A Serene Stay at The Crofter's House, Isle of Skye

The Crofter’s House has been on my list for SO long. I had actually originally booked a stay in 2020 but it was unfortunately cancelled, so I was super excited to tick it off my list a few weeks ago. The Crofter’s House is nestled on the stunning Isle of Skye and is an idyllic retreat for anyone seeking a quiet escape to the Scottish Highlands. The traditional Scottish croft house provides the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort and is a great base to explore Skye. In this guide, you can find out how to get there, what to expect and nearby hiking spots.

A link to book The Crofter’s House is at the end of the post.

How to Get to The Crofter’s House on the Isle of Skye

We journeyed to the Isle of Skye from London so it was quite a long trip. First, we caught a flight from London to Inverness which took about 1.5 - 1.75 hrs. You can also get the train from London to Inverness but this takes a whole day e.g. the fastest service is around 8 hours. From Inverness, we picked up a rental car (quite a quick process and we used Europcar) and drove straight from Inverness to The Crofter’s House. In total, this took about 3 hours (without a stop) and you can drive directly from mainland Scotland to Skye over Skye Bridge — it’s the most scenic drive.

You can also get a bus from Inverness to Portree, the biggest town on the Isle of Skye. But from here, you’ll need to either pick up a rental car or get a taxi to the house. To make the most of your stay on the island, I’d recommend driving or renting a car.

What to Expect During Your Stay at The Crofter's House

• It sleeps 2 people and there is a 3-night minimum stay unless there is any availability for 1 or 2-nights. We stayed for 4 nights and definitely could have stayed for an extra day or two! Prices start from £175 per night.

• The cottage is a 2-minute walk from Tianavaig Bay which is the perfect spot to sit in the evenings - it’s also a lovely spot for sunset if you get lucky with the weather.

• The interiors and furnishings are thoughtful throughout and create the most serene space for you to relax after a day out exploring the island. There are plenty of books and magazines with inspiration of things to do locally too.

• There is a fully-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, electric oven, hob, fridge freezer, kettle & toaster. There is also a Co-op supermarket in Portree where you can pick up all your groceries for your stay. One thing I’d note was that I was surprised that tea and coffee wasn’t provided so remember to add this to your shopping list!

• There is also a wood-burner for cosy evenings on the sofa by the fire. The host doesn’t supply logs for the stove but you can pick some up from the supermarket. But I would check if the previous guests have left any before buying lots more.

• There is no TV but there is WiFi if you wish to bring a laptop to watch TV or a film on.

• The house is a 10-min drive from Portree, the biggest town on the Isle of Skye. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops and picturesque spots here.

Things to do Near The Crofter’s House, Isle of Skye

You’ll be spoilt for choice with things to do on the Isle of Skye. There are lots of historic landmarks, beautiful hikes and scenic drives along the way. The Crofter’s House provides a collection of local magazines and books in which you can find lots of inspiration for things to do nearby. A few spots that I’d highly recommend and the approximate driving time are:

• Portree (10-15 mins) — we didn’t explore too much of Portree as we spent most of our days hiking. However, we did make a pit stop at Birch Café & Roastery, Gasta restaurant for pizzas, Carmina Gadelica bookshop and wandered around Portree harbour. The harbour is a very lovely spot to wander.

• Sligachan (15-20 mins) — one of the most spots on the island and is a short and scenic drive from the house. It provides a stunning viewpoint for seeing the Black Cuillin mountains. There is also a campsite here which has incredible views.

• Old Man of Storr (30 mins) — one of the most popular hikes on the Isle of Skye but definitely worth a visit. I’d recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon onwards as it’s super busy in the middle of the day which can make it less enjoyable

• Brother’s Point (35-45 mins) — a stunning coastal walk a little bit further north from Old Man of Storr. The hike is relatively easy and with fewer crowds, it’s a peaceful spot.

• The Quiraing (50 mins) — this was one of my favourite spots from the whole trip. The landscape is so vast and iconic, especially on a cloudy day. It’s renowned for its dramatic cliffs and unique rock formations. The hike can be challenging, but the panoramic views are incredibly rewarding. If you don’t have time to fit this in, you can also drive to the car park where you get beautiful views.

• Rubha Hunish (1 hr) — the most northernly point on the Isle of Skye with a dramatic coastline and the famous Lookout Bothy. Also a good spot to see the Northern Lights.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Isle of Skye?

In general, the best time to visit the Isle of Skye is typically between April-June or September and October. These months will likely have smaller crowds (compared to peak summer time) and October will have beautiful autumnal landscapes. Note the weather is still quite unpredictable in Scotland so we were very fortunate to have lots of sunshine!

Are you looking for accommodation in Scotland or places to go in Scotland? Add the Crofter’s House and Isle of Skye to your list! You can book your stay at The Crofter’s House directly via their website here.

I’ll be sharing a full Isle of Skye itinerary soon. In the meantime, you can find lots of travel guides on my blog.

Thanks for reading,

T.

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