Perched on the northern coast of the Isle of Skye sits the historic yet modern Monkstadt 1745 set in the village of Linicro. The area features many of the island’s most iconic sights, including The Old Man of Storr, Brother’s Point, and the beautiful Quiraing.
Monkstadt 1745 consists of a luxury lodge with five ornate suites, in addition to six self-catering cottages. My first four days were spent at Betty’s Lookout, a modern one bedroom cottage with a breathtaking view of the coastline and the far off outer Hebrides Islands.
Each morning, I looked out the window and saw many baby lambs and sheep roaming about – a sweet sight to savor.
Betty’s Lookout features all the appliances one would need for an extended stay on Skye – including a hot tub! Each evening, I looked forward to unwinding in the jacuzzi and looking out to the sea and starry sky.
The last few days at Monkstadt 1745 saw me at the luxury lodge that exudes a modern yet timeless aura. The rooms are tastefully decorated and feature extensive details, all the way down to the light switches.
Chef Michal at the lodge is a true talent and I looked forward to indulging in his cuisine each morning and evening. Menus change regularly, but you will never find yourself lacking in flavorful and locally inspired options.
May I suggest making room for dessert? I found the cheesecake to be simply divine! It has a thick, buttery crust and garnishes of raspberry sorbet, berries, and butterscotch added a unique touch.
From Monkstadt 1745, you are well situated for exploring this incredible Isle whether on foot or by car. You’ll be able to drive to all the top hiking spots in under 20 minutes and find yourself at some great distilleries, such as Talisker, a highly awarded family of Single Malt Whiskies that have a peated, smoky flavor. It has been made by the sea since 1830 and is one of the most remote and northerly distilleries in the world.
We stopped by the distillery for a Flavours of Talisker experience and tour. I enjoyed sampling whiskies ranging from 1996 to 2011 and learning about the process of making whiskey, from start to finish. Some interesting facts I learned include:
- By law, Scotch whisky can only be made in Scotland and its production is governed by strict regulations
- Scotch is made with malted barley while Bourbon uses corn. Scotch comes from Scotland (hence the name) while Bourbon typically comes from the USA
- The difference between Scottish and Irish whiskey is that Scottish whiskey is distilled twice, while Ireland distills three times
After a week at Monkstadt 1745, I found myself sad to be leaving. Not only were the accommodations wonderful and the location perfect, but the staff were friendly and kind. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the people who run Monkstadt – in particular: Jamie, Ela and Michal. I want to extend my warmest thanks to all of them for having made our time on the Isle of Skye one of the most memorable weeks of my life. Until next time!
The view from your room is picture perfect. Such a luxurious lodge! Thank you for sharing your incredible experience. Look forward to visiting some time in the future.