The beautiful Isle of Skye, with its majestic Cuillin hills and superb coastline has long been one of Scotland's favourite holiday destinations. While there's still plenty of room for everyone, the island's popularity does make it a little more difficult to 'get away from it all'. How many people, driving up the island from Broadford to Portree, have looked across the water to the big, rugged and apparently empty Isle of Scalpay across the narrow inlet, where just one wee white cottage can be seen, and thought 'Now that really would be an escapist's paradise. I wonder how you get over there.'
Well, the good news is that it is and you can! In addition to the lonely white cottage on the Sound, there is, tucked away at the southernmost end of the island, the owners' house and, two quite beautifully modernised and restored traditional cottages which are now available for holiday lets.
Keeper's Cottage is reached by about 1/3 miles of track from the main house and has a fabulous situation on a promontory just 20 metres from the sea and with panoramic views across the bay towards the Applecross peninsula on the mainland and Skye itself. On one side, there is the foreshore, (where otters can sometimes be seen playing outside the house) and on the other a sheltered grass garden where children can play in safety. Spacious, light and most beautifully appointed to the very highest standards, it is full of character, with pine beams, a wood burning stove in the sitting room, electric night store heating and a conservatory so that you can enjoy the views and glorious sunsets even when, as sometimes happens in this part of the world, the weather is less than baking hot.
There are three bedrooms, one en suite, the kitchen is very well equipped, the dining room has French doors to the garden and there is also a cloakroom/drying room for muddy boots and coats. The owners really have tried to think of everything in its recent refurbishment.
The entire island awaits your exploration, with wonderful opportunities for fishing, boating, walking, wildlife watching, photography, painting and simply relaxing in such heavenly surroundings. Stalking can be arranged in season. If you decide to explore on foot, the island is extensive enough to make it unlikely you will meet another soul in a day's walking. It has four lochans, where guests are welcome to fly fish for brown trout. Boat trips can be arranged with the boatman so you can visit the neighbouring islands or, when the tide is out, picnic on the white sands of Sandy Bay. He will also take you over to 'mainland Skye' if you wish, so you can discover what makes this romantic island so special.
Scalpay is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or simply a relaxing holiday where everyday cares can be completely forgotten, as you drink in the peace and beauty of the place.
Bed linen, towels, the first £15 of electricity and the private ferry on your arrival and final departure from the island are all INCLUDED in the rental. Well behaved pets are welcome by arrangement but owners should be aware that there are sheep on the island (sometimes very close to the cottage) so they should be kept under careful control..
