Meet Your Hosts
Meet Douglas & Claire Mackenzie
Owners of Ardconon aka: Skye Lodge since 2009. The house was built for the Mackenzie Family a decade or two ago now when Douglas was still a child. Dunvegan Primary and thereafter Portree High School.
In 2018 a full renovation programme took place creating Skye Lodge as we know it today.
Location, Location, Location. We love Dunvegan and the surrounding areas and truly enjoying hosting sharing our home and knowledge.
Douglas, born & breed Isle of Skye and now retired from Metropolitan Police Service returning permanently to Scottish Highlands and Islands in 2010. As a lad he took jobs at Dunvegan Castle in their gardens and proudly reminds all he built the fence line alone the route to Portree which is still standing!! Local knowledge is always the best to tap into. Just ask Douglas….
Claire returned to work full time creating and managing guests accommodation businesses in Grantown on Spey, Cairngorms in addition to Dunvegan, Skye. Thereafter establishing a catering business: Speyside Kitchen in Speyside and the Cairngorm National Park. Claire is truly focused on the long term sustainability for all businesses by making sure our local produce is prioritised; reducing food mileage and factoring in zero waste.
Life in the Scottish Highlands is a vocational one for both Doug & Claire. Community at the heart of all.
Claire grew up on a working hill farm understanding the need for compromise and importance of diversification. Both Douglas & Claire grew up in households with an open door so being hospitable is definitely in the genes as hosting, meeting, greeting at a moments notice does not stress either at all.
Skye Lodge as the business is known today opened in June 2019 with the support of a wonderful couple Shireen & Stuart working very hard indeed allowing us to host our first guest. This guest was actual scottish comedian Susan Calman who was filming her show ‘Secret Scotland’ so Skye Lodge was booked exclusively. See a wee bit of Episode 4 as Susan takes to the water and there is a good overview of Loch Dunvegan towards Skye Lodge.
2020 in to 2021 we all had to endure the lockdown. Friends and family were lost to us and so many more never to be forgotten. The reopening sumer of 2021 amidst a few on going closures due to covid spikes was challenging indeed. We took each day and week at a time and decided to close the Lodge in October 2021 until the Spring of 2022.
April 2022, we reopened Skye Lodge quietly in recovery like so many Guest Houses, Bed & Breakfast establishments worldwide.
Our guests speak for us:
‘‘This is our favorite B&B and we’ve driven all over Scotland! Its gorgeous views and the owners are so wonderful to talk to. Love you guys. Take care & be safe! June 2023’’
‘‘What a gentle and great form of hospitality we found here. thanks Douglas & Darren. Ani & Diana July 23’’
‘‘Great spot! Gracious Hosts, calming room. Ron & Becky. August 23’’
‘‘Wonderful location, room and hospitality. Could not fault anything. Would Definitely recommend. Tony & Deborah. Sept 2022’’
‘‘We had a wonderful time. You have a beautiful spot in the world. Amazing views, relaxing atmosphere & great hospitality. Rob & Karen August 22’’
‘‘Best place we’ve stayed at in all of scotland, Was beyond perfect, clean, and just beautiful :-) Thank you for everything!!! Sleeth & Phillips Families. July 22’’
Highly recommend you view our blog posts for local information. Our blog posts available for all on our website regarding the local community of Dunvegan Isle of Skye are updated so please check them day of booking and check all information regularly prior to your arrival. Information on Dining out, our local shops and takeaways are lists. Local walks are listed and the open of Dunvegan Castle which is key. Our coastline waters offer many styles of excursions to suit.
Whether you wish to be thrilled by the wildlife and bird-watching opportunities around Skye it is important to actual stop and take in the view and just be. Would you like to swim, scramble and jump? Action packed days are possible too from Dunvegan please just ask. Both Douglas and Claire will be able to assist with locations and routes. Always happy to share what we both know as we are rediscovering annually, monthly and daily with our guests each year.
Skye has a fantastic amount of local specialties and seasonal produce, so you can expect a wonderful variety on offer in the breakfast menu, which will change according to the seasons and what amazing new treats we have discovered. Passionate about both cooking and hospitality, you’ll find homemade baked shortbread and other treats, on offer all day alongside tea and freshly ground coffee at Skye Lodge.
We absolutely love the stories around Skye, the local history and folklore.
Perhaps you could search for the tales of Otta Swire in the epic book Skye: The Island and Its Legends.
Their top recommendations for Skye
Doug & Claire tend to love anywhere away from the madding crowds! So their top tips for a quieter time on Skye are to head out to Waternish, where you can stop for a quiet pint at the Stein Inn before heading out to the beautiful ruin of Trumpan Church. Claire especially recommends going out very early and early evening into the night when all roads are quiet and days are long or the forecast is clear to glimpse the beauty of a dark sky reserve. They heartily recommend experiencing the sunsets and sunrise when everyone else is either dining or sleeping. Picnics can be arranged. If crowds to right we go left.
Claire has compiled a few blog posts to assist all when visiting Dunvegan and the surrounding area. Please take a gander : https://www.skyelodge.co.uk/blog
Best tips always given in person when staying at Skye Lodge. When you stay in a room at Skye Lodge, Doug & Claire will be looking after you throughout your stay. With first hand knowledge of Skye since childhood Douglas will share his knowledge, loves and likes one of which is our Whisky. Claire has worked in travel, hospitality and tourism so understands the importance of hosting and providing a first class accommodation.
