Ardhasaig House

Ardhasaig, Isle of Harris HS3 3AJ

Tel: 01859 50 2066/2500 Fax: 01859 50 2077

e-mail: accommodation@ardhasaig.co.uk
website: www.ardhasaig.co.uk

Ardhasaig House was originally built in 1905, and for 100 years has been a home of the Macaskill family. Since the year 2002, it is one of the best small hotels on the beautiful island of Harris. It has six fully en suite rooms that are spacious, well furnished and beautifully decorated so that you, the guest, can experience the very best in Scottish hospitality. Each room has tea/coffee making facilities and a host of features that make a stay here one to remember for all the right reasons.

In the year 2005 it was named as runner up in two prestigious award categories, "Scottish Hotel Breakfast of the Year" and "Island Hotel of the Year", and the owner, Katie Macaskill and her team are determined to use this as a base to improve even further the standards of service offered to guests.

The atmosphere is informal and friendly, as befits a hotel of this quality. There are no TVs, and for your comfort it is a fully non smoking establishment. A new bedroom has just been added in a converted barn a short walking distance from the hotel, and this is ideal for honeymooners or those just wishing to get away from it all.

Food is important in the Ardhasaig Hotel. Katie is also the chef, and she insists on only the finest and freshest of local produce in her kitchen wherever possible. As you would imagine, seafood is a speciality, though home-reared beef and local lamb feature on the menu as well. Why not start with the cream of leek soup with seeded rolls, then sample the pan-seared Strond scallops with caviar cream? Or the rack of local lamb with herb crust, fig and redcurrant gravy with an accompaniment of vegetables? For dessert you could have apricot bread and butter pudding followed by a choice of teas or fresh coffee with sweet treats. However, all dietary needs are catered for. In the morning you can enjoy a full Scottish breakfast, which is hearty and filling, or you can choose a lighter option. Just right to set you up for a day sightseeing on the lovely island of Harris.

The hotel sits three miles from the ferry port of Tarbert, and has wonderful views out over the Harris hills and the Atlantic Ocean. It is centrally positioned and makes an ideal base from which to explore the whole of the island of Lewis/Harris and even take a day trip to Uist or Kilda. There is history and heritage aplenty here, plus there is so much to do. It is a walker's paradise, and there is climbing, sailing, golf, fishing, mountain biking and a host of other activities.