A luxury self-catering cottage off Isleornsay, Isle of Skye – is an island islet adventure complete with its own lighthouse. Tracey and Bertie the working cocker spaniel set sail
Approaching the Isle from Boat
The isle is located ‘Over the Sea to Skye’ lying off the south-east coast on the Sound of Sleat and overlooking the knobbly landscape of Knoydart on Scotland’s mainland. Arriving at the pier adjacent to the Eilean Iarmain Hotel on the Isleornsay peninsula, we meet the resident skipper, Gus. My travelling companion, Louise – not a keen sailor – looks only slightly alarmed by the size of the inflatable dingy below the quay. Thankfully, in no time Gus rows off to retrieve a much larger rigid landing craft located in the bay on an anchor buoy. Clad in waterproofs, sturdy footwear and lowering our gear, food and all important whisky (from the distillery shop at Dalwhinnie en-route) onto the craft below. Bertie keenly scampers aboard the boat – eager to follow a brace of bag-for-life groceries to wherever they’re going.
DANG DE DE DANG DANG…
Following a 15-minute Bond-style boat ride, rounding the isle to Eilean Sionnach and our lighthouse. Gaelic speaking Gus runs the craft up onto the sloping hard of the four- acre idyllic isle. I lift Bertie ashore via his harness complete with handy carry handle and cleated long leash. In typical four-x-paw style he scrambles excitedly up the causeway dragging me from our water taxi. I grab my rucksack – advisable as opposed to cabin baggage – and the all important groceries, containing three nights dinner and breakfast for three, including other essentials such as binoculars, wireless, camera and fair-isle woolly.
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