Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a family room?
Both our rooms are large enough to site a temporary camp bed with a memory foam mattress. We can, with notice, arrange this and negotiate a rate for the additional guests (The cottage is limited to 8 guests as per Short Term Let Licence).
Do you accept credit or debit cards?
Payments can be made using our partner system ‘Square’. Cash is preferred and this enables us to keep costs as low as possible for guests.
What are the breakfast arrangements?
If you would like breakfast this can be ordered the day before at a cost of £10 per person per day. The breakfast provided is brought to your room on a tray. There is a fold away table in each room for the tray. Included is orange juice, cereals, yoghurts and a choice of hot smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs on toast, bacon and egg or sausage and egg. If you'd like something specific please let us know and we will try and acommodate you. We can serve breakfast between 0700-0900hrs.
Can I wash clothes?
For £10 you can have a washing machine load of clothes washed and dried for you. Anyone washing clothes in our sinks and hanging them to dry in rooms will immediately be asked to leave without any debate - forfeiting the remainder of their booking.
What's your deposit policy?
All bookings need to be paid in full and an invoice from our payment partner 'Square' will be sent to you. Please see our cancellation policy.
What's your cancellation policy?
31 days + full refund available, 30 – 15 days 50 % refund available, 14 days and less no refund available. These figures apply to the total booking price. You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance, even as a UK resident, as these policies are very affordable and will cover you against those unforeseen issues which may prevent you from travelling.
What is a Bed and Breakfast?
The main difference between a hotel and a B&B is that you will be staying in our home making the experience more informal and sociable than staying in a hotel. Our home is NOT a modern purpose built B&B but has history and character. We run Lighthouse Cottage and do all the work ourselves.
Can I use the kitchen to cook?
No. Insurance will not cover this but there is a microwave and fridge available for guests to use in the porch entrance to the cottage.
What are check in and check out times?
Check in 1600-2000 (6pm – 8pm) Strictly.
Check out by 0930 (9.30am) is greatly appreciated.
Do you allow dogs?
No. Dogs or any pets are not allowed at Lighthouse Cottage.
Can I check in after 8pm?
No. If you arrive after 8pm (2000hrs) you will forfeit your total booking. We strongly advise that you check in as early as possible ( 4pm / 1600hrs) and then come and go as you please.
Can I come with my children?
All guests must be over 18. Apologies but the structure of the cottage means energetic and loud children disturb other guests.
The Area
Earlish
Earlish is situated on the West coast of the Trotternish peninsula 14 miles North of Portree and 1.5 miles South of Uig (Vik or Uige meaning Bay from Norse).
We strongly recommend you to make a pre booking in one of the local restaurants as they get very busy and are usually booked up on your arrival day.
A small crofting settlement, Earlish has been inhabited by the Picts, Vikings and fought over by the Clans. More peaceful times exist today and it provides an excellent base for exploring all of Skye but especially the Trotternish ridge – a geological scar of landslides and cliffs extending from the north at Digg to the Storr Lochs further south.
The Fairy Glen provides a gentle walk through an area just outside Uig formed by miniature landslides which resembles a place time forgot.
Uig itself provides a brewery, pottery, restaurants, pubs, local shops and a post office in the way of amenities.
Uig is the main port providing access to the archipelago that is the Outer Hebrides (Harris and North Uist) via a Calmac ferry. Advance booking is highly recommended for travelling with a motor vehicle during the summer months.
Isle of Skye
The Island is some 50 miles from North to South and takes over an hour of constant driving. The capital is Portree and it is located on the East coast roughly in the mid spine of the Island.
Geologically Skye, like the whole of Scotland, formed from part of what is now North America.
Over millions of years our country detached and manoeuvred itself across the Atlantic and attached to England and Wales. Our recent history is rich including clan warfare, interminable battles and squabbles with our neighbour England, Jacobite Rebellion, highland clearances and further attempts by the Nationalist party to split from the United Kingdom and become independent.
Both Clan MacDonald and Clan MacLeod have their Clan Castles on the Island and are both well worth a visit.
The Island is also a fabulous destination for wildlife watching with the white tailed sea eagle accompanied by common buzzards, eagles, red kites, sparrow hawks, hen harriers and ospreys on the bird watchers list. There are also regular sightings of otters, seals, whales, dolphins and red deer on and around the island.
Skye is a world class destination for walkers and climbers. The Cullin Mountains are used by recreational and professional enthusiasts alike. The range offers 12 Munros – peaks above 3000ft (914m).
There are many other great walks on Skye too many to mention here but The Old Man of Storr, The Quiraing, Dun Caan and Ben Tianavaig to name a few.