Skye’s Three Chimneys restaurant sold after 34 years

Well-known destination restaurant on the Isle of Skye, The Three Chimneys, has been sold by its founders after 34 years to Scottish hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray.

Shirley and Eddie Spear founded The Three Chimneys 1985, based in an original Skye croft house. The House Over-By, the restaurant’s adjacent six bedroom suites, opened on 1 May 1999.

The Spears will remain involved in the business for a short transition period while Gray has invited Shirley to continue to work with him in an advisory capacity.

The Three Chimneys will now be run as part of Gray’s hotel and restaurant business, The Wee Hotel Company.

Following the acquisition, all jobs at the restaurant have been retained, including head chef, Scott Davies, who finished as the runner up in the 2013 edition of the BBC’s Masterchef: The professionals.

The business is also honouring all reservations and bookings for the restaurant and the six bedroom suites in The House Over-By

Shirley Spear, co-owner at The Three Chimneys, said: “Eddie and I have dedicated most of our working and family life to The Three Chimneys, here in the Isle of Skye and we are extremely proud of how the restaurant has developed over the past three decades. This could not have been possible without the support of many wonderful people, who have all worked exceptionally hard to help us build our reputation over the years.

“Together, we’ve taken The Three Chimneys’ biggest business constraint – the restaurant’s remote location – and turned it into a unique selling point. We always knew we had to create a memorable experience which exceeded customer expectations in order to grow the business here.

“We have now reached a point in our lives where we want to travel more and work a little less. Our focus has been on finding the right person who shares our vision for what The Three Chimneys can develop further for the long-term future, and we are extremely pleased to have found that person in Gordon.

“We know The Three Chimneys, The House Over-By and our exceptional team will be in great hands. We are also very proud of the fact that Gordon is so keen to invest his outstanding expertise in this remote, fragile area of the island, knowing he has already fallen in love with our beautiful views and peaceful surroundings here at Colbost.”

Gordon Campbell Gray, founder of Campbell Gray Hotels and The Wee Hotel Company said: “I cannot tell you how privileged I feel to have been given the opportunity to buy somewhere as iconic as The Three Chimneys. I have admired Shirley and Eddie for so many years, and when we were chatting on one occasion and Shirley hinted that perhaps they might consider selling, it was a magical moment.

“I am very flattered that they would allow me take over the reins of their amazing achievement and the simply outstanding team. For the past few years, I have wanted to come home to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve developed across my career. I have been lucky enough to live in and travel to many countries but, at the end of the day, Scotland is simply one of the most stunning countries in the world; the best!

“I am thrilled to be able to invest time and effort here and to work within a hospitality sector which is, and should be, the envy of the world. The Three Chimneys is a simply wonderful place to begin that journey.”

The Three Chimneys has held 3 AA red rosettes for 19 years, and has picked up awards for its wine list and customer service. It was named editor’s choice for the UK restaurant of the year in the 2018 edition of The Good Food Guise and won the 2018 AA award for food service.