The Local Area

Sleat Peninsula

Stonechat Bothy is in Drumfearn, a quiet crofting township on the Sleat peninsula. We are happy to recommend our favourite walks, scenic drives, local activities and places to eat. Stonechat Bothy contains a comprehensive ‘Welcome Folder’ with lots of information, and a book for guests to leave their recommendations and tips for future Bothy guests. Have a read of our Summer 2017 blog post 'Off the beaten track' which includes a few of our favourite local places to explore. We recommend avoiding the most popular tourist spots on the island at peak times. It is easy to find a quiet spot elsewhere to fully enjoy the beauty and peace Skye can offer.

Landscape

Sleat is often referred to as the Garden of Skye due to its relative fertility and good tree cover. There are many miles of coastline to explore with views across the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart, Morar and Lochaber. The drive to the Aird of Sleat at the tip of the peninsula offers stunning views across to Eigg, and the loop road which encompasses Tokavaig is worth driving for impressive views of the Small Isles and the imposing Black Cuillin. Walking, wildlife and photography opportunities abound here. We recommend using the website Walk Highlands to find all the information you need to choose the right walk for you.

 

Entertainment

Sleat is home to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig – Scotland’s Gaelic College. A full entertainment and events programme is held here, many organised by Seall (Scots Trad Music Awards 2015 winner of Venue of the Year). You can check their website here for upcoming events to make sure you don’t miss out when you visit. Their website also features a calendar of local events happening in Sleat, which includes natural history talks and creative workshops, as well as music and entertainment. The Skye Festival Feis an Eilein runs throughout most of July and August. Find out where you can enjoy traditional music in one of our blog posts here We are happy to recommend entertainment for our guests.

Shopping

For general food shopping there are excellent Co-op supermarkets with long opening hours in Broadford, Kyle of Lochalsh, Mallaig and Portree, which ensures you pass a store regardless of which way you approach us. Our fantastic Community Hub near Isle Ornsay, ​An Crubh, is an excellent shop where you will find everyday essentials, tasty treats and locally produced items and is only a 5 minute drive. The newly rebuilt Armadale Stores has fuel, a Post Office and an amazing refill section. There are several lovely independent shops to enjoy around Armadale, perfect to find gifts for loved ones and support our local retailers. There is also a wonderful gift shop, Dearg at Sabhal Mor Ostaig. There are many local artist studios located throughout Sleat. Lenz Pottery in Teangue is one of our favourites. In Broadford there is a beautiful Zero Waste shop The Selkie Collective where you will find locally grown, organic, fresh produce and lovely toiletries as well locally made artisan bread and cakes and a great selection of dried wholefoods. Buth-na-abhain in Broadford is another wee gift shop where you will also find a Post Office.

Eating out

Skye boasts world class restaurants and one is just a stone’s throw from Drumfearn - Lunches, evening meals and High Tea are available at Kinloch Lodge. Winner of numerous awards, we are lucky to have this superb establishment at the end of our road.
The next place to eat is just a few minutes further down the road at the Duisdale House Hotel, itself an award winning, double rosette restaurant that offers lunches and five course fine-dining in the evening. The Duisdale has a sister restaurant at the Toravaig House Hotel near Teangue, just another 5 minutes down the road, again a double rosette and award winner.
For less formal dining head to the restaurant and bar in the Eilean Iarmain Hotel at Isleornsay, with excellent food, drink and atmosphere, all with a roaring open fire. Take the Gaelic Whisky challenge here and enjoy the gin from their own still with stunning views.
The Shed is a tiny takeaway at Armadale Pier with stunning views across the sound. We also highly recommend the food at the cafe in the Community Hub - An Crubh.
There are many cafes in Broadford you won't be short of places to eat out; but do book ahead in the summer season!
The Coffee Bothy is one of our favourites! We enjoy the food at the Hebridean Inn in Broadford. Lean to Coffee at Ashaig is another favourite of ours. If you are travelling between Wildlife Croft Skye and the Skye Bridge stop in here for delicious coffee and delicious baked treats.
For Fish and Chips our favourite is The Fishermans Kitchen in Kyle of Lochalsh.

And another Lochalsh favourite of ours is The Croft Cafe in Diurinish.

If you would like to have photographic memories of your time on Skye we highly recommend ​Penny Hardie. Penny recently photographed us on the croft, a gift from our friends, and we were amazed by the photos! I haven't slept in over a year and thought I would not enjoy the experience or seeing the photos, but Penny was so great. It was really chilled. Without brushing our hair or washing our faces Penny made us look so good! I want her to come back again. I'll love these photos forever.

Ancestry and History

The Clan Donald Centre in Sleat is home to the the ruined Armadale Castle, and here visitors can explore the Museum of the Isles (closed in 2022) and enjoy 40 acres of gardens and walks. Dunscaith Castle, a 14th century ruin at Tokavaig, is also close by in South Skye and only a short walk from the road. Knock Castle is another ruin you can take a short walk to by the new distillery at Torabhaig. Skye and Lochalsh has a wealth of historical sites to explore including the famous Eilean Donan Castle (pictured) and Dunvegan Castle.

Amenities

There are Post Offices at An Crubh, Armadale Stores and Broadford (Buth na h-Abhainn). Fuel is available at Armadale, from the community run petrol station. Fuel is also available 24 hours at the Co-op in Broadford just a 15 minute drive away. ATMs can be found at Co-op and Buth na h-Abhainn in Broadford.