Email Clan Donald Skye Lodges enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around
Armadale
Welcome
to Clan Donald Skye
Clan Donald Skye is a 20,000-acre highland estate on the Sleat peninsula
in south Skye. Once part of the traditional lands of Clan Donald, the
Estate was purchased by the Clan Donald Lands Trust in 1971. The Trust
was established to promote an understanding of the history and traditions
of Clan Donald and the Lordship of the Isles.
The Estate’s principal focal points are the restored historic gardens, and the beautiful walking trails threading through the 40 acres of woodland around Armadale Castle. Part of the Castle has been restored and the striking ruined remains sensitively re-designed, to create an attractive landscape within the gardens.
The fully accredited Museum of the Isles, opened within the gardens in 2002, incorporates the Library and Study Centre. The Trust has also built holiday accommodation and established a lively and vibrant Visitor Centre that appeals to all age groups. Disabled facilities are available at the Centre.
Clan Donald Lodges Accommodation
Set above 40 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland walks, our six warm and comfortable lodges offer glorious views across the Sound of Sleat to the hills of Knoydart on the mainland. Escape to the beauty and tranquility of the Isle of Skye, with the Estate at Clan Donald Skye providing a wonderful backdrop for your holiday. The lodges are equipped to the highest standard to ensure that your stay in Skye is a true home-from-home.
The accommodation consists of an open-plan living room and dining kitchen,
bathroom, double bedroom, twin-bedded room and a single/double bunkroom
ideal for children. A cot and high chair can be provided if required.
One cottage is ramped and is suitable, with assistance, for people with
wheelchairs.
The cottages come fully equipped with cooker, microwave, oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer, telephone, Sky television, video and CD player. Linen, towels and electricity are included in the price.
During your stay, the freedom of the Visitor Centre, including the Museum
and Gardens, is yours.
Our lodges are available for rent throughout the year
Forester’s cottage 4*
Nestling in the trees close to Armadale Castle Gardens, the Forester's
Cottage combines tradition with modern convenience to provide a beautiful,
comfortable and intimate holiday home-from-home for up to four people.
The cottage has a living room, dining kitchen, bathroom, one double bedroom
and one twin bedroom.
The Forester's Cottage comes fully equipped with a recently refurbished kitchen and bathroom. Facilities include cooker, microwave, oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer, telephone, Sky television, video and CD player. Linen, towels and electricity are included in the price. During your stay the freedom of the Visitor Centre, including the Museum and Gardens, is yours.
New for 2011, the Forester's cottage is now equipped with free wi-fi.
Flora MacDonald Suite
The Flora MacDonald suite, named after the famous Jacobite heroine, offers
the kind of elegant luxury that will turn any occasion into an unforgettable
experience. Occupying the first floor of the magnificently refurbished
Stables building, the Suite comprises one double bedroom and one twin
bedroom, bathroom, separate washroom and toilet, kitchen and an expansive
living room that opens onto a private balcony.
The Flora MacDonald Suite comes fully equipped with cooker, microwave,
oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer, telephone, Sky television,
video and CD player. Linen, towels and electricity are all included in
the price. During your stay the freedom of the Visitor Centre, including
the Museum and Gardens, is yours.
New for 2011. The Suite is now equipped with free wi-fi.
Accommodation prices include all electricity, linen and towels and affords our guest the freedom of the Visitor Centre's beautiful gardens, trails, Museum of the Isles, plus the centre's own Cafe and three gift shops.
Additional Facilities
Disabled access:
Parking at our Visitor Centre is free, for both cars and coaches. Disabled
toilets are located in the Stables building and at the Museum.
Wheelchairs, including electric wheelchairs, are available to borrow.
All our indoor visitor facilities in the Stables building and at the Museum
are on one level. Certain routes in the Gardens are designated as wheelchair
friendly – ask at the Ticket Office for more information.
An audio-guide describing the museum for visually impaired visitors is
available in our Museum.
Portable induction loops are available at all our main service points
Our staff are friendly, helpful and always willing to assist.
Smoking Policy
There is no smoking allowed in any of the accommodation.
Pet Policy
1. A well behaved dog is welcomed in the accommodation (except Clanranald
which is a pet free).
1. There is a charge/per dog and we ask that you bring your own dog bedding.
2. Owners must keep their pets under strict control both within the accommodation
and whilst being exercised.
3. Please ensure that on your departure you do not leave any trace of
animal hair or other related mess.
4. Animals are not permitted on the furniture, in the bedrooms or allowed
upstairs where applicable. Do not leave the dog unattended in the house
at any time (in case they disturb other guests or cause damage to the
property).
Dinning
Are you looking for fresh home baking, local produce, a great atmosphere
and friendly service? We offer all of these in our Stables Restaurant,
housed within the restored stables building. Our restaurant is perfect
for that coffee and cake to re-fuel you after your stroll around our gardens,
or for a hearty lunch if you are planning to follow one of our woodland
walks or estate trails.
In July and August the restaurant is open until 8.30pm for delicious
evening meals. The Stables is also available for hire as a special venue.
New Winter Opening Hours
Thursday 5pm to 8.30pm
Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 8.30pm
Sunday 12 noon to 3pm
A unique Skye wedding
Clan Donald Skye offers a truly exceptional backdrop for your wedding
day on the romantic Isle of Skye. Set in our beautifully landscaped gardens
against the picturesque ruins of Armadale Castle, next to the sea and
mountains, few venues could rival such a magnificent location.
The solemnisation of civil and religious ceremonies can take place in the Sculptured Ruin, a beautiful gothic arch forming part of the Castle’s original stairwell and perfect for use in an outdoor ceremony. Along with the rest of the Gardens, this location forms an outstanding backdrop for your photographs.
Our Stables Restaurant in the restored stables building, entered through the Baronial Hallway, caters for seventy guests for a formal wedding banquet and a further forty evening guests.
During the summer months when our Centre is busy during normal opening hours, a buffet reception can be held in the elegant Somerled Rooms in the original building at Armadale Castle, dating from around 1790, while the evening function can be held in the Stables.
We can also offer quality self-catering accommodation for you and your
wedding guests.
Our wedding coordinator, Mags Macdonald, will take you through every stage
of the arrangements to ensure that your whole day runs smoothly.
Catering
Using the outstanding local produce of the island and surrounding mainland,
Clan Donald Skye can produce sumptuous food for wedding parties of different
sizes. You and your guests can feast on the finest-quality langoustines
(prawns) and shellfish from the clean seawaters off the Estate's coast.
The Estate’s venison and game is among the finest in Scotland and
we source our ingredients, where possible, from local producers.
The Isle of Skye is recognised worldwide for the outstanding quality of its food produce, and we will be delighted to share their tastes and flavours with you.
Activities and Attractions
Stalking and shooting on the Estate offer unforgettable experiences in
a stunning landscape. While out on our hills, you will have the chance
to spot golden and sea eagles among many iconic animals. The ancient woodlands
are host to a number of important plant species while the views across
the peninsula eastwards to Knoydart on the mainland or northwest to the
spectacular Cuillin ridge are incomparable.
Our friendly and professional team will ensure your day runs smoothly and that you can enjoy your chosen field sport activity in the splendid surroundings of south Skye. The Estate offers tailor-made packages for those wishing to stalk or shoot.
Deer stalking
Deer stalking is the term used in Scotland for hunting and shooting deer.
It is an important element of modern land management as it helps protect
many native plants and species while maintaining a healthy population
of red deer. Deer stalking is also a very real link to the traditional
culture of the Scottish Highlands. Stalking opportunities are available
on the Estate between August and October.
Rough shooting (walked up)
This popular and challenging form of shooting is one of the most interesting
available. You can expect to shoot woodcock or snipe on the Estate, and
we offer packages from November to January.
Photo-Stalking
If hunting isn’t for you but you would like to capture the thrill
of a stalk whilst enjoying the majestic surroundings of the Estate, we
can offer special photo-stalking days where you will accompany our Estate
Manager as he stalks. A reasonable level of fitness would be expected
as it can be a challenging experience.
Woodland walks
The Trust has created a series of nature trails at Armadale, a number
of which are accessible to less able-bodied visitors, leading beyond the
elegant gardens into areas of beautiful mixed woodlands. In spring, these
woodlands are carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic, and the air is
filled with their heady scent.
The trails pass through areas of pasture, with views of Armadale
Castle nestling amongst the trees, and lead onto open hill to
the panoramic viewpoint at the top of Cnoc Armadail. This spot lays the
magnificent Sleat peninsula before you, framed on one side by the spectacular
Cuillin ridge and on the other by the mainland hills of Knoydart.
This is the territory of red deer and golden eagles with the opportunity
of a rare glimpse of the sea eagle.
It is home to iconic wildlife species including red deer, golden eagles and sea eagles.It is home to iconic wildlife species including red deer, golden eagles and sea eagles.
Museum of the Isles - Taigh Tasgaidh Chlann Domhnaill
Discover the history of the Highlands and Islands through the story of
Clan Donald, its most powerful clan, at our award-winning museum.
Six interconnecting galleries, each with their own theme, take you through
1500 years of the history and culture of the area once known as the Kingdom
of the Isles. The MacDonalds - or Clan Donald - were the Lords of the
Isles and sit at the heart of the history of Gaeldom and our museum follows
their story and that of the Highlands.
A seventh gallery hosts an exhibition that changes each year.
Audio guides in several languages and for the visually impaired are available. Young visitors can enjoy exploring the museum with our children’s trails.
There is a lot to see, so allow yourself enough time. Most of our visitors spend between 45 minutes and 1 hour in the museum.
You will need more time if you are researching your ancestors and planning to use the genealogical resources in the library, which is housed in the Museum.
Historical Gardens
Armadale Castle Gardens is very much a story of the care and attention
given by the gardens' staff to restore them to glory and continue development
and planting, creating a haven of scent and colour. The result is 40 acres
of fascinating gardens and woodland area for all the family to enjoy.
Magnificent trees, some almost 200 years old, tower above stunning carpets of bluebells, orchids and wildflowers in spring and summer. Sheltered below the giants are the young firs which will eventually replace them, as well as the growing collections of elegant birch and beech trees. Plants from around the world thrive in this sheltered corner.
More recently developed areas such as the ponds, herbaceous borders and terrace walks provide a tranquil place to sit or stroll, with walks through dappled shade and delicate woodland planting linking these sunny havens.
DIRECTIONS
Clan Donald Skye's Visitor Centre is located in Armadale, 16 miles south
of Broadford on the A851. It is easily reached from the mainland by taking
the Skye Bridge, at Kyle of Lochalsh, or by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale
(a 25-minute crossing). The Centre is just a short walk from the ferry
terminal at Armadale.
You can travel by train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, or from
Glasgow via Fort William to Mallaig.
Local bus services connect with most trains and ferry services.
Email Clan Donald Skye Lodges enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
