The Passing Place, Fiscavaig, Isle of Skye

Set on the western fringe of the Isle of Skye, this beautiful four-bedroom house embraces its breathtaking Hebridean position. Conceived in 2017 by designers Rural House, it combines the raw West Highland agricultural vernacular with Scandinavian modernism and durable sustainability. Inside, a series of light and cosy rooms have panoramic views that stretch from nearby coastal waters towards rugged mountains. The house is surrounded by a garden of over half an acre, where currently sits a classic Airstream trailer, converted into self-catering holiday accommodation (available by separate negotiation) and is around five miles west of Carbost and about 23 miles from Portree.

The Designer

Based on the Isle of Skye, Rural House is a collaboration between the architects Rural Design and designer and builder James Macqueen. The practice was founded in 2003 by Alan Dickson and Gill Smith, who initially worked from a home studio looking across the Outer Hebrides. Their work is modern and progressive, pairing simplicity with richness, depth and robustness.

Environmental Performance

Conceived to maximise energy efficiency, The Passing Place was constructed using a bespoke timber-framing system that is heavily insulated. It has an air source heat pump and a whole house MVHR system that provides ventilation all year round.

The Tour

The Passing Place lies under enveloping highlands and overlooks the sandy shores of Fiscavaig Bay and Loch Bracadale. It sits on an elevated level, with inclined grassy slopes falling towards the quiet approach road on the eastern fringes of the crofting hamlet. A short access track diverts to the sloping garden and parking area.

Formed with a minimal yet rich material palette, the barn-like profile of the house nods to the local agrestic traditions. Aluminium-clad NorDan windows and doors punctuate the larch-clad façade; atop is a matt black corrugated metal roof juxtaposed by a shiny stainless steel flue.

Entry is to a lobby, with plenty of room for hanging coats and storing boots. Beyond are the open-plan living spaces, set beneath a slanted roof that rises high to the roofline. The room receives an exceptional quality of light from a trio of glazed windows and doors, aptly placed to face the landscape as it slopes towards the loch shores, heather clad-moorland and distant mountains.

On one side, the seating and dining areas are centred around a wood-burning stove; opposite are doors that slide open to a timber deck. Polished concrete flooring runs underfoot and textured OSB sheathing board makes a striking wall finish. Designed to be cohesive with the rest of the room, the kitchen has a generous provision of white cabinetry and a handy island.

A short hallway leads to three bedrooms at the westerly corner of the plan (one double, two singles). All are peaceful and have far-reaching views. A study and a bathroom lie in the opposite easterly corner of the house.

Accessed directly from the outside is a guest suite comprising a large double bedroom, a small cooking area and an en suite shower room. A pair of glazed sliding doors overlook the front deck and take in sublime vistas, while mono-pitched ceilings foster a lofty ambience. The current owners have successfully used this space as a holiday let, though it could also be incorporated into the main body of the house.

A fully-restored Airstream trailer at the garden's western periphery provides overspill sleeping accommodation and has been successfully used as a self-catering holiday let. It has a small kitchenette along with showering facilities. This is available by separate negotiation.

Outdoor Space

Surrounded by a plot of over 0.5 acres, the garden anchors the house into the surrounding landscape. For those wanting to make the most of the island's watery topography, the house's external store is a brilliant place for canoes, fishing rods and wet suits.

Sea and golden eagles fly overhead, while red- and black- throated divers and eider duck populate the loch. Sheep grazing the neighbouring grassy banks are frequent visitors. The nearby shores, where afternoons can be spent walking or foraging for an evening's cookout, offer invigorating wild swimming for the brave-hearted. In the distance, dolphins, porpoise and the occasional minke whale pass by in the sea. At night, the sky is ablaze with stars and, on occasion, the compelling aurora borealis, the Milky Way, and noctilucent clouds.

The Area

Lining the beautiful shores of Loch Bracadale, Fiscavaig is a small rural hamlet on the Minginish Peninsula. The thriving local community is served by Carbost's Old Inn, one of the best and most popular traditional pubs on the island, and the scene of weekly music sessions featuring an array of locally and nationally renowned trad-music talent.

Close by, on the banks of Loch Harport, lies Carbost - a much larger settlement featuring a hotel, bunkhouse, community shop, friendly café, doctor’s surgery and post office.

With a stunning panorama of Basalt cliffs and a famed waterfall nearby, Talisker Bay is a celebrated spot with ever-changing beach scenes. Famous as the location of the Talisker distillery, built in 1831, this is a perennially popular visitor’s destination. The Fairy Pools, lying at the foot of the Black Cuillan Mountains provide for hiking treks.

Skye’s bustling main town, Portree, provides a broader range of amenities and is around 23 miles away. Along with supermarkets, the town has an array of independent shops, including the Isle of Skye Candle Company - that doubles as the island's cinema and theatre -  Misty Isle Gin shop, and the bookshop, Carmina Gadelica. There are some brilliant restaurants too, including The Three Chimneys, Loch Bay, Edinbane, Kinloch Lodge and Scorrybreac.

Set amongst a traditional Highland crofting community, the area is rich in wildlife, such as otters and pine martens, the tip of the island is a haven for birds of prey including nesting sea-eagles and golden eagles. On occasion, the minke whale and basking shark can be spotted.

The surrounding ancient landscapes are arresting backdrops for outdoor pursuits like walking, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, fossil hunting and sunset admiring. The house is ideally located for mountain climbing and the hill roads in and around Carbost and Fiscavaig are great natural cycling routes.

There is a primary school in Carbost and the island's high school is in Portree. The school buses start and stop at the top of The Passing Place's driveway.'

Skye is connected to the mainland by a free road bridge. Inverness, with regular rail services and flights to London and other UK and European destinations, lies 73 miles to the northeast. Fort William is a gateway to the islands and sits 67 miles southeast. There is also a bus service connecting Carbost to Glasgow and Inverness. Uig, around 45 minutes’ drive north, has a ferry terminal serving the Western Isles; a gateway to the isles of Harris, Lewis and the Uists.

Council Tax Band: E