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4 Guests
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2 Bedrooms
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1 Bathroom
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Pets Yes
Features
- Ground floor bedroom
- Garden / Patio
- Washing machine
- Seaside
Reviews & Ratings
47 Customer Reviews
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"A few minor maintenance needs, but the cottage is comfy and has a great view."
This was an unexpected surprise.
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"The location was AMAZING it was a lovely little cottage that had what we needed for 2 days."
There was damp and mold everywhere though and we wouldn't have been able to stay any longer than we did. All of our clothes were a bit damp by the time we left. It was quite stuffy in the house and we couldn't open any windows because of midges.
Dear Alexandra, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that you found the cottage damp and stuffy during your stay. Given Scotland's climate, particularly in the Highlands, the weather can sometimes be challenging, and the presence of midges during certain months can indeed make it difficult to enjoy fresh air without letting them in. We will look to explore further solutions to manage any moisture in the cottage. We hope you were still able to enjoy your time in this beautiful part of Scotland, and we appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve. Best regards, Wendy Property Owner
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"It's not the newest house ( picture in Website lets you think it is freshly painted outside) but the beds are very comfortable and the kitchen has everything that you need, especially the washing machine which ist worth a lot on a holiday with children."
The view to the mountains and bay are amazing, the access to the cottage is only for high vehicles ( uneven and many potholes) , that should be told on the website. And the signs to find it could be bigger, Google Maps didnt find it easily The walls are freshly painted but it's a bit sad that there is mold in every window and door and at the edges of the bathroom. When we arrived it was really cold ( although mid of July) and it smelled moisty but the heating was turned on fast and then it was okay. Some small repairs would improve it a lot... Contact to hosts was okay.
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"The property was exactly as advertised, and my teenage sone and I thoroughly enjoyed our holiday on Skye, based in Amber's Cottage in Staffin."
I would happily go back there again in the future.
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"This property is very tired and in need of several upgrades and is not in the condition of the pictures."
This property was absolutely disgusting when we arrived. Black mould in every room, broken mirrors and pictures, cheese under the bed and not to mention the constant flies, dead and alive throughout the property. The beds in the twin bedroom are extremely uncomfortable and There are some serious health and safety issues here, mainly windows not being able to open and a detached string used to tie the blind back in bedroom two. There was nowhere to hang clothes in bedroom two. The dirt down the side of the bed was awful, the shelf in the bathroom was hanging off the wall, the fridge needed cleaned before we could use it, a washing machine is provided but there is no tumble dryer or airing screen to hang up washing to dry. I have photographs of all the issues we came across on our stay and I am happy to share these with Antone before they make a booking. I do not recommend this property to anyone, save your money and enjoy a holiday in a nice clean cottage.
Dear Sarah, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We take feedback seriously and will look Into these matters immediately. Rest assured, steps will be taken to rectify the conditions you described if there is a need to do so. We appreciate your perspective, although we'd like to clarify that our aim is to provide excellent value for money, the cottage is rated 3 starts to reflect this. We take pride in offering our cottage at competitive prices, and we're sorry to hear you felt differently. Please if you’re looking to book the cottage look at other feedback on Sykes snd on Trip Advisor as they are very positive. Best regards, Wendy Property Owner
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"Internet was no problem by hot spot connecting mobile ."
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"Cottage was warm and clean and great location."
We stayed as a couple but no way would four adults have been able to “ fit in” with only one bathroom /shower and toilet . Water pressure at cottage excellent but shower pressure almost unusably poor. Fold away kitchen table ok for two people but no more. Lounge and kitchen chairs insufficient if there were four people. Main bedroom bed was comfortable but other bedroom beds only suitable for children.Bedding was adequate but basic. Biggest drawback to cottage was total lack of internet signal on O2 or Virgin networks so any planning / research had to be done when out and about when signal accessible. TV in cottage worked intermittently and as no Wi-Fi , not much use.Unfortunately there was also no visitor pack at cottage with information on the area . Location of cottage at Staffin had great view. Door Key safe procedure was trouble free.We booked Ambers Cottage as being one of a very limited number of places available to accommodate dogs.
Hello, Nick. Thank you for your review, we hope that you enjoyed your stay and are glad to have been able to accommodate yourself, your partner and your dog. We’re sorry that you felt the cottage was unsuitable for 4 adults, although you stayed as a couple. We’ve previously had no issues raised regarding the size of cottage, kitchen table, beds or bathroom and have had groups of adults stay with us before with no issues whatsoever. The furniture (as seen on the photographs) is a 3 seater with 2 large chairs, that can actually accommodate 5 people. In addition, the kitchen/diner again is 4x4. The shower is new, but unfortunately at times the water pressure does drop, many apologies. The beds in the 2nd bedroom are two singles with expensive mattresses (photo available upon request) and have been used by adults with no issues, several times. In regards to the wifi and television, please see the details of the listed as this is clearly highlighted in the summary and unfortunately signal is intermittent across the island itself. As you describe this biggest drawback, I would like to point you again towards the listing summary as this is clearly outlined. Thank you for informing me that the visitor pack is missing, we will work towards replacing this as it has been misplaced. Property Owner
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"If your looking for a pristine top notch holiday cottage , then don’t bother with Ambers Cottage ."
If however you are looking for a cottage that you immediately feel at home in , cozy , warm and with everything you need , including one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in , then this is the place for you . I loved every minute of my stay and will definitely be back
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"This was a return visit, and another lovely break."
Great cosy cottage for a holiday base. Very clean and well maintained. Internet coverage is better than last time we came. Shame that the local restaurant was closed for the time we were there but that doesn't reflect on the cottage. The owner is lovely and easy to communicate with. Would definitely recommend staying at Ambers Cottage and the bonus is that our three well behaved dogs were welcome.
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"This is a lovely home from home style cottage, perfect for bringing dogs with you as well, as long as they are well behaved around livestock in neighbouring crofts."
The cottage garden is stock fenced which is helpful. Beautiful location, friendly community and lots of places to visit on the island. Can't wait to return next year!
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"The cottage is really lovely, kitchen is well stocked, beds are comfy and it has exceptional views of the sea and mountains."
We really enjoyed our stay. Loads of great walks from the cottage, including to Staffin beach for the dinosaur footprints. Garden is nice but not fully secure for our big dog. Would happily return.
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"We had a great stay at Ambers Cottage, it’s clean, comfortable and had pretty much everything we needed."
We’d stay again. Overall it was a lovely wee cottage. The garden was great for the dog. A table and chairs in the garden would be a great addition as there is a slabbed area for one. The shower is pretty awful. There’s very little pressure and the temperature is very difficult to control. The beach is a much longer walk than 5 minutes away as you can’t walk over the fields. It’s at least 20 minutes, 10 in the car. It wasn’t an issue for us that there was no wifi. This was clearly stated in the description. There was no signal for virgin mobile but a little signal for O2 in a corner of the living room.
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"We got in shortly after sunset so it was hard to see your signs."
If you put in your directions to look for the signs, that would be helpful for the next person. Thank you for a lovely stay!
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"The location was inspirational, with fantastic views."
The parking arrangements and enclosed garden were ideal for our dog. We had some trouble following the directions to the property, possibly our tendency to logically over interpret didn't help, but we struggled because the directions did not specify that one should drive right through Staffin village before encountering the sign to the beach. We were disappointed with the poor level of maintenance of the property. The cleaner had clearly done her best to clean to a good standard, but the decor was shabby and in need of basic redecoration. On our first day, the leak in the kitchen tap developed into a powerful, constant flow, which necessitated finding a screwdriver and turning off the isolation valve. These things happen but it was symptomatic of the general state of disrepair, other examples included the loose bathroom shelf, chipped cheap bedside table, leaking outside tap, and cracked bedroom wardrobe mirror. We contacted the owner, who assured us a plumber would be out in the next day or two. Nobody arrived, and we had to buy bottled water to drink for the rest of our stay. No attempt was made by the owner to check that the tap had been mended. On leaving we messaged her to let her know before next customers arrived. She contacted us later to say the plumber had been busy and had now fixed the problem, of little use to us. She suggested she might compensate us in some way, to which we replied affirmatively.. we have heard nothing more. Our other impression was the lack of simple touches to make the stay more comfortable, for example there were no cushions or rugs in the property. It was frustrating, with a modest outlay of time and money, the cottage would have a level of comfort to match the idyllic location. We very much had the sense of an absentee owner, whose approach to maintaining the cottage was to keep costs to a minimum, to the detriment of the customer experience. We are still waiting for a response from the owner, and would appreciate a comment from Sykes cottages.
We are so glad that you found our cottage inspirational. We agree it is idyllic in location. The signage for Ambers cottage is problematic in the respect that we are not allowed to just be popping signs up here there and everywhere. There is an adequate sign at the bottom of the long drive way. The Isle of Skye is very much like this and it can be hard to find any property etc due to the nature of the isle. You questioned the maintenance of our cottage, the cottage was awarded 3 stars by Sykes Cottages. It is more than adequate. I am of the understanding you should of maybe extended your budget and gone for a 5 star property with your expectations. It’s a little sad that you have expected more than our family loved cottage could offer you. We then move on to your comment about “shabby decor” this is obviously of personal opinion and as I stated previously, it’s all about keeping expectations realistic. The property is redecorated annually. Skye’s implemented a policy that all non essential soft furnishings were to be removed and stored away due to Covid. Of course we would prefer to have rugs and cushions in our homely cottage but sadly that option was taken out of our control to keep our guests and housekeeper safe. The situation regarding the plumber is also an issue for us, we don’t want to have issues in the cottage that we can’t solve instantly but things happen. I’m sure you can understand Skye doesn’t have tradesmen you can just call on and have at your door instantaneously. Unfortunately our plumber didn’t manage to get to you as soon as we would of liked him to and we did apologise for this. I would like to state though that there was no issue with the tap prior to your arrival. The tap had been tampered with and has sadly had damage caused to it due to this. We as a family can wholeheartedly say that your review is upsetting and does not reflect the view of our previous guests. Property Owner
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"The cottage is sadly needing a wee upgrade and needs to have WiFi in 21 century ."
It has really poor kitchen utensils. The knives were really blunt I couldn’t find any scissors and there is a shortage of crockery , bowls etc . There is a smell of damp which initially you don’t notice due to the overwhelming smell of disinfectant used by the cleaner. Her notices about cleaning dog mess up are sellotaped all over the cottage and look very unprofessional. It could be a fantastic cottage as the location is superb but the cottage needs some refreshing .
Thank you for your feedback. The property does not advertise WiFi. We were also not aware of the smell of damp but will look into this for future bookings. Damp looked into and nothing was found, also crockery for 4 people has been checked and all complete. Knife block and scissors replaced.Damp looked into and nothing was found, also crockery for 4 people has been checked and all complete. Knife block and scissors replaced. Property Owner
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"Great location, ample cottage and throughly enjoyable."
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"Really enjoyed our stay the cottage was great what a beautiful place Skye is ..."
Really enjoyed our stay the cottage was great what a beautiful place Skye is loved the peace and quiet it was great for our dog a very secure garden will definitely go back in the future
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"Greatly enjoyed our stay - the views are wonderful."
Greatly appreciated the peace and the sounds of nature. The cottage was very clean and comfortable - the arrangement of rooms worked very well for us and allowed us space to keep the dog away from the siting room when wet. The enclosed garden was also a great help. Only suggestion to make - it would be useful to have a long handled brush to keep the floors spotless and a sharp vegetable knife and small storage containers would be helpful in the kitchen. Very minor points in what was a lovely location and a very enjoyable holiday.
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"Fantastic holiday cottage that was perfect for us, a couple with a small dog."
The place was spotless when we arrived. We cooked each night and the kitchen was spacious and really well equipped. Owner was super friendly when we rang to arrange key pick-up, and very quick to respond to any queries. Location is ideal for a short drive to famous walking spots such as The Quiraing and Old Man of Storr, and there's easy walking straight out of the cottage, down to the beach at Staffin. The view from the bedroom and lounge are also hard to beat! Overall couldn't have asked for more during our stay in Skye.
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"Great location for base at Skye."
Everything we needed at Ambers cottage was their. Views from cottage fab and constantly changing.
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"Lovely cottage in a peaceful setting 5 minutes from the beach."
If your looking for peace and quiet, this is the place to be.
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"A very comfortable and cosy cottage."
I know with the threat of covid around that the likes of games, books, jigsaws etc are not left for use at the moment but being so remote maybe a dvd player and some cd's which could be sanitised easily could be an option as the tv was sometimes hit or miss.
Thanks for your feedback. There is a DVD player underneath the television, but due to Covid rules we cannot put DVD’s out for guest to use but ask them to bring their own. own. Property Owner
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"We absolutely loved our stay at Amber's cottage."
It was a perfectly located cottage with an amazing view and a really cosy place to rest at the end of a long day visting some absolutely amazing scenery! I personally think some of the previous visitors / reviewers were expecting a bit too much based on what they paid and the property description. Just to address to few of the previous points...the garden is 100% enclosed for dogs. We have two border terriers that would definitely have escaped if it wasn't (they spent the whole week on sheep watch!). There isn't a bath but we never expected one because we read the description. The shower was more than adequate. There was no internet / mobile signal for me in Staffin but I think it depends what provider you're with because some people clearly did (I am with Tesco Mobile / O2). The TV wasn't huge but who visits the Isle of Skye to watch TV and sit on their phones? On the rare occasion we wanted to watch TV it worked fine and we'd downloaded a few movies on our laptop anyway just in case. Overall we enjoyed every minute in this cottage with no complaints. It was clean, well furnished and a snug abode in which to watch the occasional storm cloud rolling over the famous Quiraing Mountain that sits through the cottage window like an oil painting! We would definitely visit again!
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"As per other comments."
Overall the cottage was to a good standard. A few issues such as the black mould in the bedroom wardrobe was quite bad I have Asthma. It prevented me hanging up any clothes, this is an issue that needs attention. The bathroom cold water tap was difficult to turn off and there was a leak around the toilet. The fridge has a broken seal in the door, which technically makes it unfit for purpose. That said the cottage was well equipped with all the basic utensils and equipment.The beds and couches were really comfortable, and the cottage was really clean to a high standard. Improvements such as hooks in the front conservatory, for dog coats, a bigger TV on the wall, pan handle guards they do burn you, fencing even around the back door area would make it more secure if your dogs like to run. Overall a nice cottage.
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"There were a number of issues regarding items needing maintenance including mold in the bedroom wardrobe, fan in bathroom not turning, tap in bathroom difficult to turn off, lamp in twin bedroom not working, very heavy foldaway table in the kitchen to get out therefore didnt use it and ate on laps in lounge, no coffee table, only one side table which we moved to use as coffee table."
(we left a list of these things for the owner). The interior of the cottage is a bit dated and tired and could do with a revamp especially for the price asked. A dishwasher would have been nice. All in all a basic cottage without any frills! The location and views were great but we wouldn't pick this cottage again unless the issues were adressed.
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"I was sharing with two other people in a two single bedded room."
I slept well and the facilities in the bedroom were fine. The sitting room was fine except the seating was too soft for me, I improvised by using the pillows from the bedroom and one of the folding up chairs from the lobby at the front door. The kitchen had enough facilities suited to our needs, but there was chipped crockery in the cupboard and the fridge could do with being replaced. Never used the washing machine and no internet or signal for my phone was a drawback. My first stay on Skye, the weather was fantastic and I survived
Thanks for your feedback. The fridge has now been replaced along with the chipped crockery. Property Owner
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"Absolutely amazing time at Amber's Cottage!"
Very easy to find and great communication from the owner. It was just what we needed to relax and unwind, beautiful coastal position and wonderful views. The owner was able to accommodate four dogs, which we often struggle with, so we were very grateful. We would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND to anyone looking for a chilled out break with their furry friends.
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"This cottage desperately needs a bathroom revamp."
After long days walk a hot bath would be something to look forward to, just a shower doesn’t fit the bill.
Thanks for your feedback. The photos of the cottage clearly show that the bathroom only has a shower, but it is something we are looking into. Thanks again Wendy Property Owner
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"Cottage was very easy to find."
Looked the same as in the pictures with very nice views of the sea and hills. Very quiet, clean and all the required facilities, with a local shop a few minutes away. If i went back to Skye i wouldn't hesitate in renting this cottage.
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"Lovely cottage, comfy and in a beautiful location, stunning views all around the property, garden was great for our dogs."
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"The view from the cottage was beautiful."
On the only stormy day, the view was dramatic with heavy, brooding clouds and waves crashing in. Every other day was sunny and we had views from the coastline to the mountains in the distance. Fabulous to wake up and draw the curtains and see this.
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"The fixtures are very worn and tired of a poor standard also on our visit there were very few lamps."
It is not a kitchen/dinner as described there is a fold away table which is very hard to move and I am not sure how four people would sit at it. The TV is balanced on the fire and goes off every time someone moves. We were required to strip the bed which revealed a very stained mattress not acceptable. Never found the pub, the beach isn't exactly sandy more rocky, the only accurate description is that the views are good.
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"Lovely cottage, excellent location and a great holiday."
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"The accommodation was as described, apart from the television signal/ reception is awful, particularly in bad weather, and as there is not much to do in the area, we had to amuse ourselves the old fashioned way with card games, reading and Scrabble."
This needs to be addressed with the owner. We would happily return if this is fixed.
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"A dish for tv may be better ."
Also a newer microwave and toaster would be better . Sink plugs broken need replaced . Table in kitchen would be easier to move with wheels on . Also windows when open need a clean . Everything else fantastic . This is not a complaint please don’t this the wrong way . It’s just a helpful message for the owner as not many people would tell you as it is . But thank you for a lovely holiday . And we would stay at amber cottage again . Thanks .
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"Warm cosy cottage, friendly text message from the owner on arrival at the cottage."
There was a further offer of support should we require it from the owner. Ample car parking and an enclosed garden for the dogs.
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"Beautiful setting and a really cosy and comfortable cottage."
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"The location of the cottage was excellent, providing a quiet environment with excellent views."
The nearby village was convenient for casual eating and minor shopping. The cottage itself had a "tired" and "whatever will do" feeling. The tired related to facilities that were worn out (e.g. toilet seat) or not working/fit for purpose (e.g. kettle, TV). The whatever will do is evidenced by (for example) an over abundence of crockery but no shelves or drawers for clothing, a fold out dining table and chairs tightly located in the kitchen, and a folder of hand-written sketchy notes on the facilities. While it was not advertised as having wifi, it is a facility that is nearly universally expected.
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"Comfortable and cosy ideal for a base to tour local area."
Could do with a bit of slight TLC.For people who are hoping to get a phone signal if on O2 or Tesco forget it. Also of all the cottages I’ve have stayed in this is the first one that hasn’t had a welcome so make sure you have your essentials
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"Nice cosy warm cottage with fantastic views, a great base for a holiday on Skye"
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"Went for my partners 50th and what amazing time we had it was really beautiful , ..."
Went for my partners 50th and what amazing time we had it was really beautiful , the walks and hill climbs are amazing , the veiws took our breath away , it was a bit away from thing though and when i read about round about it did say there was a pub near by but was disapointed there wasent ,went for a walk with our dog and local dogs were out and about with no gate closed and came out to have a go at our dog which i was not amused at a little scared as there were 2 and no onwer , so just be a aware , but i loved the cottage and location just wish there was some where for a wee cheeky pint
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"Picking up the keys was easy and the cottage was very clean."
The beach with dinosaur footprints was close.The cottage was also dog friendly and had tourist information, movies, a really nice kitchen and comfortable beds. The area was quiet, there's a small shop near by and a cafe with WiFi for an affordable lunch.
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"Ambers Cottage was in a perfect location with breathtaking views of Staffin Bay and the Quaraing Mountain range."
It is a comfortable cottage with good facilities. Our three Labradors enjoyed their stay and the good local walks.
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"Ambers cottege is simply lovely !"
! We have spent a week walking the lovely beach and pathways . It was truly a lovely holiday, relaxing and certainly away from the rush of life . My two dogs had a great time and for the old one I think she has been reborn.... ( must be the air ) I can't say enough about ambers except I will be back god willing Thanks again !
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"Great quiet location for visiting sights in Skye"
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"Lovely courtesy call from the owner."
Peaceful and relaxed stay. Very comfortable cottage with excellent facilities. Really appreciated being allowed three well behaved dogs,which is hard to find. Fantastic views. Would recommend.
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"The cottage was small but very cosy and more than enough room for the 3 of us, I think it would be a struggle if 4 adults were to stay there as very little room and storage space in the twin room."
Cottage was very clean, warm and welcoming and a pleasure to return to after a long day. Fell in love with Amber's cottage and was so hard to leave, views from all directions were fantastic and more than enough to explore to keep us very happy and we were very lucky and for the first week in October we had fantastic weather. Staffin is a beautiful area and one we will be certainly returning to in the very near future, am counting down the days already!!
Summary
- All ground floor
- Two bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x twin
- Shower room with shower, basin and WC
- Kitchen with dining area
- Sitting room with electric stove-effect fire.
- Gas central heating with electric fire
- Electric oven with gas hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine, TV with Freeview, DVD
- Fuel and power inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Ample off road parking
- Enclosed lawned garden
- Three well-behaved pets welcome
- Sorry, no smoking
- Shop 5 mins walk, plenty of places to eat close-by, pub 4 miles
- Beach 5 mins walk
- Note: The access road up to the cottage needs to be driven with care
- Please note that due to location there is a poor phone signal and the TV signal can be intermittent
- Please note: This property does not have WiFi
- This property accepts a minimum stay of 4 nights.
The property
Staffin 1 mile.
This pretty detached, whitewashed stone cottage is in a private, elevated setting, one mile from the village of Staffin, on the Isle of Skye.
Boasting breathtaking sea and mountain views, this lovely single-storey cottage is situated within walking distance of village shops, plenty of places to eat close-by, a sandy beach and a community centre with a licensed restaurant.
This cosy cottage is ideal for a small family or group of friends who want to soak up the wonderful views from their own wee cottage, as well as being close to some exceptional mountain walks.
Amber's Cottage has two bedrooms, a shower room and a comfortable sitting room with an electric stove-effect fire, along with a spacious fitted kitchen/diner and a large porch, where you can store walking boots and coats after a day out and about exploring this wonderful island.
The impressive Quiraing Mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the village of Staffin, where you can spot eagles soaring overhead.
Just a short walk from the cottage takes you down to the shoreline and the sandy beach, from where will see some remarkable footprints left by dinosaurs that walked across the sand here some 165 million years ago!
Staffin Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the Isle of Skye due to its incredible and unique black sand as well as the famous dinosaur footprints revealed at low tide; it is also easy to reach from the cottage, lying just a short drive or wonderful walk away, which just adds to its appeal!
The Isle of Skye has so much to offer visitors and the capital town of Portree provides a great selection of lively pubs, shops and restaurants.
The world famous Dunvegan Castle is also well worth a visit, as is Skye's only Distillery at Talisker.
For the wildlife spotter, whether on land, in the sea or in the air, there's never a dull moment with eagles, whales, deer and otters to spot in the area.
Your charming cottage is a welcome base after a days walking or sightseeing.
EPC Rating: Band F
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.
About the location
STAFFIN
Portree 17 miles; Kyle of Lochalsh 51 miles.
Occupying a coastal location on the northern half of the Isle of Skye, is the crofting village of Staffin. Overlooking Staffin Bay and Staffin Island, this tranquil village boasts something for everyone, with two restaurants, two shops, a part time opening Post Office, the Staffin Slipway for sailing enthusiasts, the only sandy beach in the north of Skye and plentiful walks along the beach or inland. The town of Portree, the largest on Skye, is 17 miles down the coast and from here, the whole of this wonderful island can be easily reached. A haven for walkers, the fabulous Trotternish Ridge with the famous and majestic Quiraing as its dramatic centrepiece is easily reached from Staffin.
This property accepts a minimum stay of 4 nights.
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute
- Christmas