The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye

Much has been written already about The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye and although this a blog about wine I couldn’t let one of the best meals in my life pass by without adding my view on the place.

My view can be summed up in one word – stunning.

 

The sheer remoteness of the place and the anticipation that develops in the journey there all add to the sense of this being something special. Add to this the fact that I was being treated to dinner by my lovely wife as it was a VERY significant birthday for me just made the visit a real sense of occasion.

 

The location looking out onto Loch Dunvegan, the simplicity of the building itself (a croft) and the way it had been furnished right down to the black slate tableware, the quality of the food and the way it was all presented made this one of the two best meals in my life, the other being at a 3 star Michelin restaurant.

 

The menu was as follows:

Skye Lochs "Fruits de Mer" with Glendale organic Mesclun and Ferneyfold Farm Rapeseed Vinaigrette

Pressed Shoulder, Haggis and Roast Loin of Blackface Lamb with Pearl Barley, Husaboast Summer vegetables, Kale and Orbost Nettles

"The Hot Marmalade Pudding" with Drambuie Custard

The service was exemplary from a generally young staff. They explained every dish when it came placing emphasis on the locality of the ingredients. “Your langoustine has come from Loch Dunvegan which you can see through the window” being the best example. And I’ve learned a new word for Scrabble – a syboe is Scottish and looks like a miniature leek!

 

The sommelier was incredibly helpful. As this is a blog all about wine I ought to write down my detailed tasting notes but that would be to suggest that the wines were more important than the food. After all I’ve not given you a detailed tasting note for the food but suffice it to say I had a lovely glass of Montlouis with my starter, the Cairanne 2009 came from one of the best vintages in a while and the Muscat de Rivesaltes for the dessert reminded me of a 20 or 30 year old tawny port.

 

I can’t wait to go back. It’s a long way – Google says 11.5 hours if I’m driving from home – but it is absolutely worth it