Isle of Skye’s Renowned Kinloch Lodge Acquired by Fellow Island Hoteliers, Signalling Continued Investment in Scottish Luxury Tourism
The Wickman family expands its Skye portfolio with the acquisition of the historic Kinloch Lodge from the Macdonald family, pledging a £1.6 million investment to preserve its legacy.
Kinloch Lodge, one of Scotland’s most esteemed hotels nestled on the Isle of Skye, has undergone a change of ownership, transitioning from the long-standing Macdonald family to the Wickman family, who are also prominent hoteliers on the island. The acquisition sees the 18-bedroom property, celebrated for its unique hospitality and scenic location on the shores of Loch na Dal, join the Wickman family’s growing portfolio of historic Skye establishments.
The Macdonald family has owned the Kinloch Lodge estate since the 16th century, with the property initially serving as a farmhouse, then a shooting lodge in the early 19th century, before being converted into a hotel in 1972 by Godfrey and Claire Macdonald. Isabella Macdonald, who took over the day-to-day running of the hotel from her parents in 2010, expressed her confidence in the new owners. “We are delighted to be handing the keys to the Wickman family, and know they will be custodians of great integrity for Kinloch,” she stated. “Together with my parents, over more than five decades, we have established Kinloch as a hotel of global renown that feels like a family home to guests from all over the world. It means a great deal to us that the Wickman family value family hospitality as part of their vision for positive, generative tourism in our unique setting of Skye.”
Kinloch Lodge has garnered international acclaim for its commitment to excellence. It was notably ranked the best hotel in Scotland in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. These annual awards, considered among the most prestigious in the travel industry, are based on votes from readers who evaluate hotels on criteria such as atmosphere, service, and food. The hotel also holds a Michelin Key, an honour launched in 2024 by the Michelin Guide to recognise hotels offering exceptional hospitality. Hotels are assessed anonymously on five universal criteria, including excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, unique personality, value for money, and a significant contribution to the local setting.
The acquiring Wickman family has a substantial history in Skye’s hospitality sector, having owned and operated the Cuillin Hills Hotel in Portree since the early 1990s. The Cuillin Hills Hotel itself has roots as a Macdonald family shooting lodge, built in 1865, before its conversion into a hotel in the mid-1960s. In 2024, the Wickmans further expanded their island footprint by acquiring the Flodigarry Hotel in Trotternish, another property with historical ties to the Macdonald clan, whose grounds famously include Flora MacDonald’s cottage, associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape after Culloden.
With Kinloch Lodge joining their existing properties, the Wickman family now oversees three distinct and storied hotels across Skye, each bearing a historic connection to Clan Donald, one of Scotland’s largest and most influential clans. Edward Wickman, Managing Director of Wickman Hotels Ltd, articulated the family’s approach: “We have a great deal of respect for the legacy of the Macdonald family in hospitality and tourism, on Skye and beyond- and we are very conscious of the responsibility that comes with continuing it. Kinloch is not a hotel to be reinvented; it is a hotel to be looked after.” He further elaborated on their overarching vision: “Our ambition is a simple one: three very special hotels, in three very different corners of this extraordinary island, each telling its own part of Skye’s story.”
The Wickman family has assured that operations at Kinloch Lodge will continue as usual, with no immediate changes for its loyal guests, employees, or network of suppliers. Edward Wickman outlined plans for significant investment: “Continuity, quality and consistency are paramount in our commitment as Kinloch’s new owner-operators. It is the feeling of Kinloch — the amazing team, the award-winning food, the Macdonald portraits and the stirring views — that people travel for and return to, time and again, and none of that changes. Over the coming years we will invest carefully and substantially in the fabric of the hotel: a phased £1.6 million programme that will enhance what guests love about Kinloch rather than alter it.”
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The transaction underscores the enduring appeal of Scotland’s luxury hospitality sector, particularly in renowned tourist destinations like the Isle of Skye. The island welcomes over 650,000 visitors annually, contributing approximately £260 million to the local economy and supporting a quarter of its workforce. However, the region also faces challenges, including housing shortages that impact staffing in the tourism industry. Despite these pressures, the Scottish hotel market has demonstrated resilience, with investment volumes reaching £310 million in 2023, a 98% increase from the previous year, and a growing interest in boutique properties. Industry experts advocate for continued investment in property improvements and guest experiences to sustain growth and enhance Scotland’s global appeal.
Savills, a leading property advisor, counselled the Macdonald family on the sale. Steven Fyfe, Director in the Hotel Capital Markets team at Savills Scotland, commented on the suitability of the purchasers: “Kinloch Lodge is a unique hotel on Skye with a global reputation for excellence. The Wickman family will continue the excellent work the Macdonalds have carried out over the years, and their experience in running a small group of successful hotels on the island made it clear that they would be the ideal purchasers.” The acquisition by Wickman Hotels was financed with support from Handelsbanken’s Northern Scotland Branch. Barrie Aird, Corporate Banking Manager at Handelsbanken, highlighted the bank’s role: “Handelsbanken is delighted to be supporting Wickman Hotels in the next stage of their growth strategy. As a local relationship bank, we understand the importance of being an integral part of the local community.”
