The Isle of Skye is tucked away on the Northwest coast of Scotland, and is an enchanting destination that attracts visitors from all around the world – if you are planning a trip here it’s likely you’ll be looking for a place to rest your head after long, wonderful days exploring the island.

Luckily, you won’t need to search any further because The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse is the perfect place to do just that. It’s not quite a hotel or hostel but something that suits every traveller by fitting somewhere in-between.

Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye | The Cowshed Bunkhouse Review

The Cowshed Bunkhouse is located in the lovely little village of Uig, which is just a short 15 minute drive from the main village of Portree. It is very easy to reach by car, but if you don’t have your own transportation it’s also super easy to get here by bus. Both the local and intercity bus route takes you directly past the driveway, just ask the driver to stop at The Cowshed when you hop on and they will know to go.

The Isle of Skye is full of lovely hotels, B&B’s and other more expensive accomodation options – but hostels are few and far between. The Cowshed is a mix between dorm style rooms and private ‘pod’ accomodation. With a bed in a shared dorm starting at £16 per night and private rooms from £60, it’s by far one of the cheaper places on the island to stay.

The bunks in the shared rooms are unlike anything you will find in a typical hostel. Each of the seven rooms are clean, quiet and beautifully designed – and with a maximum of six guests per room it never feels overcrowded. The beds even have a handy plug socket right in the bunk and a very Scottish tartan curtain for ultimate privacy.

The private pods or wigwams are set on a hill, away from the main building, overlooking the bay below. Each pod can accomodate three adults or a family of four, and even have a wee (pun intended) private ensuite bathroom and kitchenette. These cosy cabins will keep you warm and secure from the elements outside, even during the wildest of Skye weather.

In the main building you will find a lovely common area, complete with a roaring fire place in the colder months. Cosy couches, a huge selection of board games, wifi and a large kitchen are just some of the amenities you will find here. If you snag a place on one of the couches you will also be treated to the most amazing views through the floor to ceiling windows. Sunrise and sunsets here are truely something special to experience.

When it comes to the shared bathrooms in the main building, you will be pleasantly surprised. Put aside any preconceived ideas you have about ‘hostel’ bathrooms, because these are unlike any I’ve ever come across. The individual rooms contain a shower, toilet, sink and even have heated floors! They are also incredibly clean, which is a rare occurrence in shared accomodation.

When it comes to guests, you won’t find the typical hosteller here. Most people come here seeking an escape from their busy lives, to explore nature or those who are just after relaxation – so you can expect slow evenings and good conversation. If you do feel like a more lively night, The Ferry Inn is just a short walk down the hill and you are always guaranteed a fun night with locals and other guests alike. Plus, they have the best selection of gin I’ve ever seen.

Something to be aware of before your visit is that tourism on Skye has grown massively over the years, and with that comes demand for accomodation. There are some incredible places to stay all across Skye, but I highly recommend you book in advance over the summer months. Many people come with the expectation they can just find accomodation once they arrive but unfortunately during the high season this will probably end with you sleeping in the car as most places will be fully booked.

Finally, don’t forget to brush up on your Scottish Gaelic, because if you listen closely you’ll hear it spoken all around the island!

* I worked at The Cowshed in 2016/17 (hence the ‘staff’ photoshoot above), but that in no way affects my opinions here. Even had I only visited as a guest my opinions on how wonderful it is would still be the same.  It was an incredible place to work and I was very lucky to have spent a year living there, experiencing local life on Skye! 

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Have you visited Skye, where did you stay?

Do you have plans to travel to Skye in the future?!

Let me know in the comments! 

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Make sure you check out my other posts on Skye

July | Big Changes… Again

Exploring the Isle of Raasay

August | Hiking, Isle Hopping & Pies

The Best Places to Eat on the Isle of Skye 

How to Travel the Isle of Skye Without a Car

+ bonus Scotland content

Cafe Guide to Edinburgh

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