Business Details
Your Historic Retreat at Viewfield House, Portree
We are proud stewards of Viewfield House, a historic Victorian country house hotel that has been our family home for over two centuries. Built in the early 19th century by Lord Macdonald's chamberlain, our property retains its original architectural integrity while offering modern comforts. Our establishment combines the grandeur of a bygone era with contemporary hospitality, situated within 20 acres of woodland gardens overlooking Portree. As the fourth generation to manage this property, we maintain its legacy through carefully preserved interiors and personalized service.Our guests benefit from our deep local knowledge, having operated as both legal custodians and tourism pioneers in Skye since 1846. We ensure every visitor experiences the unique character of this historic property while enjoying curated amenities that reflect our family's commitment to excellence in hospitality.
Services
Bed & Breakfast
Victorian Rooms
Sailing Trips
Wedding Hire
Garden Tours
Highlights and features
- We offer 200 years of family-run hospitality expertise in Skye
- Our property combines Victorian architecture with modern comforts
- We provide exclusive sailing experiences on our private yacht
- Our dining experience features locally sourced, homemade cuisine
- We maintain 20 acres of private woodland gardens for guest exploration
Services
Bed & Breakfast
Our 13 individually decorated rooms offer Victorian elegance with modern comforts. Each room features antique furnishings and unique character. Guests enjoy daily housekeeping and complimentary WiFi throughout the property.
Victorian Dining
Our traditional breakfast menu features locally sourced ingredients and homemade preserves. Options include full Scottish breakfast, vegetarian dishes, and fresh seafood. Evening meals feature seasonal pies with dietary alternatives available.
Sailing Trips
Explore Skye's coastline aboard our yacht Breeze. Professional skipper-led tours include Prosecco and afternoon tea. Half-day trips start at 95 per person with custom charters available upon request.
Wedding Hire
Our historic house accommodates winter weddings and special events. The property offers self-catering options with capacity for intimate celebrations. Minimum three-night bookings apply during off-season periods.
Garden Exploration
20 acres of woodland gardens feature walking paths and native plant collections. Guests access private trails leading to village viewpoints and hilltop vistas. The grounds include Skye Shrubs nursery and Viewfield Garden Collective.
People
Hugh Macdonald
Owner/Manager
Fourth-generation custodian of Viewfield House, Hugh transitioned from corporate life to manage the family estate in 2016. He balances tradition with modern hospitality needs while preserving the property's heritage.
Iona Macdonald
Co-manager
Hugh's daughter Iona joined the business in 2016 after working abroad. She brings contemporary management skills to the historic property while maintaining family traditions.
Jasper
Skipper
Professional skipper operating sailing tours on Breeze. Combines maritime expertise with local knowledge to create memorable coastal experiences for guests exploring Skye by sea.
Evelyn Macdonald
Former Proprietor
Matriarch who maintained Viewfield House through challenging financial periods. Ran the business successfully from 1948 until passing management to her grandson Hugh in 1984.
Colonel Jock Macdonald
Historical Figure
Key transitional figure who moved from India to manage Viewfield in 1948. Preserved family heritage while adapting to post-war economic realities, establishing the modern hospitality model.
Questions
How do I book accommodation at Viewfield House?
Bookings can be made directly through our website or by contacting us via telephone. We recommend booking well in advance for peak season availability.
What amenities are included in the room rate?
Rates include full Scottish breakfast, WiFi access, and use of our 20-acre grounds. Extra beds available for children under 12 at additional cost.
Is Viewfield House accessible for wheelchair users?
We have one ground-floor accessible bedroom with wet-floor shower. The entire ground floor is wheelchair accessible with no steps.
What sailing trip options are available?
Half-day sailing trips start at £95 per person. Custom charters with landings on nearby islands available upon request with professional skipper service.
Can I host a wedding at Viewfield House?
We offer self-catering winter wedding packages. The house accommodates intimate ceremonies with minimum three-night bookings required during off-season periods.
Reviews (5)
Justin Leatherwood
Jun 09, 2022
Report
Stunning property, very cool old home with interesting rooms, friendly staff. Hope to come back again sometime!
Zeh-Ty Hua
May 26, 2022
Report
Magnificient manor filled with family history and warmth. The drawing room with the fire in the cheminey after a long day of visiting Skye is just perfect. The breakfast is amazing, cooked on demand. And it is not even that expensive compared to other lodging in Portree. I'm not sure there is actually anything bad to mention about this place.
Helene Exbrayat
May 17, 2022
Report
Astonishing hotel with grate people ( especially Andy very funny). The house looks loke Harry Potters one! Everything is classy and clean. We had very good time j'utilise, unfortunatly too short. Thanks a lot to Jasper and Andy for theor marseillais welcoming! I will come.back!
Rhianna Lee
Apr 24, 2022
Report
Iona, Jasper and their staff were fantastic and so nice when we stayed here for 3 nights. We booked almost all of their rooms for our large family party and it was a pleasure to stay here. The grounds are beautiful and the rooms are unique and very nice. While the minority might think the decor is tired, I saw it as a lovely vintage time capsule. Breakfast was always plentiful and delicious. It felt like we were staying in a home rather than a hotel, I highly recommend it!
Andrew Wiebe
Apr 21, 2022
Report
Wonderful stay in this old eccentric manor. We were treated very well by the staff and enjoyed a dram by the fire each evening before bed. Comfortable rooms and great location.
