Duisdale House Hotel

From the Hideaway Report

July 2011 Hideaway Report

A short drive south from Kinloch Lodge brought us to a Victorian stone mansion perched on a hill with a commanding view of the Sound of Sleat. Duisdale House is the most recent venture of Anne Gracie and Kenneth Gunn (captain of the Hebridean Princess for many years), who were recently named 2011 Scottish Hoteliers of the Year.

In transforming this handsome structure into an 18-room country hotel, they retained much of the interior of the original building — most notably the fine woodwork and detailing—and invigorated it with modern wallpapers and fabrics. The comfortable drawing room has a marble fireplace and leads out to the large conservatory where breakfast is served.

Our Four Poster Room came with sea-facing windows, contemporary flower-print wallpaper, a large armoire and a sitting area with a table right by the window that could double as a desk. The bath was done in attractive taupe tiles but offered only a combined tub/shower and a single sink.

In the elegant and dramatic dining room, we enjoyed excellent contemporary Scottish cuisine. Among my favorite dishes was a starter of John Dory served with a tangy side of passion fruit. The standout main course was a roast loin of pork with the ideal accompaniments of Savoy cabbage and caramelized apples with Madeira, served with a grain mustard sauce.

Balancing the aesthetics of a fine old building with contemporary décor is a delicate task, but Anne Gracie has succeeded admirably. If your preferences are generally more traditional, however, then you are likely to prefer Kinloch Lodge.

Amenities