Cool Place of the Day: Skye Shepherds Huts, Scotland

Every day, a new place to discover or explore from coolplaces.co.uk

Martin Dunford
Monday 11 July 2016 17:08 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Skye Shepherds Huts, Skye, Scotland

It only seems fair that to discover a country’s most breathtaking scenery you’re sometimes required to trek right to its remote, outer edge, where turbulent seas and moody skies mould masterpieces of geology. This is certainly true of Skye, whose feathery peninsulas and battered cliffs give way to inland dramatic mountain ranges and boggy peat moors. It’s the sort of place that reminds you just how beautiful and wild the natural world can be.

Bang in middle of all this, Janet Ward's Skye Shepherd Huts enjoy a truly wonderful sense of isolation, and starry nights that the rest of the UK simply can’t compete with. There are just two huts on the site, and Janet does everything she can to make a stay here truly special, arranging a time that’s convenient for breakfast and appearing with a tray laden down by whatever selection of goodies you’ve chosen from the menu – including porridge with Talkisker whiskey, eggs from her own hens, local organic sausages and bacon, Stornaway black pudding and more. Janet’s home is really just an extension of the campsite: the shower and toilet are in the hallway of her house, just a scamper down the white pebble path from your hut, and her barbecue is available to use if you want. Each of the huts sleeps two in a double bed; they have hot water and electricity and drying facilities, and there's an extra toilet in the summerhouse.

For outdoor enthusiasts this really is paradise. Walking routes range from easy ambles along the coast, to challenging scrambles among the menacing Cuillin range, while mountain-biking and sea-kayaking are just beyond your doorstep. Dog-owners are also in luck – Janet loves dogs and welcomes them just as much as any human and will even offer to dog-sit if you fancy heading out for dinner. Which with the excellent Michelin-starred Three Chimneys not far away, you might just want to do!

Cool Places is a website from the creators of Rough Guides and Cool Camping, suggesting the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop in Britain (coolplaces.co.uk)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in