Bed And Breakfast Near The Isle Of Skye
over the sea to Skye… (in about 20 minutes!)Stay Near Skye, On The Quiet Side Of The Bridge
decide over breakfast…Otterburn House is a small B&B at Inverinate, on the shore of Loch Duich between Shiel Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh. That’s Inverinate, not Inverness; the Skye Bridge is about twenty minutes along the A87, so the island is an easy day out.
It works like this: wake up on the loch, have breakfast, look at the sky, and decide the best option based on the prevailing weather. On a clear day, cross to Skye. On a mixed one, Eilean Donan Castle is a few minutes away, the Kintail walks start along the road, and Plockton makes a gentle afternoon with a great pub on the shoreline, where you can sit outside in the sun. Then come back to our quiet shore, a garden that ends at the loch side, and dinner nearby without the island rush.
Two Ways Onto Skye
The quick way is west along the A87, through Kyle of Lochalsh and over the Skye Bridge; Broadford and the south of the island are straight ahead of you. The memorable way takes the scenic (and adventurous) route: over the Mam Ratagan pass to Glenelg, where the Glenachulish turntable ferry crosses the Kylerhea narrows from spring to autumn (no booking, pay on board). Our favourite day does both: ferry over, Skye in the middle, bridge home, with Eilean Donan Castle lit up beautifully as you come back along the loch. The ferry is weather-dependent, so check it’s sailing before you set out.
Days On Skye From Otterburn House
Elgol, looking to the Cuillin
Elgol And The Loch Coruisk Boats
Elgol sits at the end of the road through Strathaird, and it’s where the boats leave for Loch Coruisk, perhaps Skye’s most stunning location. The boat trip across often features Dolphin sightings, occasional whale sightings and always seals. The beach at Elgol is worth the drive on its own for any photographer looking for an iconic shot of the Cuillin. Book the boat ahead in season, and with all water based activities, keep an eye on the weather.
Whisky: Torabhaig, Talisker And Raasay
Torabhaig Distillery on the Sleat peninsula is less than an hour away, and for whisky fans Talisker at Carbost and the Isle of Raasay Distillery are both within day-trip reach. Raasay involves a short ferry ride, but provides a more unique, quieter experience. Whoever’s not driving gets the drams. Tours are usually essential to book ahead.
Portree And The Storr
Portree and its painted harbour are the island’s main town, and the Old Man of Storr is just beyond it up the Trotternish coast. Go early for the Storr car park in summer, then let Portree feed you afterwards.
Sligachan And The Cuillin
The old bridge at Sligachan sits under the Black Cuillin, and it’s the natural leg-stretch on any run up the island: river, ridge and the old stone arches in one frame. A perfect photo stop.
Times are rough guides from the house; single-track roads and summer traffic stretch them.
Speak To Mike For The Insider Routes
bring your map down in the evening…Skye’s famous sites have earned their fame, but they do get busy at peak times, and the island has quieter places that don’t make the coach itineraries. Mike has been photographing this coast for years; sit down with him in the evening and he’ll mark up a route for the next day, the lesser-known stops included, worked around the weather and how much driving you fancy.
Skye Days From Our Guests
“Mike spent an hour with us recommending places on the Isle of Skye. He has a wealth of information and is an excellent photographer as well.”
Guest From Medford · October 2024“Owners took the time to help us plan our route through the Isle of Skye and marked must see stops along the way.”
Guest From Philadelphia · August 2023“Great breakfast with many options, super friendly and welcoming owners. Great location on our way to the Island of Skye!”
Guest From Turku · June 2025Your Base Beside The Loch
The Otter
Our largest room. A double and two singles, en-suite shower, and views over the garden and the loch.
See This Room
The Stag
A ground-floor twin looking onto the garden, with its bathroom just outside the room.
See This RoomMake Inverinate Your Base For Skye
Breakfast included, the bridge about twenty minutes away, and the rest of the Highlands out the other window. Book direct below.