I’ll never forget the drive up to the Isle of Skye – that hairpin road from the bridge had me gripping the wheel like my life depended on it, only for us to hit a cheeky flock of sheep blocking the way just as Portree came into view. One daft ewe decided my hire car was her new best mate and refused to budge, turning a straightforward arrival into a full-on Highland standoff. Laughing through the stress, we eventually shooed them off and rolled into the gravel driveway of this cracking semi-detached cottage, tucked away in a peaceful spot a short stroll from Portree’s centre. First impressions? Magic. Single-storey with that perfect blend of cosy traditional vibes and sleek contemporary touches, it felt like home straight away – side entrance into a welcoming hallway, shoes off, and boom, straight into the open-plan living space. The kitchen’s a dream too, with heaps of room to unpack our Sainsbury’s haul into the massive American-style fridge, and a breakfast bar where we perched for cups of tea, plotting our week.

What I loved most about staying here wasn’t the obvious tourist traps – though Portree’s harbour is lovely for a wander – but stumbling on those hidden gems by pure accident. With the cottage so handy for the centre, we’d set off on foot thinking we knew where we were going, only to get gloriously lost on the winding paths around the bay. One afternoon, aiming for a quick coffee, we veered off down a unmarked track and ended up at this secret pebble beach, just us and the seals bobbing about. No crowds, just the waves lapping and that fresh sea air hitting you proper. We picnicked there with cheese toasties from the cottage’s cracking oven, feeling like we’d nicked a private slice of Skye.

Another time, a wrong turn on the back lanes behind the village led us to a tucked-away woodland glade I’d never have found on a map. Sunlight filtering through the trees, wild garlic everywhere – we foraged a bit (well, I did, while the other half watched suspiciously), then headed back to whip up a pasta in the well-kitted kitchen. It’s funny how getting lost like that sharpens everything; no signal half the time, just you, the mist rolling in, and those epic Cuillin views peeking through on the walk back. One evening, we even discovered a hidden waterfall cascade right off the path near the cottage – nothing massive like the Fairy Pools, but intimate, with a pool perfect for paddling our feet after a day’s rambling.

Sitting there on the breakfast bar one night, nursing a whisky, I had a proper moment of reflection. Life back home’s all rush and screens, but here, faffing about on off-the-beaten-path trails, I remembered how brilliant it is to let go and just see what’s round the corner. No grand plans needed – this cottage was the ideal base for that kind of magic. If you’re after home comforts with a side of serendipity, Skye’s your spot. We left buzzing, already plotting a return.