The Classic Car Club goes to Skye

For our next club weekend we will be heading over the sea to Skye. This is a return to an island the club last visited in the October 2005, when we enjoyed wonderful autumn sunshine, wide open roads and plenty of traditional island hospitality.

We will once again be staying in one of McKinlay Kidd’s favourite and very Scottish hotels – Eilean Iarmain.

Sheltered by a gently curving bay, this charming whitewashed hotel sits right on the seashore, enjoying expansive views over the Sound of Sleat to the wilderness of Knoydart. This is a Gaelic-speaking community and the bar is a convivial meeting place for the locals, who mix happily with hotel guests, often to the accompaniment of traditional music and Gaelic song in front of the roaring log fire. Twelve bedrooms (six in the Garden House) are decorated with pretty cotton and linen chintzes and there are also suites in the recently restored stables, each enjoying superb views across the water to the lighthouse of Isle Ornsay.

Candlelit meals in the wood-panelled dining room reflect the estate’s culinary riches, with wonderful shellfish and game featuring prominently on the menu. Langoustines are landed at the old stone pier, and oysters come from the hotel's own oyster beds.

Outline itinerary (provisional and subject to change)

Friday

As usual we will plan a lunchtime meeting location, probably in the area north of Fort William. We then will cross to Skye by the community-owned ferry from Glenelg- takes just 6 cars at a time so we will arrange a rota! Then it’s just a short drive further to the hotel.

Dinner tonight will be in the bar, where there will be traditional music and plenty of local ales!

Saturday
After breakfast the day is your own to explore the island – and we will give you plenty of recommendations for lunch options.

At the end of the afternoon we will gather again at the hotel for a tasting of Gaelic Whiskies’ products. This will be followed by dinner, this time in the hotel restaurant.
Afterwards relax in front of the fire in the lounge or head back to the bar, where there will be more live music – this time more contemporary!

Sunday

After breakfast depart for home, with a choice of routes, over the bridge, by ferry from Mallaig or back over by Glenelg.

Price: £210 per person.

This is based on two sharing a superior twin or double room ensuite.

Single occupancy of a double room available for a £40 supplement.
Some suites also available – price on request. These can work well for families.

Price includes two nights’ accommodation including dinner both nights, the ferry from Glenelg to Skye, a full route plan, the whisky tasting, live music in the bar and Robert’s Recommendations on what to see and do in the local area.

How to Book:
Call Robert Kidd on 0141 202 0638 or email robert@mckinlaykidd.co.uk to reserve your place.
Contact Matt to reserve your car.