Tigh Na Drochaid, Isle Ornsay, Isle of Skye

Designed by local architects Dualchas, this wonderfully conceived four-bedroom house stands on the Sleat peninsula, within the Isle of Skye's southern fringe. Its hardy rendered façades are set in artful contrast with light, crisp interiors spanning some 1,338 sq ft. Source materials for its design include warm and traditional Scottish crofts, along with the minimalist appeal of modernist Scandinavian styles. Outside, the house has a peaceful garden of around half an acre, which is in turn bounded by an embracing wooded burn.

The Architect

Dualchas was founded on Skye in 1996 by brothers Alasdair Stephen and Neil Stephen. Since its inception, the firm has sought inspiration from the local vernacular, spearheading cultural confidence and a contemporary renaissance in the architecture of the Highlands. Contextually driven, their projects work in harmony with the surrounding environment and landscape.

The Tour

The house is approached by a quiet road running between the large hub of Broadford, nine miles north, and the ferry port of Armadale, seven miles south. Its profile is embedded into the site, surrounded by wooded glades, rough, heather strewn pastures and rolling countryside.

A driveway shared with the neighbouring house leads to the garden and generous parking area. The building's profile has a minimal material palette and barn-like profile that nods to a stripped-back local building tradition. A glazed screen and black-rimmed windows punctuate planes of rendered white façade, while a crowning slate roof is contrasted with a shiny stainless-steel flue.

The front door lies on one side and leads into a utility and boot room, with generous runs of cupboards and drawers tucked neatly under a crisp white worktop. When required, this space can double as a back-kitchen - a testament to the design's versatility.

Beyond is a sociable open-plan kitchen, living and dining room. Rising to the roofline, this is an impressive space attuned to easy living. It receives a supreme quality of natural light from glazed doors that open onto a timber deck.

A seating area centres around a cosy wood-burning stove, with bespoke built-in storage on one side. The dining space and kitchen sit adjacent, the latter with simply detailed pistachio-coloured cabinetry.

Three of the four bedrooms are also on the ground floor; one at the southern end, the other two to the north accessed via a small inner hallway. All have leafy views over the garden and provide retreats for sleep, work and play. A smart shared bathroom completes the lower level.

Neatly positioned within the main living area is the staircase to the upper level, where - slotted within the roof space - a further double bedroom lies. Here, a pair of oversized skylights encase rural vistas and bathe this private space in a warm light. A generous shower room lies alongside.

Storage has been considered throughout, with several handy cupboards providing space to stow everyday items.

Outdoor Space

Visually anchored in its surroundings, the house sits on a tranquil plot of around half an acre. Skirted by a meandering burn, the garden abounds with natural grasses, shrubs and native trees; golden eagles, merlin, fly catchers and, on occasion, peregrines fly overhead. Great spotted woodpeckers are often heard tapping and and sheep can be spotted from time to time grazing the heathery banks.

At night, the deck is a wonderful spot to skywatch. Above is often ablaze with stars and, on occasion, Aurora Borealis, the Milky Way and noctilucent clouds.

There is a handy shed and store for piling logs in preparation for cosy winter fires.

The Area

Isle Ornsay lies midway between Broadford, a large settlement on the southern part of Skye, and Armadale, the ferry crossing point to Mallaig on the mainland; both can be reached within 15 minutes' drive. A local community shop, café, post office and gathering spot, An Crubh, is around a five minute walk away and provides for everyday needs, as well as the hub for excellent yoga classes.

There are several spots worth visiting in the immediate vicinity, including Hotel Eilean Iarmain, around a mile from the house, set right on the waterfront and home to a very welcoming local hostelry, Am Praban. Kinloch Ldoge is a seven-minute drive away, while Armadale Castle has stunning walks and can be reached in 15 minutes. Torabhaig - only the second-ever licensed distillery on Skye - is a five-minute drive from the house.

Broadford - with its breathtakingly beautiful coastal panoramas - givesprime opportunities for beachside walks, fishing and even spotting the odd native otters on the island. Shellfish Shack, adjacent to the Claymore Restaurant, is a great place to stock up on scallops and langoustine. Broadford is also home to the island's new hospital, which opened in 2022.

Portree, the bustling main town on Skye, is around 30 miles north-west. Along with supermarkets and day-to-day shopping, there is a cinema in the town’s information centre and an array of independent shops including the bookshop Carmina Gadelica. There are also several restaurants, such as Scorrybreac, serving up delicious local food.

We've written more about Skye in our residents' guide.

The mainland town of Kyle of Lochalsh, known as the gateway to Skye, lies just a 20-minute drive away. A bustling spot, it is handy for everyday shopping and is also home to three sea lochs which meet at the tidal castle Eilean Donan: Loch Alsh, Loch Duich, and Loch Long.

Sleat Primary School and Broadford offer local primary options and there are high schools found in Portree; a local mini-bus service takes children to this senior school. There is another high school in Plockton, a coastal town on the mainland, around six miles north of Kyle of Lochalsh.

Skye is connected to the mainland by a free road bridge. In terms of transport links, there is a bus service from Portree to Glasgow and Inverness. A train from Kyle of Lochalsh runs directly to Inverness.

Otherwise, it is approximately a two-hour drive to the city, where hour-long flights connect to London Luton and Gatwick respectively. There are also regular and sleeper trains from Inverness to London. Ferries from the island also go to Mallaig on the mainland and the nearby islands of Harris, Lewis and the Uists.

Council Tax Band: D