Skye is a savagely beautiful, culturally rich island – but its truest rewards lie away from the main visitor hotspots. With this in mind, here are some of our top recommendations for things to do. We’re always happy to share more tips – we’ve got plenty!

Walk at Leitir Fura

This glorious, 7.5km woodland walk begins just a five-minute drive from the bothy, with views across Isleornsay and the Sound of Sleat towards the dramatic hills of the Knoydart Peninsula. Expect native broadleaf forest and a variety of birds and butterflies, as well as a cleared village – with interpretation board – halfway around the loop.

The Sprig
Broadford is the nearest village to Stonechat Bothy (it’s easily reached in less than 15 minutes), and one of its newest, brightest attractions is The Sprig, an inventive, high-quality restaurant offering prime local ingredients, world-class whiskies, delicious cocktails and a warm island welcome.

Lenz Ceramics
Experienced potter Kat Lenz plies her trade at this beautiful pottery in Sleat, where you’ll find gorgeously crafted bowls, plates and other stoneware. The praise that comes her way is well warranted – you’ll find her mugs all over the island, even in Stonechat Bothy.

Isleornsay
The village of Isleornsay – which overlooks, but isn’t actually on, the little island of Ornsay – sits a mere ten-minute drive from the Bothy. Make the trip here for the Eilean Iarmain Hotel, which incorporates the wood-panelled Am Prabàn Bar and excellent art exhibitions at Gallery An Talla Dearg.

The Selkie Collective
Another of Broadford’s under-the-radar gems is this zero-waste shop, the ideal outlet for picking up sustainable goods and souvenirs that you’d struggle to find elsewhere. Beauty products, letter-writing sets and creative homewares are all on sale.

Lean To Coffee
Operating out an old shipping container on a family croft, in the small nearby township of Ashaig, this independent coffee takeaway serves up island-roasted coffee alongside all manner of other treats, from breakfast bowls and honey-soaked sticky chai to organic cakes and fresh toasties.

The Misty Bottle Shop
This tiny wee store occupies what was once a bank, then a post office, and is now filled to the brim with Scottish beers, whiskies and gins. It’s nice and close to Lean To Coffee.

Torabhaig Distillery
Fully operational since 2017 – making it the only the second ever licensed single malt producer on the island – this pretty distillery is located here in Sleat with a cafe, shop and tours. Its Allt Gleann single malt is smoky, compelling and well worth investigating.

Boat trips
Getting out on the water is one of our top tips. Over at Elgol, book a voyage with Bella Jane Boat Trips to head out to Loch Coruisk amid sensational coastal scenery, or join AquaXplore for a wildlife-filled adventure out to Canna. Up in Stein, meanwhile, Divers Eye Boat Trips offer natural thrills of their own – and you can visit the Stein Inn, Skye Weavers and sheepskin specialists Skyeskyns at the same time, stopping at Bog Myrtle café on your return home to the bothy.

Do nothing and everything
Many of our guests find themselves lingering at the bothy, whether the weather’s dreich or sun-drenched. Write, read, paint, nap, birdwatch, delve into the bookshelves, get the fire going, cook some food, get cosy on the sofa in front of a film or simply relish the peace and quiet – the choice, as ever, is yours.