Scarista House

Scarista, Western Isles

The long drive is worth it to this edge-of-the-world location, where a Georgian manse, with pretty, traditional rooms and superb food, overlooks a long sandy beach. More

Good Hotel Guide Review

The long drive is worth it to this edge-of-the-world location, where a Georgian manse, with pretty, traditional rooms and superb food, overlooks a long sandy beach. Patricia Martin, co-owner with husband Tim, makes practically everything from scratch – from bread and cakes to pasta and ice cream – and greets guests with afternoon tea before they go for a walk (beach or hills) to work up an appetite for the nightly changing set dinner. Dishes could include monkfish with fennel and pea purée, and cherry clafoutis and almond ice cream. With notice, most diets are imaginatively catered for. There’s a pretty blue dining room, a garden room for summer eating, and two sitting rooms with a ‘homely atmosphere’, squashy sofas and fires; one has ‘wall-to-wall bookshelves’. Bedrooms (three in outbuildings) have a no-nonsense traditional style with patterned wallpapers, solid wood furniture and pretty china. All have views of garden, beach or hills; two have sitting areas with sofa and wrap-around windows facing the sea. Sleep to the sound of the sea and wake to ‘the lowing of cows and cry of seagulls’ and a ‘generous breakfast’.

Hotel details

Address

Scarista
Isle of Harris
Western Isles
HS3 3HX
Scotland

Telephone

01859 550238

Bedrooms

6. 3 in annexe.

Open

mid-Feb–end Nov.

Facilities

drawing room, library, 
2 dining rooms, Wi-Fi not available in some bedrooms, wedding facilities, 1-acre garden, unsuitable for disabled.

Background music

none.

Children

all ages welcomed, extra bed £25, children's 2-course early supper £15.

Dogs

allowed in bedrooms (£10 per stay) and 1 public room.

Credit cards

Amex, MC, Visa.

Prices

B&B doubles from £246, singles from £185. Set dinner £57–£65. Min. 2-night stay (ring to check 1-night availability).

Other reviews

The Hotel Guru

Comments about Scarista House

A splendid small establishment that’s built a well-deserved reputation for excellent feasting at dinner and for its privileged position overlooking one of the most extraordinary locations in the British isles. Wonderfully decadent afternoon tea. Everything a bit lived in. Bedroom large and comfy but bed too soft. A wonderful bathroom. - EH - March 2017

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