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Isle of Skye

The Old Inn

A free house pub on the tideline of Loch Harport at Carbost, with Skye ales, seafood from the loch and music on Thursdays.

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Welcome

At Carbost, a little way along the shore from the Talisker distillery, a whitewashed inn with blue trim and dormer windows stands behind a low stone sea wall on the edge of Loch Harport.

In summer the tables and parasols along the wall fill up with people watching the light on the water; in winter everyone moves inside, round the open fires.

The Old Inn is a free house, tied to no brewery, and it feels like the village's own pub: a bar stocked with Scottish whiskies and ales, a pool table, and wholesome bar meals built on Highland fish, meat and produce. It has rooms of its own, many looking out over the loch, a family chalet, and a waterfront bunkhouse with a big shared kitchen, so a night here is easy to arrange. Dogs are as welcome at the bar as their owners.

Before you go

The bar is open to everyone, walkers, drivers and dogs alike.

Tables can only be reserved by guests staying at the inn; everyone else is first come, first served.

Bar
Open daily from 12 noon until late.
Breakfast
Every day, 7.45am to 9.30am, open to non-residents.
Dogs
Welcome in the pub and the lodge rooms, but not in the bunkhouse.
Parking
Beside the inn, with limited spaces.

Did you know

A white gabled house with blue trim sits behind a stone sea wall, outdoor seating and parasols set along the shore.
Did you know

On the tideline.

The inn sits right on the tideline of Loch Harport, and most of the seafood on its menu comes from the loch beside it.

The Old Inn's sign hangs on its whitewashed gable end above a wooden fence and steps leading up from the loch shore.
Did you know

Three hand pumps.

The bar has three hand pumps, pouring mostly Isle of Skye beers.

The Old Inn's whitewashed dormer-windowed building overlooks a loch, framed by trees and a stone wall.
Did you know

Music every Thursday.

There is live traditional Scottish music in the bar every Thursday, and more through the year.

The Old Inn's hanging sign is visible through spring blossom, its slate roof and whitewashed walls overlooking the loch.
Did you know

Climbers and whisky tourists.

The regulars are an odd mix: climbers and hill walkers down from the Cuillin, and visitors from the Talisker distillery, a hundred metres down the road.

The Old Inn's sign hangs above a wooden fence and path leading toward the whitewashed building and loch beyond.
Did you know

An island pub of the year finalist.

In 2018 the Old Inn was a finalist for Best Scottish Island Pub.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Skye

A short stroll from the Talisker Distillery is this CAMRA-recommended lochside pub that draws hikers, dog-walkers and tourists – and for very good reason. The setting’s spectacular, the food ranges from fish and chips to vegan curries, and there’s decent B&B accommodation. It’s previously been named Skye’s best pub.

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The Old Inn's whitewashed dormer-windowed building overlooks a loch, framed by trees and a stone wall.
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Where it is

On the shore of Loch Harport at Carbost, a short walk from the Talisker distillery.

Close byThe places nearest the inn, around Carbost.
  1. Talisker DistilleryTalisker DistillerySkye's oldest working distillery, on the shore of Loch Harport since 1830.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Caora Dhubh Coffee CompanyCaora Dhubh Coffee CompanyA tin-roofed coffee shack on the shore of Loch Harport, beside the distillery.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. The Three Chimneys at TaliskerThe Three Chimneys at TaliskerDining on the edge of Loch Harport, with the Cuillin behind.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Oyster ShedThe Oyster ShedLocal seafood, from oysters to lobster bisque, at Carbost.Under a mile 3 min by road
  5. Carbost Burn WaterfallCarbost Burn WaterfallA waterfall up a winding road inland from Carbost, at its best after rain.1 mile 3 min by road
  6. Café CùilCafé CùilA red-roofed café on the shore of Loch Harport, serving Hebridean brunch.2 miles 3 min by road
  7. The Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle: white water spilling over dark rock into a clear pool, the jagged ridge of the Black Cuillin rising behind.Fairy PoolsClear pools and waterfalls at the foot of the Black Cuillin.5 miles 8 min by road
Directions
White painted building marked Talisker Distillery, with a footbridge crossing the burn belowAttractionsThe Bar at Talisker Distillery0.2 miles
Long timber-clad building with a dark metal roof and red-framed windowsPortnalongSkyewalker HostelSleeps 27 · 3.3 miles
Poached egg on toast with tomato relish, coffee and cake behindCafeBog Myrtle Café4.5 miles over the water
Grassy cliffs edge a rocky shoreline under grey skiesAttractionsDun Ardtreck and Ardtreck Point Lighthouse4.6 miles
Sheep resting on a grassy slope above coastal cliffs and seaAttractionsOronsay Island, Ullinish4.8 miles over the water
Cliffs and shingle beach curve around a blue sea inlet under distant hillsWalksBiod Ruadh and Preshal Beg4.8 miles
Sheep graze beneath a grassy cliff overlooking a rocky sea stackAttractionsTalisker Bay4.8 miles
Frost-tipped grass on a rocky headland beside calm coastal watersWalksOronsay, Loch Bracadale4.9 miles over the water
Snow-covered road winding towards mist-shrouded mountains under a grey skyAttractionsSligachan7.8 miles
The Daily for 17 October, from Scotland with love. A wide waterfall churns over rock ledges, autumn trees lining the gorge.

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the inn, and when each is next free.

Long timber-clad building with a dark metal roof and red-framed windowsSkyewalker Hostel
  • Sleeps 27
  • In Portnalong
  • 3 miles from the Old Inn
Check datesA river winds through moorland with a white cottage below misty hillsSligachan Campsite
  • To stay
  • In Sligachan
  • 7 miles from the Old Inn
Check datesWood-burning stove alight beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a hillside pathSligachan Blackhouses
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Sligachan
  • 7 miles from the Old Inn
Check datesGravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittle Campsite
  • To stay
  • In Glenbrittle
  • 7 miles from the Old Inn
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on SkyeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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