West Pier Restaurant is in Skeabost House Hotel on the Isle of Skye. The building was originally built in 1871 as a hunting lodge and there has been a settlement of some sorts on the site since the Vikings.
The River Snizort runs through the hotel’s large private grounds before giving way to its loch, meaning guests can enjoy salmon and trout fishing. Walk even further along the river and you’ll come across the ruins of two chapels. These are dedicated to St Columba, the first Christina missionary to Scotland.
The restaurant overlooks the loch and is open to non-residents. In the evening, guests can watch the sun set as they dine. The menu foregrounds local ingredients. Starters include steamed Loch Eishort mussels, Hebridean white crab with a dill creme fraiche and Misty Isle Gin and thyme cured fillet of salmon. Non-Scottish options are spiced couscous and a Cajun spiced chicken Caesar salad.
For mains, you can choose from the likes of a Skye Estate venison casserole, lightly curried fillet of monkfish and seared fillet of seabass. There’s also a 32 day aged prime Scotch rib-eye steak served with hand cut chips. Vegetarian options are a chicken-less Caesar salad and a tuna-less salad nicoise. Dessert highlights are a fine pear and apple tart and the Scottish cheese board.
The former billiard room is available to hire for private dining and seats up to 20 guests. Those after something more intimate can book the Tower Room. This seats two people and offers extended views over the loch and beyond. The hotel also takes bookings for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Skeabost House is part of the Sonas Hotel Collection. This is a group of three boutique hotels on the Isle of Skye that are all independently run.