Imagine a place at the edge of the world. The fish on your plate was caught from waters you can see across the road. A sheep or two might be having breakfast outside your window when you wake. This was my reality when I stayed at The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye. This iconic restaurant offers Michelin-quality dining in a remote location that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life. The luxury accommodation at The House Over-By provides the perfect base for experiencing the celebrated tasting menu. If you’re seeking fine dining combined with authentic Scottish island life, here’s my complete review of The Three Chimneys Isle of Skye. Covering the Three Chimneys restaurant Skye experience, the Three Chimneys Skye menu, and the beautiful Three Chimneys Skye accommodation.
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Stay, Sleep & Eat at The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye
The Three Chimneys is located by Colbost, a hamlet by Loch Dunvegan on the northwest side of the Isle of Skye. It’s one of the largest islands off the Scottish west coast. The Isle of Skye is a very popular destination for tourists and is a fantastic place to visit due to its dramatic nature, incredible seafood and scotch whisky.
I’ve been on the island two times before and both trips were dedicated to visiting the whisky distilleries on the island: Talisker and Torabhaig.
♥ Read our complete Isle of Skye food & drinks guide
To get to The Three Chimneys you enjoy a scenic drive across the island, which includes navigating some single track roads for the last little section. The hotel and restaurant can be found about an hour from the Skye Bridge which connects the island to the mainland.
When you drive across the island it certainly feels like there are a lot more sheep than people around. Because of its remote location in an area that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, you immediately feel calmer. As if you’ve escaped the everyday world once you arrive.
The Three Chimneys Skye Accommodation at The House Over-By
I have such a weak spot for destinations that feel like an escape from the real world. Time flows differently on the Isle of Skye. This is especially true in this little corner of the island where you find The Three Chimneys.
When you step inside from the sideways rain and chilly wind, the friendly staff greet you immediately. They show you to your cosy room where you can “coorie” up (a Scottish word for nestling or snuggling). Sink into a comfortable chair. Pour yourself a cup of tea or perhaps a dram of whisky to warm up.
The Rooms at The House Over-By
The Three Chimneys Skye accommodation features elegant, yet cosy interior design with striped bedside lamps, sheepskin chairs and wool blankets. There is a selection of teas or coffee brew bags and a nice selection of drinks in the mini bar. Varying from little drams from local distilleries Talisker or Raasay to English wine from Gusbourne. I personally think make delightful sparkling wines.
The House Over By, which is just across from the restaurant (where the Three Chimneys Skye accommodation rooms) are located, also has a lounge area where you can enjoy drinks before or after dinner. Make sure you get the spot by the window so you can enjoy the peaceful view over the loch.
Breakfast with a View
After a good night’s sleep we woke up well-rested! When we opened up the curtains, we were greeted with two sheep rummaging through the gardens right outside our room for fresh grass. We instead opted to enjoy our breakfast indoors and headed back over to the restaurant building where we made our choices from the à la carte breakfast menu. My recommendation would be not to miss the granola.
Dinner at The Three Chimneys Restaurant Skye
I have been hearing a lot of good reviews from The Three Chimneys from friends and family over the years so that I was excited to finally get to experience it for myself, was quite the understatement. The Three Chimneys restaurant on Skye is primarily known for their incredible restaurant which serves a fantastic tasting menu celebrating produce from both the island itself, Scotland and across the UK.
The Three Chimneys Skye Menu & Pricing
The 5 course tasting menu is available for £120 per person and there is the option of adding wine pairings for £80 per person or the premium wine pairings for £115 per person. The Three Chimneys Skye menu changes seasonally to showcase the best local ingredients.
On the menu for the evening we had:
- Marinated Prawns
- Black Garlic, Onion & Oregano Rolls
- Sconser Scallop, Velouté
- North sea cod, Oyster & Horseradish
- Duck, Turnip & Goats Cheese Gnocchi
- Cranachan
Our Tasting Menu Experience
Everything felt really fresh and was presented in such a friendly manner by the incredible staff members. We had opted for the premium wine flight and the pairings were excellent. I really enjoy experiencing new flavours and in particular when local produce is the focus, but I can be a little difficult to impress since I have been incredibly lucky to experience so many different dining and drinks experiences across my travels. However, The Three Chimneys lived up to its reputation and we thoroughly enjoyed the dinner.
The absolute stand out dish was the Sconser Scallops which were the best scallops I have ever tried. Which is quite funny, because my previous top experience with scallops was also on the Isle of Skye but a couple years back at Edinbane Lodge. Alongside the scallops we enjoyed a wild sauvignon from Marlborough in New Zealand which was super interesting as it presented itself much more like a Chardonnay in character which paired beautifully with the seafood. Another highlight for the wines was the Canadian icewine made from Cabernet Franc grapes which was paired with the dessert. The red berry notes and sweetness paired so well with the Scottish classic that is Cranachan which is served with lots of cream and raspberries.
The Three Chimneys x Talisker Distillery Food & Whisky Collaboration
The Three Chimneys restaurant also has a venue about 30 minutes southwest right by Talisker Distillery. The collaboration between The Three Chimneys and Talisker Distillery started as a temporary pop up restaurant, but has now become a lasting addition to the distillery site experience. It’s a great spot for lunch after a distillery tour and tasting. Learn more about Talisker Distillery tours on their official site. The collaboration brings The Three Chimneys restaurant Skye experience to the west coast of the island.
There is even outdoor seating if you are lucky enough to visit on a day with beautiful weather (I have been to Skye three times now and I have only had rain and mild storms so far). The restaurant is located right across the road from the Talisker Distillery visitor centre and overlooks Loch Harport and the surrounding hills.
The Menu at Talisker
Since I get food envy quite easily, me and my husband decided to share two starters, two mains and one dessert. It wasn’t an easy decision but we ended up with cured salmon and scallops for the starters, venison loin and haggis, neeps and tatties for mains and an incredible warm brownie served with ice cream for dessert. The cured salmon was a standout dish for me, as were the venison which was just perfectly cooked and served alongside deliciously creamy mashed potatoes.
If you have not yet tried the Scottish national dish of haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) this would be an excellent spot to try it. You can’t visit Scotland and not try haggis, it is non-negotiable for me. You won’t even get away if you are vegetarian as there is vegetarian haggis as well, which is just as good as the classic version. So promise me that you will try it at least once? However I do have to mention that on the west coast of Scotland and particularly on the islands, it really is seafood that is the must-try. Here at Talisker the special serve is of course oysters au natural with a splash of Talisker whisky which is a magical pairing, another must-try!
FAQ
The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye is located on the north-west side of the island and is just over an hour drive from the Skye Bridge or around 5 – 5.5 hours from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
The Three Chimneys Skye menu features a 5-course tasting menu (£120 per person) celebrating Scottish produce. The menu changes seasonally to showcase the best ingredients available.
Peak season on the Isle of Skye is June-August. However, May and October are lovely months to visit. There are usually fewer midges (tiny biting insects), fewer tourists, and most places remain open. Some places shut down during winter months.
That is indeed a good question. In Scotland it is not uncommon to feel as if you are experiencing all four seasons in less than an hour, and on the islands the weather is well known for changing quickly and often. The best way to prepare is to bring both your raincoat, wellies, sunglasses and your SPF.
The House Over By is The Three Chimneys accommodation – luxury suites located just “over-by” from the original restaurant building. It’s perfect for combining your fine dining experience with an overnight stay in this remote corner of Skye (» Discover more Scottish islands like Raasay)
Looking for more inspiration for your Isle of Skye trip?
- Isle of Skye restaurants, cafés and oyster sheds
- Isle of Raasay – the hidden island gem next to the Isle of Skye
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Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
