Gavin Maxwell Cottage

Eilean Ban, a six-acre island wedged between Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh, was once only reachable by boat. The Skye Bridge changed that, and now Gavin Maxwell Cottage sits on this remarkable patch of Highland coastline, accessible via a private entrance. Stone paths wind across the island through wild grasses, heathers and shrubs, with the water close enough to watch for otters, seals and the occasional dolphin or basking shark. A pub lies within a mile, and the whole Skye Bridge crossing point is your immediate neighbour—you're in one of Scotland's most distinctive settings.

The cottage is ground floor throughout: a living room with woodburner and TV, a kitchen equipped for proper cooking, two bedrooms (one double, one with twin singles), and a bathroom with shower. Electricity, bed linen and towels come as standard, and the heating is electric central. Two parking spaces are designated, with a short walk down a maintained stone path to reach the door. Young children will need watching due to the proximity to the sea, and the cottage is non-smoking.

This is the former home of Gavin Maxwell, the twentieth-century wildlife writer whose book Ring of Bright Water drew readers into the natural world he documented. Staying here puts you in the landscape that inspired him, though you'll supply your own adventures.