Luxury Modern Accommodation with a Traditional Highland Feel

Based on the Isle of Skye in the Highlands of Scotland, Mary's cottages provide a unique, luxury self-catering experience, that while fully equipped with all the modern facilities one would find in a four star cottage, will take you back to an era long ago and a pace of life far removed from today's 'rat race'.

The cottages are based on the traditional island black house (thatched cottage) that have been used by the Crofters of the area for centuries and are designed to cater for up to four people.

We have three holiday cottages available for rent all year round and while all are similar in style, design and quality each has individual personal touches to make you feel really at home. For the history of the cottages and the croft please visit our history section on this page

Boat Trips to Loch Coruisk on the Misty Isle

The large living area has been designed with a church style roof for the additional feeling of space and as well as being heated by under floor heating contains an oil burning stove to mesmerise you as you sit and sip a wee dram of the local whisky. This area also contains the kitchen area and access to the gallery bedroom.

The main bedroom houses the veiled box bed to ensure a peaceful and romantic nights rest while the gallery bedroom, contains two single beds.

The History of the Cottages

All three cottages stand on the croft just outside Elgol, Isle of Skye, which has belonged to six generations of Andrew's family. One of which was Andrew's Great-Grandmother, Mary Ann MacKenzie, born on 17th November 1876 and died 11th May 1951. She was married on the 18th January 1899 to John MacIntosh born 1850 and died 1907.

One night while John MacIntosh was making his way back from Camasunary he slipped over the cliff and was tragically killed at the age of 57. His wife, Mary Ann, was left to bring up 2 small children (ages 6 & 4) and carry a pregnancy that was to be Andrew's Grandmother, Johan Garland (nee MacIntosh). To make ends meet Mary Ann ran the local Post Office and a boarding house on the same croft.

Tigh Phadraig - named after our son

Traditional Thatched Cottage on Skye, outside view

The stonework on Tigh Phadraig was the original Elgol school.
Pupils paid one penny per week and each child would bring a peat per day.
Pupils only attended the school if there were no other chores to be done
The preacher was called Donald Robertson and was born in 1815 and paid £10 per year to teach. His wife was called Ann. The preacher was the son of Angus Robertson, born 1766. His wife was called Margaret MacKinnon, born 1776

Tigh Mairi - called after our daughter

Bedroom of a traditional thatched cottage on the Isle of Skye

Tigh Mairi was more recently used as a hay shed.
Prior to a hay shed it is believed to have been a dwelling house.
It was rebuilt to a hay shed by John MacIntosh, the nephew to the late husband of Mary Ann MacKenzie.
Andrews great, great grandfather was John MacIntosh, born 1800. His wife was called Janet Robertson, born 1811 and is believed to have been the preachers sister.
John's youngest son, Lachie MacIntosh kept a close eye on the building process to ensure that his father's good work was replicated.

Tigh Seonag - named after Andrew's Grandmother

The stone used for Tigh Seonag was given to us by Peter MacIntosh, nephew to Lachie MacIntosh.
Although Tigh Seonag is a new site and the stone came from an old byre on the neighbouring croft, it is believed it had previously been used in the house in which the school preacher lived.

Tigh Lachie - Named after Lachie MacIntosh, "Mash" as he was known locally.

The stone came from a local crofters at the bottom of the village, Donald and Frances McKinnon.
Donald is a key member of the Elgol and Torrin Historical society or after the meeting is over and a refreshment or two has been consumed the 'hysterical society'.
Towards the end of the build we ran short of stone to finish the chimneys. The stone for the chimneys was found on Elgol and Kilmarie shore.