eco self catering hebrides Scotland eco self catering hebrides

eco self catering Hebrides - luxury seaside holiday cottages Skye - sleeps 4

Award-winning, turf-roofed house set in a stunning, private shoreside location with panoramic views over Isle Ornsay's natural harbour, the Sound of Sleat and the magnificent mountains of Kintail and Knoydart beyond.

Where do I start? This is the place to come and unwind, here in the tranquil 'garden of Skye', where sea meets sky, sky meets mountains and even the light has a quality of its own. By the shore of the Sound of Sleat sits The Cabin, making little impact on its stunning environment while offering its guests a quiet luxury combined with practicality, everything you could want to make your stay comfortable, enjoyable and relaxing. Sit quietly by a window, by the glass wall of the living room or on the decking which surrounds the cabin and you will see the otters, dolphins and sea birds whose environment you share. Even when you are inside the cabin, you feel as though you are outside and part of the landscape.

However you choose to spend your time at home, whether it be relaxing by the wood stove with a dram from a local distillery or washing up at the kitchen sink with a view, you have only to glance up to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings and you will soon be drawn to explore what the Misty Isle has to offer. A short walk will take you to the small crofting community of Camuscross, where the Hotel Eilean Iarmain will give you a warm welcome either at the bar or in its à la carte restaurant. If you enjoy walking or even mountaineering, there is no end of choice here and you will find all the guides and maps you need already provided in the lovely, cosy study.

Also in the study is an excellent library which includes books on local myths, history and the famous eighteenth century travel narratives of Samuel Boswell and Ben Johnson. You may feel you want to follow in their footsteps and search for the primitive, wild side of Scotland as well as exploring its culture, antiquities, whisky, language and dress. In that case don't miss out on a visit to the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, where the Gaelic language and culture is kept alive through exhibitions and musical events.

Whatever your inclination, you will never run out of things to do on Skye - sailing, kayaking, riding, fishing, golf - the list goes on. You could explore some of the 350 miles of coastline with its beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs, the small fishing villages or for a more lively atmosphere and shopping, Skye's busy capital, Portree.

At the end of the day it's a pleasure to return to the welcoming haven of the Cabin and watch the sky's changing light. Even after dark, you are still in a room with a view, a view of the huge night sky, seen at its best in unpoluted darkness. You might like to leave your bedroom blinds open so that you can glance out if you happen to wake.