Please note: the hotel has unfortunately since closed, and the building has been taken over by the distillery next door.
Comfortable accommodation on Islay. An taigh-osda is a stylish, cosy hotel well suited to couples, with sea views for guests to enjoy too.
What sets an taigh-osda apart is that it isn’t done out in the typical British style. This is no cluttered old country house. Instead, the decor is clean-lined and stylish, free of frills – yet still cosy.
Guests can book bed & breakfast at an taigh-osda, but can also take dinner in the evening (booking required by that morning). Dinner isn’t exactly cheap at around £30, but it’s well worth treating yourself once during your stay, since the cooking is delicious, fresh and refreshingly untypical.
Also worth a mention is the cosy lounge with its own bar. Owner Paul Graham is always happy to offer whisky tips here, and unsurprisingly keeps mostly Islay malts in his cabinet.
The hotel has five double rooms in total, not all with sea views. Depending on the booking type, prices range between £65 and £110 per person per night.
Personal notes: a stylish stay
I was looking for somewhere that would offer my girlfriend and me a certain standard of comfort. We spent two nights at an taigh-osda and felt very much at home. Coming back from our day trip touring across Islay, we could wrap ourselves in thick bathrobes, brew a hot cup of tea, and sink into the armchairs with a view of the sea.
One evening, we treated ourselves to dinner too, and didn’t regret it – it was beautifully seasoned and lovingly presented. Breakfast was also delicious and generous. Alongside the hearty Scottish fare, we could also order sweet pancakes – important for me, as someone who prefers a sweet breakfast.
Down in the tiny bar, we struck up conversation straightaway and had a great time chatting with other guests, while Paul kept us topped up with delicious Bruichladdich whisky.
The only thing – and I hope Paul Graham will forgive me for mentioning it – was the owner’s habit of clearing his throat, which was a touch off-putting. But honestly, that’s the only thing that was even slightly bothersome about an taigh-osda.
Did you know: what does “An taigh-osda” mean?
An taigh-osda is Gaelic, and simply means “hotel”. It’s pronounced roughly “an tie-oss-da”, with the stress on the middle two syllables.
Getting there:
Coming from Port Ellen, take the main A846 towards Bridgend, then turn left towards Bruichladdich. Coming from Port Askaig, take the A846 towards Bridgend from the other direction, then turn right towards Bruichladdich. An taigh-osda sits right next to the distillery on the main road.