Wickman family acquires historic Kinloch Lodge on Skye

The historic Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye has been sold by the MacDonald family to fellow island hoteliers, the Wickman family. The 18-guestroom property, located on the shores of Loch na Dal, had been owned by the MacDonalds since the 16th century and operated as a hotel since 1972.

Isabella MacDonald, director of Kinloch Lodge, took over running the hotel from her parents in 2010. She stated the family had established the hotel as a globally recognised property while retaining the feel of a family home. The hotel was advised on the sale by Savills.

A Hotel with Accolades

Kinloch Lodge has gained significant international recognition. It was named the best hotel in Scotland in the Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. The property also holds a Michelin Key, an award from the Michelin Guide for outstanding hotels.

Steven Fyfe, director of hotel capital markets at Savills Scotland, commented on the sale. He called Kinloch Lodge a unique hotel on Skye with a global reputation for excellence.

The New Owners' Plans

The Wickman family has operated hotels on Skye since the early 1990s, starting with the Cuillin Hills Hotel in Portree. They acquired the Flodigarry Hotel in Trotternish in 2024, another former MacDonald property. Edward Wickman now leads the family business, Wickman Hotels Ltd.

With the acquisition of Kinloch Lodge, Wickman Hotels now operates three hotels across the island. Edward Wickman outlined his family's vision for the property.

"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," he said. "Kinloch is not a hotel to be reinvented; it is a hotel to be looked after."

He announced a phased £1.6 million investment program for the hotel over the coming years. The aim is to enhance what guests love about Kinloch rather than alter it.

Industry and Community Response

A VisitScotland spokesperson welcomed the continuity of ownership. The spokesperson noted that luxury accommodation and quality food and drink experiences are important to visitors seeking authentic experiences in the Highlands.

"Kinloch Lodge has been an integral part of Skye’s tourism offering for many years," the VisitScotland spokesperson told Hotel Owner. "We are pleased to see its ownership continuing through well-known faces on Skye, who have a long-standing commitment to providing high-quality visitor experiences."

Edward Wickman concluded by looking to the future. He said the family's ambition is to operate three very special hotels in three different corners of Skye, each telling its own part of the island's story.