Picture by marhasOverlooking one of the most beautiful beaches on the Isle of Harris Scarista House is a small luxurious hotel with a mouthwatering mostly organic haute cuisine and fabulous views, set in one of the wildest landscapes of Europe. "In possibly one of the remotest and inhospitable parts of Britain, it's a joy to discover one of the most comfortable and hospitable places to stay", writes thehotelguru.com.
Picture by marhasScarista Beach, more than two miles long
The Georgian house has been built in 1827 as the manse for the Church of Scotland minister. The two-mile long white sandy Scarista Beach (Traigh Scarista) looks out into the Atlantic Ocean and sometimes shows a translucent turquoise, "more reminiscent of the Caribbean than Scotland", as The Guardian noted. At its southwest end Mount Ceapabhal rises to 339 metres. When walking on this beach you often have it just for yourself.
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Picture by marhasWhen the church gave up the house, it was bought by Andrew and Alison Johnson in the mid of the 1990s, they renovated it and opened a hotel. In the book "A house on the shore" Alison Johnson describes how they turned a rat-infested near-ruin into a hotel. Tim and Patricia Martin, today the proprietors, have arrived in 1999.
Picture by marhasView of Scarista Beach from the garden of Scarista House
When you enter Sacrista House today, you will find yourself in a charming and authentic old house with a lot of old furniture - and a top-notch cuisine. There are three bedrooms in the main house and three suites (each with its own private little sitting room) in the adjacent Glebe House. A library and a first floor drawing room, both with open fires, are also available to guests. The library is a treasure full of books about the Hebrides islands and many more. So you will have no time to miss television and radio in your room. Wi-Fi is available, sometimes the signal can be poor, as Scarista House gets it radio transmitted.
Picture by marhasScarista Beach seen through the window of the dining room
Picture by marhasWhat's growing in the kitchen garden will sooner or later add flavours to your dinner.
Scarista House serves for dinner a set menu with no choice, but with prior notice it will be adjusted to dietary or vegetarian needs. "We aim for natural, skilled cooking of the ingredients most immediately available, especially the islands' fish, shellfish, lamb, beef and game. We use organic, wild or home-produced ingredients as much as possible", Tim and Patricia Martin, the proprietors, write on their homepage. Bread, cakes, biscuits and ice-creams are made by them, the shortbread and oatcakes are made by Flora MacLeod, the mother of George, the restaurant manager. The restaurant has been featured in Alastair Sawday's guide Eat Slow Britain. In the guestrooms you can read who are the food suppliers.
Picture by marhasEvery day another highlight: The dinner created by Chef Tim Martin. One dessert: Peaches poached in prosecco with strawberry cream. Or look at this gorgeous presentation of beef:
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Picture by marhasA library full of surprises instead of TV and Radio in the rooms
You will find excellent reviews by guests on tripadvisor.com.
Picture by marhasScarista style in the dining room
Picture by marhasScarista style in the suite Flora: bedroom
Picture by marhasScarista style in the suite Flora: living room
Picture by marhasView from the living room of suite Flora
Discover beaches and standing stones near Scarista House: Treasures of Harris Island
Find Walking Tours near Scarista House: Walking and more of the Hebrides
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