most of the islands are small enough so that you really don’t need a car and can easily get around on foot - in fact that’s part of the charm. And the islands which are larger have fairly good public transport options for visitors, but you might find the timetables quite limited. But this is all part of island life, and it's easy to get around if you ask the locals.

wplynn via Flickr

If you happen to sail then this is a great place to bring your yacht. There are plenty of sheltered bays and inlets, and while the weather can be dramatic and changeable, the rewards of unrivalled views of these wonderful coastlines is worth the inconvenience of having to be plugged into the weather reports.

Use our guide to the best hotels on the Inner Hebrides and start to plan your island hopping tour of Scotland's stunning West coast.

For Country House Comforts

Kinloch Lodge

  • Kinloch Lodge is located on the South coast of the Isle of Skye, and is an old hunting lodge turned country hotel. Home comforts like open fires, traditional, elegant rooms with plenty of natural light and cosy public spaces are accompanied by Michelin starred cuisine. It's a real home from home just with much better cooking!

The Most Romantic Hotels on the Inner Hebrides

Duisdale House

  • Duisdale House, on the stunning south east coast of the Isle of Skye, is a 19th Century hunting lodge turned 18 room country house hotel. The house has extensive gardens outside and cosy, modern rooms with four poster beds inside.
  • Glengorm Castle is a short distance from Tobermory, the Isle of Mull's capital, and has five charming individually-decorated rooms complete with en suite bathrooms. Public rooms are filled with antiques and all have roaring fires. Families are very welcome. A stunning home/ castle from home/ castle.

The Best Hotels on the Inner Hebrides to Relax

Highland Cottage

  • Highland Cottage in Tobermory, Mull, is a six room, Edwardian style cottage - the owners don’t call themselves a hotel. The decor is charming, with lovely attention to detail, and there’s a cosy living room and dining room serving locally sourced cuisine.
  • Killoran House is an excellent B&B in the northern area of Mull, a rural location with great views. Featuring comfortable rooms, pretty furnishings and a restaurant with wonderful food. It's a great base from which to explore the surrounding area.
  • Also a B&B, Pennygate Lodge is a tranquil, six room property in the village of Craignure. The rooms are elegant and comfortable with deluxe ensuite bathrooms. Start your day with an excellent breakfast before heading off to explore the charms of Mull.

The Best Value Hotels on the Inner Hebrides

Greshornish House

  • Greshornish House sits on its own peninsula, amongst ten acres of private land, the perfect traditionally cosy match for the island. After a day out exploring, this is one of the best places to stay on Skye, what with its log fires, squashy sofas, luxurious bedrooms and tasty food.
  • Overlooking Tobermory harbour, The Tobermory Hotel has been running since 1869. With a distinctive pink facade the hotel offers excellent rooms, an atmospheric bar and delicious local cuisine in the restaurant. A great base from which to explore the charms of Mull. Rooms start from around £90 per night.
  • Toravaig House is a peaceful, contemporary hotel overlooking the Atlantic on Skye's west coast. Perfect for windy coastal walks and loch fishing, there are just nine rooms, but there’s also an award winning restaurant specialising in seafood, plus public spaces with log fires and a selection of whisky. Rooms start from around £100 per night.

The Best Hotels on the Inner Hebrides for Families

The Colonsay

  • Remote, unpretentious and charming, The Colonsay is a nine bedroom hotel on the beautiful island of Colonsay. Laid back and great for families there’s plenty of ‘old house’ charm, roaring log fires and a great restaurant and bar. This is also a great spot for walkers.

If you haven't found your idea of the perfect hotel on the Inner Hebrides on our Guru's list of 10 of the Best Hotels on the Inner Hebrides you could:

10 of the Best Hotels on the Inner Hebrides

  • Kinloch Lodge, Skye Isle of Skye 15 rooms from €323

    Foodies  -  Foodies won't be able to resist the stunning award winning restaurant — check out the taster menu with excellent wine pairings.
    Romantic Break  -  A picturesque south Skype romantic retreat offering excellent food, roaring fires, chic suites and long country walks.
    Great walks  -  Venture on a Wild Walk with resident naturalist Mitchell Partridge, packed lunches are provided on request.
    Fishing  -  The area won't dissapoint, keen anglers can fish for salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout.
    RestaurantGardenPet friendlyDisabled accessViewsParking

    Stunning scenery, dazzling food and plenty of peace and quiet just a short drive from the Skye Bridge. The elegant and traditional rooms are filled with natural light. A cosy sitting room with an open fireplace is the ideal spot to unwind with a whisky, and the restaurant serves exceptional food. See More

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  • Highland Cottage Tobermory, Mull 6 rooms from €156

    Great walks  -  With one roundabout and not a single traffic light you could say the island of Mull is almost made for walkers!
    Birdwatching  -  Puffins, egrets and much more can be spotted on the nearby coastline.
    Sailing  -  Take a boat to nearby Iona or Staffa for the day.
    Restaurant  -  Informal dining for resident's only.
    RestaurantDisabled accessParking
    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide

    This 'cottage' (owners David and Jo do not call themselves a hotel) is located in the centre of Tobermory. Rooms are Edwardian in style with billowing, satin fabrics, ornate lamps and many with four poster beds. There's a cosy living room and dining room serving delicious locally sourced cuisine. See More

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  • Killoran House Mull 5 rooms from €144

    Local exploring  -  A great base for exploring the Northern reaches of Mull.
    Great walks  -  The surrounding area is full of great walking routes.
    Fishing  -  Go trout fishing on nearby Loch Frisa.
    Restaurant  -  Recommended.
    RestaurantGardenParking

    Killoran House is an excellent B&B in the northern area of Mull, a rural location with great views. Featuring comfortable rooms, pretty furnishings and a restaurant with wonderful food. It's a great base from which to explore the surrounding area. See More

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  • Greshornish House Isle of Skye 8 rooms from €115

    Remote  -  Off the beaten track.
    Secluded setting  -  For escaping.
    Views  -  Great views from hotel
    Tennis
    TennisRestaurantGardenPet friendlyViews
    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

    Remote but luxurious B&B on its own private peninsula on the Isle of Skye. 10 acres of land provide stunning views. Log fires and rustic charm. Luxurious rooms and tasty food. See More

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  • Pennygate Lodge Mull 6 rooms from €179

    Great walks  -  The area surrounding Craignure is full of lovely walking routes.
    Fishing  -  The hotel can organise sea fishing trips for guests.
    Restaurant  -  Classic Scottish cuisine with a modern twist
    Sights nearby  -  Take a trip to nearby Dunstaffnage Castle.
    RestaurantGarden

    Tranquility prevails at the Pennygate Lodge, a charming hotel in the village of Craignure. The rooms are elegant and comfortable with deluxe ensuite bathrooms. The excellent restaurant serves classic Scottish dishes with a twist. A chic little country hideaway. See More

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  • Glengorm Castle Mull 6 rooms from €156

    Great walks  -  Head off on wonderful long hikes around Mull to truly revel in the island's natural beauty
    Fishing  -  If you fancy a relaxing afternoon then head off for a spot of fishing
    House party feel  -  Be prepared to meet people.
    Full of character
    GardenPet friendlyViewsParking
    Recommended by  -  Sawdays

    Glengorm Castle is located a short distance from Tobermory, the Isle of Mull's capital. It offers five charming individually-decorated rooms complete with en suite bathrooms. Public rooms are filled with antiques and all have roaring fires. Families are very welcome. A stunning home from home. See More

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  • The Tobermory Hotel Tobermory, Mull 11 rooms from €99

    Fishing  -  Fishing trips - both sea and loch - can be arranged by the hotel.
    Great walks  -  Go out to Calgary for a lovely walk along the beach.
    Sea Views  -  From some rooms.
    Full of character
    RestaurantPet friendlyViewsParking

    Overlooking Tobermory harbour, The Tobermory Hotel has been running since 1869. With a distinctive pink facade the hotel offers excellent rooms, an atmospheric bar and delicious local cuisine in the restaurant. A great base from which to explore the charms of Mull. See More

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  • Toravaig House Isle of Skye 9 rooms from €121

    Fishing  -  The Hotel is perfecly located to indulge in salmon and trout river fishing as well as trout and arctic char in nearby Lochs
    Great walks  -  Wild coastal scenery, deep fjords and secluded windswept bays and a wealth of history make for excellent walks
    Sailing  -  The owners offer a day excursion around Skye on their luxury yacht Solus
    Views  -  Great views from hotel
    RestaurantGardenViews

    A peaceful contemporary hotel set overlooking the Atlantic waters. Log fires and a choice selection of whiskies can be enjoyed after a day pursuing one of the many outdoor activities on offer. A restaurant serving freshly caught seafood perfectly rounds off this award winning gem of a hotel. See More

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  • Duisdale House Sleat, Skye 18 rooms from €194

    Traditional  -  A nineteenth century hunting lodge that has been converted into a hotel
    Great walks  -  Skye is renowned for its fantastic walking for all abilities.
    Restaurant  -  The fine dining restaurant boasts two AA Rosettes
    Views  -  Great views from hotel
    RestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViewsParkingNo pets

    Escape to this rural nineteenth century hunting lodge on Skye's stunning south-east coastline. Explore the extensive gardens and local beauty, before retreating back to cosy four poster beds in surprisingly modern interiors. Look out for statement wallpaper. Great for a romantic weekend away! See More

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  • The Colonsay Isle of Colonsay, Argyll 9 rooms from €150

    Remote  -  Off the beaten track.
    Views  -  Great views from hotel
    Traditional
    Great walks  -  Good for walkers.
    RestaurantGardenPet friendlyViews
    Recommended by  -  I Escape, Good Hotel Guide

    Unpretentious nine bedroomed hotel on the beautiful island of Colonsay. Great for families and those seeking a break in a laid back Hebridean hideaway. Old house charm, roaring log fires, restaurant and bar. See More

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Written by Kat Parr Mackintosh

posted Friday, 7th July 2023