In those days, there was an inn here so that the farmers could get a bite to eat along the way, and it is likely that it got very busy. Towards the end of the 1800s, Skalstugan was purchased by an English man called Tom Nickalls via a Norwegian front man. He commissioned the building of Jaktvillan (the hunting lodge) which thus dates back to the 1800s. Tom Nickalls visited during the summers to hunt and pick berries. The family brought both their own servants and their own orchestra with them.
Enticed by the fabulous hunting possibilities, Skalstugan was purchased in 1902 by the Wallenberg family. During the second world war, the premises were requisitioned for military use and the buildings were heavily worn down over the years. It was renovated between 1945 and 1947 and Wallenberg donated the entire place to the employees of SEB, the bank owned by the family at the time. The premises were placed into a trust and started to be run as a guest house, primarily for the employees of SEB, but also for other guests thereafter.
Today, Lisa Lindblom is the manager of Skalstugan. She explains that it’s not that easy for pilgrims to get space due to the ownership, but it is possible, and bookings can be made four weeks before arrival.
– A lot of people ask to be put on the waiting list, and we are often fully booked every day in summer. But, it’s always worth contacting us to ask. We might have had a cancellation which means we can accept a last-minute drop-in, says Lisa.
Nowadays, Skalstugan only offers full-board accommodation. Guests are served a three-course dinner, a large breakfast buffet and they can make a packed lunch. It’s a cosy place offering genuine guest house bedrooms with old tapestries. It dates back to the 60s, none of the beds are bunkbeds and all have blankets and a bedspread. There are two, three and five-bed rooms. Showers and toilets are located along the corridor.
– We encourage our guests to come early or stay for a while longer on day two. We want people to experience the nature and surroundings. Perhaps have a long shower and a sauna, borrow a bike or a boat. We would really like people to feel like Skalstugan is an oasis along the route.
