A Perfect Base For Exploring Skye And The Cuillin

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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Wonderful

3 bedrooms0+ bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Fireplace
Pet-friendly
Kitchen
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Inverness, SCT

Isle of Skye Oysters
‪17 min walk‬
Talisker Distillery
‪17 min walk‬
Fairy Pools
‪8 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Nyumbani is a traditional single storey Skye cottage situated in its own wrap around gardens overlooking beautiful Loch Harport on the stunning west coast of the Isle of Skye. Nyumbani mean 'our home', in Swahili, and this aptly describes this attractive cottage, with its homely lounge/dining room with open fire, deep leather sofas, family sized kitchen and 3 generously proportioned bedrooms. There is a lovely conservatory that provides a second lounge area, with large flat screen TV and DVD. Doors open onto the fully enclosed gardens that surround the property. Bed linen & towels provided.

Property manager

Diana Gerrard

Languages

English

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Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Fireplace

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Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Minginish

Located in Carbost, a neighbourhood in Minginish, this cottage is in a rural area and by the sea. Portree Harbour and Talisker Distillery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Fairy Pools and Fiskavaig Bay. Discover the area's water adventures with sailing and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking.

Inverness, SCT

What's nearby

Isle of Skye Oysters - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
Talisker Distillery - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
Fairy Pools - 8 min drive - 10.0 km
Talisker Beach - 19 min drive - 7.2 km
Portree Harbour - 23 min drive - 29.7 km

Restaurants

‪Talisker Distillery - ‬19 min walk
‪The Oyster Shed - ‬15 min walk
‪The Old Inn - ‬2 min drive
‪Café Cùil - ‬4 min drive
‪Bog Myrtle Skye - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A Perfect Base For Exploring Skye And The Cuillin pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A Perfect Base For Exploring Skye And The Cuillin?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Perfect Base For Exploring Skye And The Cuillin?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A Perfect Base For Exploring Skye And The Cuillin located?

Located in Carbost, this cottage is within 1 mile (2 km) of Isle of Skye Oysters and Talisker Distillery. Fiskavaig Bay and Talisker Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

9.0

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

9.2/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M.

31 Mar 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edwin C.

24 Feb 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect spot for a wet and windy break

If you are looking for a relatively remote spot with gorgeous views across the loch, this is perfect. The property was warm and cosy, great to hunker down despite the lashing rain and powerful wind outside. A short walk gets you to Talisker distillery, the Old Inn and little local convenience store, so yiu have all you need. Property well equipped and comfortable, great communication with owner - thanks for the opportunity to explores the wilds and wiles of Skye.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Michelle P.

27 Dec 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay

Property desperately needs updating both of the sofas in conservatory are ripped as were the cushions other then that we enjoyed our stay

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keith S.

2 Nov 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A week in Skye

The property was spacious, clean and well presented. The enclosed garden was perfect for our dogs and the hard floors were easily kept clean from muddy paws. The location of the property allowed us to visit many places during our stay and the caretakers local knowledge allowed us to find a beach close by for the dogs to play in the water. All in all, an excellent place to be in and be based from.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Janine J.

31 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jann M.

15 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great cottage for location to The Fairy Pools

Fab cottage in great location. Really suitable for walkers as there is a large utility room with plenty hooks for outdoor gear and boots (direct access from outside) Very big property for 6 people with a living room & sun room. Did not get a tv channels ( it might have been us not knowing how) but there was wifi so could watch on line on phone if wanted. Easy to get to Fairy Pools and I preferred the walk from Glenbrittle campside around the bay. Easy to get to Dunvegan & Portree.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Trudi B.

21 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet base for a few days on Skye

Lovely conservatory - spent most of the time in there. Spacious and well equipped kitchen. Good to have separate dining room. Plenty of storage space throughout. Really helpful to have parking in front.

Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fiona M.

2 Jan 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location

Well equipped, comfortable, warm accommodation

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Darren W.

27 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic host and caretaker.

The highlight of my stay, despite unforseen issues, has definitely got to be Diana, the owner, and Keith, the caretaker. Both were extremely attentive and easy to chat to and made what could have been a difficult holiday very memorable. Recommended on the welcome and contact availability alone.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Lorraine J.

21 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Perfect location to explore Skye

The property was clean, well equipped and in a great location. A little updating in the furnishings is required but excellent value for money

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew S., Basingstoke

14 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely place to stay

The bungalow is exactly as listed and is well appointed in a lovely location. We had good communications with the owner and a great chat with the helpful caretaker who lives nearby. Carbost is remote but the village is friendly with a good pub and small community shop. It was warm and draft free despite a very wet and windy week.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

David C.

27 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning location!

Spacious cottage located about a mile from Carbost village, sitting above the bank of loch Harport, giving great views of the whole area. The cottage is very well equipped and comfortable. The beds are, perhaps, slightly lumpy, yet all of our party enjoyed a great night's sleep throughout our week's stay. It provided a great base for exploring the island (cautionary note, if you haven't been to Skye before, allow plenty travelling time, due to single track roads and slow motor homes... e.g. from the cottage to the Fairy Pools' car park is a distance of 7.5 miles, which at worst, took 50 minutes in the car!). We thoroughly enjoyed our week on Skye based at the cottage. It offered a comfortable stay and fantastic value. We would not hesitate to return and highly recommend it to others.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S., Courtland

24 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Budget Friendly House

Value for money with this house is awesome! Those negative reviews have to be from people with a champagne taste on a beer budget. Yes it’s an older home, but for the price it is sooo worth it. Great views and the sunroom is a great way to relax and spend windy stormy days. We had a week here and for the price I was AMAZED! The Old Inn in Carbost is a cute little pub close by to see and listen to live music. Fasts in The Isle of Skye Candle Co Welcome center (Portree) is a must. The pizza and scones are superb! If you don’t get check-in instructions, just go to the house. Trust me, the caretaker Keith is either there or close by to help. Skye is small, so just go. I can’t wait to return and I’ll definitely be booking again, maybe 2 weeks next trip if I’m lucky. Thanks for sharing a lovely little cottage!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura G.

29 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house in good location

Fantastic space and great base for exploring the island.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph D V.

22 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Six day stay

Fernilea home is an older home, but had everything one needs. Being older, not everything is brand-new perfect, but GREAT value for the price. If you need a 4 star hotel, this is not the place for you. If you want a spacious place for great price, quiet and great views, this is it. Tricky to find, and single-track potholed roads can be challenging...but THIS IS RURAL SCOTLAND. It's part of the charm. Others have mentioned steep steps up from parking space and difficult deep bathtub/shower to step into. If you have mobility issues, this is not for you, but the listing clearly indicates same. Read the listing and reviews before you rent! Large graveled parking space at bottom of steps. When finding home do not (as we did) confuse signage for "Tallisker" with signage to "Tallisker Distillery". Travel past the Tallisker Distillery, turn left up the steep hill, then turn at next right. Home is then perhaps 1/2 mile on left, overlooking the loch. Only real negative was tiny refrigerator and no ice-making ability. Central location on island makes sightseeing easy.

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

alison s.

16 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Suited our needs

Beautiful area perfect for us and our dog. The house is spacious and warm with conservatory that heats up in any spells of sunshine. Parts of the property are a bit tired and the bath was out of action but we are told an overhaul is planned this winter, which I am sure will be a great addition. We had a warm welcome and would happily stay again.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura T.

27 Jun 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family trip to Carbost

My partner, my mum and my two kids and one of their friends all stayed here for a long weekend. The house was very clean and had everything you needed. I really couldn’t fault it for the price we paid. My only feedback would be to ensure you take an eye mask in the summer as it’s very bright. Thanks for a lovely stay.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mrs A.

26 Jun 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

All you need

This is a big cottage, everything you need is there. Could do with some tlc,but if you over look that ....which is easy, then its great! Keith your point of contact is a great guy, with lots of knowledge. Prepare yourself for the hill, but worth it.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

4/10 Poor

Marjorie C.

20 Jun 2023

Liked: Location

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy

Disappointed

Very disappointed, didn't live up to images online. All furniture old and tired, needs replacing. Beds extremely hard and uncomfortable, resorted to using spare duvets on top of mattress to try and make more comfortable, with little success. For some reason, all beds were pulled away from walls which showed a huge cleaning failure as large amounts of dust and debris behind every bed. TV appeared not to work properly and no instructions to help. Garden was so overgrown, could not access outside seating or washing line. No information about steep steps to access property. Property not clearly marked making it difficult to find, had to ring for directions. Very little information received prior to visit, had to contact owner a few days before holiday. Pictures of property very deceiving. Surprised to see artwork on bathroom wall, it was a very unclean plastic bathmat, stuck on the wall which was the first thing you saw gong into the bathroom. Also bath did not work and access to shower difficult as over bath, not a separate cubicle. Not an ideal property for anyone with limited mobility.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janet W.

19 May 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious cottage

Very large cottage everything you needed . Nice location

Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Edna J.

27 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house in beautiful location

We enjoyed a very wet week in this lovely warm, clean and spacious house with gorgeous views overlooking Loch Harport. Carbost is within easy walking distance. Although the house does need a little TLC it is excellent value for money and is very well equipped. We felt very comfortable during our stay! Would definately recommend and hope to return soon!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexander M.

18 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little Cosy White cottage

Cosy cottage that provided us with everything we needed, loved the location with its spectacular views. Nice cosy pub and and handy community shop within walking distance

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Magdalena S.

28 Dec 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house

The house is located in a beautiful place, the house had everything we needed to have good time.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jake M.

29 Nov 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical

My family and I had a fabulous time, the location was perfect, we arrived after 18:00 and you instantly notice the big sky, if you’re a star gazer you have the cosmos there with no light pollution to wonder at, when we got up the following morning we were greeted by the superb views mountains all around and the sea loch vistas were quite spectacular, the accommodation was great a very well maintained character property and spacious enough for a family, looking forward returning next year, and if you need any help Keith is the information department and can point you towards any surrounding attractions, like any holiday destination in Scotland you have to make your own preparations, we knew where we going and we were not disappointed with anything.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

6/10 Okay

Karen P.

17 Sept 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Our week on Skye

The property overall was ok, and had everything you would need during your stay, with lovely views across to the loch. There are some points for improvement, oven didnt work properly, and took ages to heat up. Beds Bedding & towels could do with a refresh. Both sofa's were ripped, and in my opinion the cottage as a whole needs some TLC! Inside & out.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Diana Gerrard

Languages:

English

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A Perfect Base For Exploring Skye And The Cuillin

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property