Built
in 1867 by the Seventh Earl of Dunmore, Amhuinnsuidhe Castle (pronounced
Avin-sooee) is the traditional home of the owner of the Amhuinnsuidhe Estate,
which covers North Harris on the island of Harris off Scotland’s west coast.
It’s also a magnificent location for just a short island break or a week of
fishing, deer-stalking or grouse-shooting.
The
landscape of the Outer Hebrides is rocky and surreal, with very few trees due
to the strong Atlantic winds that can pound the islands for much of the
year. But late summer here can be very
beautiful: the rocky hills are covered with bracken and heather, black-faced
sheep graze nearby, the sun sparkles on the loch where red otters plunge from rocks
and time stands still.
The
castle’s rooms are beautifully and regally decorated with antiques and
paintings and the public rooms, and many of the bedrooms, have views across the
Sound of Taransay to the outlying islands. Fresh local produce is one of the
highlights of a stay at the Castle, which has its own hillside garden and draws
on local seafood (enormous king scallops, langoustines and bright blue
lobsters, salmon and sea trout), venison and lamb.
Meals
are served in the Castle’s beautiful panelled dining room with after dinner
coffee and liqueurs (or more likely malt whiskeys) served through in the
library. Talented guests have even been known to strike up a tune on the
magnificent Steinway piano.
Amhuinnsuidhe
Castle Estate
Isle
of Harris
Western
Isles
HS3 3AS
Tel: +44 (0) 1859
560 200
Fax: +44 (0) 1859
560 263
Email:
info@amhuinnsuidhe.com