Sleeps up to 8
There’s a magical feel about the journey to Eilean Sionnach (Gaelic for ‘Island of the Fox’).
The journey begins with a short boat ride from the pier at Isle Ornsay, and as you search for wildlife in the water, the lighthouse comes into view surrounded by the backdrop of the unspoilt Highland landscape.
As you step off the boat and arrive at the former lighthouse keeper’s cottage, you’ll begin to feel yourself falling into a slower, more mindful pace of life that will prove irresistible before long.
The cottage has a cosy style and the warm-toned décor perfectly complements its atmospheric surroundings. Sleeping eight guests and as many dogs as they have between them, the cottage feels like your very own private retreat.
Cosy up together in the lounge, as you prepare a round of steaming drinks, fire up the wood-burning stove, and gaze out of the windows, with views down the Sound of Sleat and over to Knoydart on the mainland.
There’s superfast broadband throughout, underfloor heating in the stylish ensuite bathrooms and the kitchen and the kitchen is also equipped with a SMEG range cooker, a microwave, and an American-style fridge. So although in the days of the old lighthouse keepers life was hard, nowadays, you have modern conveniences and luxuries to hand.
For dining options, visit the local pub, one of three excellent local hotel restaurants or even arrange for the services of a private chef, who will ‘pre-prepare’ meals and deliver them for you to assemble (due to Covid-19 restrictions he’s currently unable to cook for you on site).
When it’s time to turn in, choose from four luxurious bedrooms, all with king-sized beds (although the fourth room can either be a single or pull out into a king as required, as it’s a little less spacious than the other three).
Each en-suite room is beautifully furnished and dressed with comfort in mind, with memory foam mattresses and high-quality ‘Soak and Sleep’ bedding… perfect for lazy lie-ins, or sinking into after a long day on the water or in the hills.
The master bedroom comes complete with a romantic roll top bath, and idyllic ocean views –the perfect place to enjoy a glass of bubbles!
The Sleat Peninsula – otherwise known as the ‘Garden of Skye’ – offers an off the beaten track experience of the local area. The Property Manager can point you in the right direction if you’d like a local guide to take you wild swimming, kayaking, on a luxury tour of the area or to do a spot of wildlife watching.
If established attractions are more your thing, there’s plenty to see and do within an hour of Isle Ornsay, including the enchanting Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle, and the Old Man of Storr, which doubled as the film set for the BFG’s Land of the Giants. If you’re up for travelling slightly further afield, why not pop over to Mallaig, and take a ride on the famous Harry Potter train?
Our top tip would be – instead of the ‘Fairy Pools’ why not check out where the locals go and visit the ‘Torrin Pools’ instead? To be found near Torrin of course (ask the locals for the secret location).
After a long day exploring, return home to the cottage, pour a wee dram, and light the wood-burning stove – and relax with a good book or your favourite music.
Things to note
Arrive from 3pm, depart by 10am. Pets are very welcome, though you are fully responsible for keeping them under control around the island’s free-roaming livestock. Minimum stay of 3 nights from September to the end of March, and 2 nights from April to September.
