To boldly go on a Storr trek on the beautiful isle of Skye

There’ll be a whisky waiting for you at the end of a day’s exploring on Skye

was exactly what Skeabost House Hotel would provide.

The beautiful old white-painted building, located seven miles from Portree, dates back to 1871 but has been lovingly restored by Anne Gracie and Ken Gunn, whose accolades include Scottish Hoteliers of the Year.

The 18-bedroom Skeabost, winner of seven regional prizes at the Scottish Hotel Awards last week, sits in 23 acres of stunning woodland and on the edge of a loch. It has its own nine-hole golf course and the River Snizort, which is well worth taking a walk beside, runs through the grounds.

But at this time of year the emphasis is on the indoors.

With a toasty fireside, warming whisky and, best of all, a warm welcome, this is the ideal place to banish the winter blues.

The room, with its stunning four-poster bed and a bathroom bigger than most people’s living rooms, expertly combined traditional décor with modern touches.

On both evenings the three-course dinner was beautifully presented – and tasted even better.

And what better way to relax after a scrumptious meal than in the adjoining snug, where the fire was roaring, the chatty staff talked to us like old friends and the incredibly well-stocked bar offered up no end of choices.

The following morning we took a tour of Talisker, Skye’s only distillery and visited the magical Fairy Pools, a crystal-clear stream of mini-waterfalls and pools at the foot of the Black Cuillins.

No matter the weather, this was a walk worth making, and we weren’t the only ones to think so evidenced by the steady flow of people making their way excitedly down into the glen.

As we packed the car we felt sad about leaving the hotel so soon.

But if we ever return we can be assured of one thing, no matter the time of year the trip will be worthwhile for the hospitality awaiting us at Skeabost.