UK holidays: Relax in style on magical Scottish isle

Style, effortless grace and wonderful ambience combine here to offer an excellence which many may think has long been lost.

Thankfully, it is to be found in bundles at this five-star property situated on its own 300-acre private island near Oban.

A scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive from Glasgow brings you to Eriska.

A narrow, single track leads from the main road before finally arriving in front of the beautifully refurbished property which is cushioned between Loch Linnhe and the Morvern mountains.The hotel offers a wide variety of accommodation choices, many of which are located within the main building.

My wife Lynn and I were, however, lucky enough to be staying (pre-lockdown) in one of the six Hilltop Reserves, self-catering accommodation which as well as boasting astonishing views across to the island of Lismore, offer a huge decking area outside complete with hot-tub.

Our stunning cottage had a large bedroom, ultra-modern kitchen and luxuriously equipped living area complete with full satellite TV package, music system and CD player.

You can also choose a reserve with two bedrooms. Rest assured, they too meet the extremely high standards of their smaller counterparts.

Getting up to the cottages is slightly daunting as they are reached via a track which could be described as “testing” by motorsports’ enthusiasts.

But have no fear, you are not alone.

One of the very welcoming members of staff will escort you up there, leading the way in the hotel’s 4×4, ensuring that you arrive safe and sound.

After helping us unload our car, we were asked what time we wanted to be picked up for dinner – a trek down to the hotel on foot might have been too much to deal with but tonight we were being chauffeured there and more importantly, back afterwards.

The Isle of Eriska boasts a superb leisure centre complete with 17m-long indoor pool, sauna and gym as well as tennis, squash and badminton courts.

For those who would prefer to explore the island, there are several marked trails of varying degrees of difficulty which will take you through the forests and other attractions of this amazing place.

Seals, badgers, Highland cattle, golden eagles and deer all call this place home and none seem too fussed by the presence of their two-legged observers. Golfers too are catered for here with a six-hole, par 22 course on offer although it is ultimately hoped that this will eventually become a nine-hole, par 35 course.

Falconry courses, sea kayaking and boat trips are all available through the hotel while lovers of fly, salmon or trout fishing are also well catered for.

Part of the joy of staying at the Isle of Eriska is the opportunity to wind down, switch off and relax. Find yourself a comfy armchair in front of a roaring fire with a single malt in your hand and soak up the history and magnificence of this building.

Beautifully and tastefully furnished, the hotel lends itself to times of yesteryear but with a modern twist.

The perfect vistas make it a very popular venue for weddings and it is even licensed for civil ceremonies.

But let us not forget where we began – dinner.

The hotel’s Michelin-star restaurant does a wonderful, threecourse a la carte dinner (£75 per person) which is served in beautiful surroundings by staff who not only care but are trained in all things culinary.

source: express.co.uk