Taigh Ailean Hotel is situated at the end of the Minginish Peninsula on Skye, in Portnalong. Meaning Allan’s House in English Taigh Ailean has been here for over a century. Initially a working croft and now a comfortable family run hotel with a restaurant and bar for both residents and non residents. It has become one of our favourite spots for a relaxing evening meal.
Getting to Taigh Ailean Hotel
On the A863 Slihachan to Dunvegan road take the turning to Carbost/Talisker Distillery. It is the turning with the large wooden Tatty-Boggle (scarecrow) carving . Follow this road down to Carbost and along the front of the Talisker Distillery. Here the road turns sharply left up hill. In a short distance up the hill there is a turning on the right signed for Portnalong 2.5 miles. Take this road and follow it through the smaller township of Fernilea until you reach Portnalong. The road forks to the left, stay driving straight ahead here and Taigh Ailean is up ahead. The car parking is on the left of the road and Taigh Ailean on the right.
Access at Taigh Ailean
Munros Bar is located up two flights of stairs with hand rails on both sides. Sarah can manage to climb stairs albeit slowly and carefully so we opted to dine upstairs. However if you cannot manage stairs there is a four table restaurant downstairs which can be accessed through the hotel’s front door. Here there is only one step over the threshold. There is a fire door in the restaurant area but we forgot to check what the access was like here. All that said, we would recommend you phone and book a table in advance as it is a very popular place. When you speak to Katie your hostess at Taigh Ailean she is very friendly, caring and understanding of people’s needs. So have a chat with her if you have any mobility issues.
Next to the downstairs restaurant is a brand new accessible toilet and two further toilets. Katie and Johnny have spent a lot of time and energy building this new accessible toilet during the Covid lockdown so we were excited to see it with our own eyes. She has been sending us photos but Sarah was very impressed with all the small details that make sure the space is suitable for all disabilities.
Eating at Taigh Ailean
We have come to love eating at Taigh Ailean and only wish it were closer to home. Despite the 40 minute drive we are never disappointed and always leave with full bellies and smiling faces.
The menu is packed with local produce and big flavours. It caters for meat lovers, vegetarians, pescatarians, vegans, gluten free you name it really. Personally we can vouch for the “Almost Legendary” Fish and Chips, Slow Roast Beef, and Chickpea, Spinach & Sweet Potato Burger from the main menu. Last night we tried a couple of dishes from the Specials Menu and they were also delicious – Creamed Leek & Pea Risotto and Bacon wrapped Pheasant Breasts. But please go to Taigh Ailean hungry as the portions are huge, and we mean huge!
The first time we visited we tried some of the starters as they were just too tempting. We enjoyed the finger licking Sticky Wings & Drums and Home-made Mozzarella Fingers. Both were absolutely delicious but we struggled to leave any space for dessert. It wasn’t impossible but our clothing was at breaking point! This time we decided to forgo the starters so we could really dig into the dessert menu. Sarah’s eyes lit up when she saw the Salted Caramel Chocolate Fudge Cake. The menu described it as “Big and Chocolately”, this was definitely true, it was huge! In fact the spoon in the picture looks dwarfed but it was a full size dessert spoon! The Specials Menu also had a very tempting Pavlova on it which was very very tasty indeed.
There are plenty of things left on the menu that we want to try and other dishes we’d happily eat again. The welcome is warm, the food excellent and the location has great views. What more do you need!
Staying at Taigh Ailean
We can’t offer any advice on the rooms as we have not stayed over at Taigh Ailean but I am sure your hosts Katie and Johnny will be only to glad to help answer any questions you might have. And for those like us who have to travel home, enjoy the view on the way back!
