From intensive care nursing and commercial law to award-winning hospitality and tourism leadership, Clare Winskill’s career journey is anything but conventional. Yet, as she explains, a commitment to people, service and community has been the constant thread throughout her professional life.
As owner of Coruisk House in Elgol on the Isle of Skye, Clare has spent more than a decade building one of Scotland’s most distinctive luxury hospitality destinations, earning national recognition for both accommodation and dining excellence. Beyond her work at Coruisk House, she also serves as Executive Chair of the North Coast 500, playing a leading role in shaping the future of tourism across the Highlands.
In this exclusive interview, Clare reflects on the experiences that have defined her career, the realities of operating a luxury hospitality business in one of Scotland’s most remote and spectacular locations, and her vision for a tourism industry that delivers lasting benefits for visitors, businesses and local communities alike. From regenerative tourism and destination stewardship to authentic Highland hospitality, she shares candid insights into the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities facing Scottish tourism today.
At the heart of the conversation lies a deep passion for the Highlands and Islands, a passion that continues to inspire her work, both at Coruisk House and across Scotland’s visitor economy.
Your career path has taken you from nursing and law to hospitality and tourism leadership. What inspired that transition, and what lessons from your previous careers still influence your approach today?
At first glance the journey from intensive care nursing and commercial law to hospitality may appear unusual, but there is a common thread running through all three professions: people. Nursing taught me empathy, resilience and the importance of remaining calm under pressure. Law taught me strategic thinking, negotiation and the value of rigorous analysis. Hospitality brings all of those skills together.
My love affair with the Highlands started in my grandparents home in Nedd, Assynt. I made it my life’s ambition to move to the Highlands from a very young age. I fell in love with Coruisk House and the extraordinary landscape surrounding it. What began as a lifestyle change became a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and, over time, a commitment to supporting the wider visitor economy. The lessons from my earlier careers continue to influence me every day. Whether dealing with guests, staff, suppliers or policy makers, success ultimately depends on understanding people, being interested in people and what motivates them, and building trust.
Looking back over your journey, what has been the most defining moment in your professional career?
There have been many important milestones, but purchasing Coruisk House was undoubtedly the most transformative. It represented a complete change of direction and required me to step outside my comfort zone entirely. It was both a personal and professional leap of faith.
More recently, being entrusted with the role of Executive Chair of North Coast 500 Ltd has been hugely significant. It has given me the opportunity to contribute to conversations about the future of tourism across the Highlands, the North Highlands in particular and to help ensure that tourism delivers benefits for communities as well as visitors.
You have spent more than a decade shaping Coruisk House into one of Skye’s most distinctive hospitality destinations. What was your original vision for the property, and how has that vision evolved?
My original vision was relatively simple: to create a place where guests could experience genuine Highland hospitality in one of Scotland’s most spectacular locations. I wanted to transform Coruisk House into a welcoming home that could be shared with visitors from all over the world – as well as from the UK.
Over time that vision has evolved into something more refined. Today we focus on providing a highly personalised experience that reflects the character of Elgol, Skye and the Highlands. I want guests to feel connected to the people, the landscape, and the culture; the elements that make this place so special. Luxury for us is not about formality; it is about tailoring our welcome to each guest, about authenticity, attention to detail and creating memorable experiences.
Coruisk House has recently achieved an AA 4-Star Restaurant with Rooms rating and an AA Rosette. What does this recognition mean to you and your team?
The recognition is enormously rewarding because it reflects the dedication and professionalism of our entire team. Achieving high standards consistently in a remote location requires commitment from everyone involved.
Awards are never the goal in themselves, but they provide reassurance that the quality and care we strive to deliver every day is being recognised by respected independent assessors. We are incredibly proud of what our small but dedicated team has achieved.
What can guests expect when they stay at Coruisk House?
Guests can expect a peaceful retreat in one of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of Scotland. They will experience warm hospitality, exceptional food, comfortable accommodation and personalised service.
Most importantly, they will experience a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s watching the light change across the Cuillin mountains, enjoying locally sourced produce at dinner or taking a boat trip across Loch Scavaig to Loch Coruisk, we want every stay to feel uniquely connected to Skye.
Coruisk House is known for its intimate scale and personalised guest experience. How do you maintain those high standards while operating with a relatively small team?
A smaller team can actually be an advantage because it allows us to build strong relationships with our guests. Everyone understands the standards we aspire to and takes ownership of the guest experience.
Communication and shared values are critical. All of us at Coruisk House genuinely care about our guests. I am very lucky that my team has a great desire to offer our guests the very best experience possible in our beautiful corner of Skye.
Running a luxury hospitality business in a remote location such as Elgol presents unique challenges. What have been some of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced as an owner?
Remoteness affects every aspect of the business, from recruitment and logistics to infrastructure and weather-related disruption. There are times when deliveries are delayed, trying to find tradespeople virtually impossible and services that are taken for granted elsewhere become more complicated.
The challenge is to anticipate those issues and build resilience into the business. Operating in a remote community teaches you to be adaptable, resourceful and patient.
Recruitment and staff retention remain major issues across the hospitality industry. How do these challenges differ in a rural and island setting, and how have you addressed them?
The challenges are significantly amplified in rural areas because housing availability is often the single biggest barrier to recruitment. Attracting talented people is difficult if they cannot find somewhere affordable to live.
The industry and government need to recognise that workforce and housing policy are increasingly interconnected. For our business it was key that we made sure our key employees had year round employment contracts. It is the only way to retain talent so that employees can afford to rent or buy a home.
Logistics, supply chains and seasonality can be particularly demanding in the Highlands and Islands. How do you balance maintaining exceptional standards while managing these operational realities?
Planning is essential. We work closely with suppliers, build strong relationships and maintain flexibility wherever possible. We also embrace seasonality rather than viewing it as a limitation.
Scotland’s natural larder changes throughout the year and that creates opportunities to offer guests something authentic and distinctive. Rather than trying to replicate the same experience year-round, we celebrate what each season has to offer. Our dinner menus change daily, using the best ingredients we can find as close to Coruisk House as possible.
What has been the most difficult decision you’ve had to make as the owner of Coruisk House, and what did it teach you?
Like many hospitality businesses, navigating the Covid pandemic required some extremely difficult decisions. The uncertainty was unprecedented and there were no obvious answers.
What it taught me was the importance of resilience, adaptability and clear communication. It also reinforced the value of strong relationships with guests, staff, suppliers, and the local community. We were supported by pur guests, most of home deferred their reservations rather than cancelling. It enabled us to survive.
Many guests only see the finished experience. What are some of the behind-the-scenes challenges involved in delivering luxury hospitality on the Isle of Skye?
Luxury hospitality relies on countless details that guests rarely see. From sourcing high-quality ingredients and maintaining infrastructure to managing staffing and logistics, there is a great deal happening behind the scenes.
The challenge is ensuring all of those moving parts come together seamlessly so guests can simply relax and enjoy their stay.
Coruisk House is celebrated for showcasing local ingredients and independent producers. Why is supporting local suppliers so important to your hospitality philosophy?
Supporting local suppliers strengthens the entire regional economy. It keeps value within communities, reduces food miles and helps preserve traditional skills and knowledge. The local ingredients that arrive fresh to our door are the most delicious!
It also results in a better guest experience because visitors increasingly want authentic connections with the places they visit. Local produce tells the story of the landscape and the people who live here.
How do you create an authentic sense of place for guests while ensuring a luxury experience that appeals to an international audience?
Authenticity and luxury are not mutually exclusive. In fact, many modern travellers are seeking experiences that feel genuine rather than generic.
We focus on sharing the character of Elgol and Skye — the landscapes, culture, food and stories—while delivering high standards of comfort and service. Guests travel from around the world precisely because they want to experience something unique.
Sustainability is increasingly important to travellers. What does responsible tourism mean to you, both at Coruisk House and across the wider tourism industry?
Responsible tourism means recognising that destinations are not simply products to be consumed. They are living communities and environments that need to thrive year round.
At Coruisk House it means operating thoughtfully, supporting local businesses and minimising our environmental impact. More broadly, it means ensuring tourism creates positive outcomes for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
As Executive Chair of North Coast 500 Ltd, how have you seen the route evolve since its launch?
The NC500 has matured significantly. It has moved beyond being simply a driving route and has become a catalyst for wider investment, business development and destination management across the Highlands.
There is now greater recognition that success should be measured not only by visitor numbers but by visitor value, visitor behaviour and community benefit.
The NC500 has transformed tourism across the Highlands, but it has also sparked debate. How do you balance economic opportunity with protecting communities and landscapes?
Tourism must work for the people who live in destinations as well as those who visit them. That means investing in infrastructure, encouraging responsible visitor behaviour and ensuring communities have a voice in tourism planning.
The objective is not growth at any cost. It is sustainable, managed growth that delivers long-term benefits while protecting the landscapes and communities that make the Highlands so special.
What role do you believe regenerative tourism will play in shaping the future of Scotland’s visitor economy?
I believe regenerative tourism will become increasingly important. Sustainability focuses on reducing negative impacts; regenerative tourism goes further by actively improving places – primarily for those that live here, as well as our visitors of course.
That could mean restoring habitats, supporting cultural heritage, strengthening local economies or creating opportunities for communities. The future lies in ensuring tourism makes better destinations and improves the quality of life for host communities.
What are the biggest opportunities and challenges currently facing Scottish tourism?
Scotland has an extraordinary international reputation and growing demand for authentic, high-quality experiences. That presents enormous opportunities.
The challenges include infrastructure, housing, workforce availability and ensuring tourism policy is evidence-based and supports value driven competitiveness. Getting that balance right will be critical to future success.
What continues to motivate and inspire you after so many years working within hospitality and tourism?
The people. Every day brings new guests, new conversations and new opportunities to share the places I love in the Highlands.
I am also motivated by the chance to contribute to the future of tourism in Scotland and to help ensure rural communities can thrive economically while retaining their distinct character.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring hospitality entrepreneurs looking to build a destination-led business, what would it be?
Start with the destination and the people rather than the business model. Understand what makes a place unique and build your offer around that authenticity.
The strongest hospitality businesses are those that create meaningful connections between visitors and place.
What are your ambitions for Coruisk House over the next five years?
Our ambition is to continue refining what we do rather than dramatically expanding. We want to build on our reputation for exceptional hospitality, deepen our connections with local producers and continue offering experiences that are distinctive, sustainable and memorable.
What excites you most about the future of tourism in Scotland?
Scotland is increasingly recognised as a destination for quality rather than quantity. There is growing interest in nature, culture, food and meaningful travel experiences, all of which align with Scotland’s strengths.
That creates an opportunity to develop a visitor economy that is both economically successful and environmentally responsible.
Finally, when you’re not working, where do you go to unwind and enjoy everything that Skye has to offer?
One of the great privileges of living in Elgol is having extraordinary landscapes on our doorstep. I enjoy spending time outdoors, walking my dogs, and simply appreciating the changing moods of the Cuillin.
Even after all these years, Skye continues to surprise and inspire me. That sense of wonder is something I never take for granted.
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