Gillean House  Featured

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Skye Cottages; amazing places to stay on this most special Scottish island.

Refurbished 200-year-old waterside croft house on Skye with stunning mountain and sea views. Sleeping up to six in comfort in three bedrooms, this is the perfect place to stay when exploring ‘Garden of Skye’ the beautiful Sleat peninsula.

One of the Best Views in Skye!

I hate mornings, so it’s not very often I get excited about anything before 9am. But gazing out the window with the sea gently lapping the rugged coastline just meters away and the jagged Cuillin mountains providing the most iconic breakfast setting, it was hard not to feel transfixed. Welcome to Gillean House on the Sleat Peninsula on the magical isle of Skye.

While Skye is definitely no secret, with some parts of the island struggling with its popularity in the summer months, the Sleat peninsula is a Scottish fairytale in miniature. It’s known as the ‘garden of Skye’ with lovely woodland and some stunning gardens, and the best thing? It seems to have been a bit forgotten, and it’s certainly not overrun with visitors. Stunning mountain and coastal scenery, ancient castles, rocky coves and empty beaches and even a distillery, make it one of Skye’s most underrated spots and Gillean house is the perfect base to explore.

Skye Cottages; Stylish and Sympathetic Renovation

Built in the early 1800s, the house is so historic it’s featured in the nearby Armadale Museum. Known for its many ceilidhs and dancing over the years, however, these days the closest thing to a jig is a run through the private garden from the beach after braving the sea with a spot of wild swimming. But not to worry, Gillean house boasts a massive corner bath to warm up in.

The helpful and friendly owners have maintained the house’s traditional crofting charm in their recent refurbishment, while creating some modern comfort with cosy and comfortable interiors, including a 50-inch monster TV complete with streaming services. The Wi-Fi is decent too. The house is perfect for families and small groups, with space for six guests in the two king-size bedrooms and one twin bedded room.

Cosy and Comfortable Interiors

The house is very comfortable with all you need for a relaxing self-catering holiday. It has a spacious kitchen fully-equipped with a range stove, oven, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher and breakfast bar – as well as a quaint dining room with a cosy wood-burning stove.

There’s a good-sized downstairs bathroom with corner bath and a large utility room with laundry facilities for hanging up wet gear (it can sometimes rain on Skye). The lounge is a charming space with sea views, two large sofas, delightful maps and prints and huge TV with the usual streaming services available. Throughout the house, the décor and finishings are stylish.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms with king beds and another twin-bedded room, along with a good-sized bathroom with shower and Highland Soap Company products, a really nice touch. Two of the bedrooms have sea views too!

On top of easy access to the beach, there is also an outdoor eating area in the charming garden to take in the Cuillin mountain and sea views during the warmer summer months. In autumn and winter its a fantastic place to look at the skies, as there is little light pollution. You might even be lucky and spot the Northern Lights!

Due to its remote, and slightly otherworldly location along a twisty singe track road, the house is not located within a village, so it is important guests bring their own provisions. The nearest shop is located 15 minutes away in Armadale and offers basic provisions. Larger shops are located in Broadford, a 40-minute drive away. The nearest cafes and restaurants are also a 15–20-minute drive from the house.

Stunning Mountain and Coastal Scenery

It’s hard to articulate just how ethereal the Sleat Peninsula feels, and Gillean House’s biggest draw is undoubtedly its amazing location and breath-taking views. Sleat might be the best place you’ve never heard of. Follow the winding coastal single-track road and you’ll pass epic views out to the Small Isles of Eigg and Rum, as well as the Knoydart peninsula, before turning a corner to find the ruins of Dunscaith Castle, which is a great short walk.

Alternatively, if you’re after something a bit longer, the Point of Sleat Walk takes two and a half hours to reach the southernmost point on Skye for more insane views. It’s incredible how many holiday activities you can tick off the bucket list. Twenty minutes up the road lies the new Torabhaig Distillery, the second distillery of whisky on the island, offering tours if you fancy sampling a dram. For outdoor enthusiasts, what better way to explore the peninsula than paddle in hand. South Skye Sea Kayak offers guided full-day and half-day trips.

One of the best Skye cottages we have stayed in. Gillean House is the perfect island retreat for those looking to explore ‘the garden of Skye’, one of the quieter areas of Skye. Alternatively, Gillean House is the perfect place to do nothing, relax, unwind and take in the spectacular scenery as you slow to the rhythm of the peninsula’s tides.

Perfect Days

Get your boots on and go for a local walk: there are plenty of local options. Take the short walk along the coast to the ruins of the 13^th century Dùn Scaith Castle. The original seat of the MacDonald’s in Skye. Park at Tokavaig Bay and enjoy the magnificent views of the Cuillins and Bla Bheinn mountains.

Go for lunch at iconic Eilean Iarmain Hotel and Am Praban pub/bar with its acclaimed selection of fresh local seafood and traditional Gaelic whiskies

Enjoy a potter along the shore, go roc-pooling  or even have a swim in the sheltered bay in front of the house. Look out for oyster catchers and herons.

Bring binoculars are there’s some fantastic wildlife in the area, at dusk look out for otters.

This area offers access for experienced hillwalkers to some of the most iconic mountains in Scotland: the mighty Cuillin ridge and Red Cuillins. A bit more accessible is the Old Man of Storr or a walk around the mysterious Quirang in the northern part of the Island.

Discover the less popular delights of Skye: hidden swimming coves, empty beaches, walking trails, and even kayaking. The house has a good selection of guidebooks and maps to help you plan.

Go for a drive and explore the capital of Skye, Portree. Full of charming independent shops, places to eat and boat trips. It’s just over an hour’s drive away.

If you’re interested in whisky, the water of life, then take a tour, the recently opened Torabhaig Distillery is about 20 mins away or head for the iconic Tallisker Distillery.

Explore the nearby Armadale Castle Gardens. These popular gardens are set in the gulfstream and have a superb range of plants, some good walks and a nice café.

Enjoy delicious home baking and fantastic coffee at the community hub, ‘An Crubh’,

Have a budget blow out and enjoy some fine dining at one of most special restaurants in Skye – Kinloch Lodge or Duisdale Hotel.

The Best Skye Cottages