Emma Brown travels to the stunning Isle of Skye, where she experiences all weathers during a short, but memorable stay.
Daisy Outside the Accomodation
It seems clichéd to say theof Skye is ‘magical’ and ‘breathtaking’, but it truly is. My husband Phil and I, accompanied by our dog Daisy, made the trip in April, a gorgeous drive through Glencoe and the Highlands. Crossing the Skye bridge, we headed for Sligachan, a great stop, with easy parking for amazing views of the Cuillin Mountains and the river Sligachan flowing by. Hidden Scotland states the river has been enchanted by fairies, and to dip our faces in it for seven seconds for eternal beauty. We decided not to; Daisy also opted out, but we did see a few people bravely securing eternal beauty. We walked beneath the Cuillins where Daisy could go off lead, before having a tasty soup and fish and chips at Seamus’Bar at the Sligachan Hotel, where the menu suggests a whisky pairing for each dish. The pub was a finalist for Whisky Bar of the Year 2025. Staff were welcoming, finding a table with space for Daisy and providing treats and water. Fed and walked, we made our way north on the island to our beautiful accommodation in Uig. Mable’s Cottage is owned by dog owners and designed for dog owners, with no limit on the number of canine guests. The owners take pride in the personal touch. Booking takes place directly through the owners so they can build a rapport with you and find out more about your dogs. This means, for instance, they can leave out the correct sized bed. Communication was great, including instructions on how to get there using navigation apps, contact numbers and recommendations. The owners also give you a call the first night you check in.
Sitting Room at Mable Cottage
Mable’s Cottage is full of character, from the dog and Skye decor, to bookshelves stacked with books and board games. A thoughtful welcome hamper greeted us, including various treats, balls, poo bags and a new toy for Daisy. We were equally delighted with our Scottish-themed snacks, Prosecco, milk for the tea, and a Mable’s Cottage chocolate bar. The country-style kitchen was refreshed this year and was lovely to cook in with everything we needed. You name it, Mable’s Cottage has it. Examples include a stocked larder, useful contacts like vets and taxis,a baby gate and modern technology like Sky and Alexa. For the dogs: bowls, tick removers, cooling mat (not needed this time), towels, rain jackets and beds in varying sizes. Before visiting, I had clarified if there were restrictions for Daisy. The owners really want your dogs to enjoy their holiday too, with no do’s or don’ts, and whatever Daisy did at home she could do at Mable’s Cottage. This included being left alone if needed, and a supply of blankets to cover the couch. The owners just ask that you clean up after your dog. There is also a large enclosed garden, with seating areas, a summer house and bird feeders strategically placed near windows; we were delighted to see plenty of birds using them. I supervised Daisy in the garden as there were sheep in neighbouring fields, and to prevent her helping herself to bird food. The highlight for us all was the wood burner, just what you want after a day exploring the island in mixed weather. The cottage is well located, just a few minutes from the Fairy Glen, a unique landscape with unusual dome-shaped hills, it felt like we were in another world.
Rha Waterfalls
Another local walk in Uig was the short walk to Rha Waterfalls, which were in full flow. We saw all seasons, including plenty of sunshine, and even woke up to snow one morning. Usually we embrace the saying ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing’, but we admitted defeat on walking the Fairy Pools due to the combination of sideways rain and wind. Instead we visited nearby Talisker Bay (near the whisky distillery) and were treated to a fabulous waterfall complete with the wind blowing the water back up the cliff. The path cuts through farmland so Daisy was on a lead here. Afterwards we had lunch at The Old Inn Carbost with beautiful views, and a log burner which Daisy enjoyed drying off in front of. The waitress advise they often have home-made dog biscuits but had run out. And, if you like beer, this pub is CAMRA recommended. Phil and I both enjoyed ourbaked potatoes with haggis and whisky sauce. We also dined at the Uig Hotel, close to Mable’s Cottage. The food was delicious, and our table had a gorgeous view of the harbour at sunset. Another evening we enjoyed Gasta in Portree for pizzas. I always love it when dog friendly restaurants have high quality food too.
Sligachan Walk
On our final day, we drove around the north, stopping for views and waterfalls, and a play on An Corran beach, where we went hunting for dinosaur footprints. The beach was stunning, and it was a great place for Daisy to blow off some steam. We stopped in the town of Portree ,with its colourful houses, for lunch at Cafe Arriba. Being a Sunday, some shops were closed but we did venture into one or two with Daisy. Saying goodbye to Mable’s Cottage, somewhere that really welcomed us with Daisy, not just tolerated dog owners, we reflected on our adventures on Skye. I had worried Skye would be extremely busy with tourists (like us), but it wasn’t at all. There’s so much more to see, I know we will return.
Fact File
Property – Mable’s Cottage, 1 Sheader, Uig, Skye IV51 9YF
Contact – 01539 620847 or 07826 521547
Price – Two bedroom cottage cost £154 – £238 per night. Dogs go free.
Website – mablescottageskye.com
