Eilean Sionnach

Rest your weary heads in a dreamy lighthouse cottage, blissfully cast away on a soul-soothing private island off the rugged Isle of Skye.

There's a distinctly magical ‘time travelling' feel about the journey to Eilean Sionnach (Gaelic for ‘Island of the Fox'), which was  featured on Channel 4's series on Extraordinary Escapes in the UK.

You'll want to savour every windswept second of your short boat ride from the pier at Isle Ornsay, as you watch the lighthouse swim into view over the unspoilt, rugged landscape.  

As you step off the boat and into your gloriously unique, former lighthouse keeper's cottage, you'll be greeted by a slower, more refreshing pace of life that will surely prove irresistible before long!

Sleeping up to eight lucky guests (and their well-behaved dogs), the cottage's cosy style and warm-toned décor perfectly complements its atmospheric surroundings. Snuggle together in the lounge, as you prepare a round of steaming drinks, fire up the wood-burning stove, and gaze out of the windows towards the Sound of Sleat.  

If you were expecting sparse luxury, to go with the cottage's revitalising back-in-time feel, think again. Not only is there superfast broadband throughout, you'll also find the kitchen gainfully equipped with a SMEG range cooker, a microwave, and an American-style fridge... so that when you break bread at the dining table, it'll be over a feast worthy of such an amazing holiday.  

(You can visit the local pub, or even arrange for the services of a private chef, if you'd rather sit back and let someone else do the cooking.)

When it's time to turn in, choose from four sumptuous bedrooms; three kingsize and one daybed which converts to a kingsize bed. Each en-suite room is beautifully furnished for maximum comfort, with memory foam mattresses and high-quality bedding... perfect for lazy lie-ins, or sinking into after a long day of local exploring.  

Oh, and the master bedroom comes complete with a romantic roll top bath, and idyllic ocean views (translation: this could be the one to stake your claim on first!)

After a hearty breakfast, why not get to know your island and its surroundings a little better? You could start with a wildlife-watching expedition on the hill, or collecting shells along the shoreline. The Sleat Peninsula - otherwise known as the ‘Garden of Skye' - offers a refreshing, off the beaten track experience of the local area.

But if established attractions are more your thing, there's plenty to see and do within an hour of Isle Ornsay, including the enchanting Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle, and the Old Man of Storr, which doubled as the film set for the BFG's Land of the Giants. If you're up for travelling slightly further afield, why not pop over to Mallaig, and take a ride on the famous Harry Potter train?

Whatever you decide to occupy your time with, nothing will beat that heart-warming feeling of returning home to your cosy cottage, pouring a wee dram, and lighting the wood-burning stove to the soothing sounds of the sea.

Things to note

Arrive from 3pm, depart by 10am. Pets are very welcome, though you are fully responsible for keeping them under control around the island's free-roaming livestock. Minimum stay of 3 nights from September to the end of March, and 2 nights from April to September.