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Gavin Maxwell Cottage

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Gavin Maxwell Cottage, Eilean Ban, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye
Gavin Maxwell Cottage, Eilean Ban, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye
Gavin Maxwell Cottage, Eilean Ban, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye
Gavin Maxwell Cottage, Eilean Ban, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Garden
  • Fireplace
  • Non-smoking

Explore the area

View map
Eilean Ban, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye
  • Place, Bright Water Visitor Centre
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Caisteal Maol
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Skye Bridge
    ‪3 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Bedroom

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Gavin Maxwell Cottage

Imagine having your own six acre island and staying in the former home of the classic author, Gavin Maxwell.. All on the Ground Floor:

Living room: TV, Freesat, DVD Player, CD Player, Woodburner

Kitchen/dining room: Electric Oven, Electric Hob, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Dishwasher, Washing Machine

Bedroom 1: Double (4ft 6in) Bed

Bedroom 2: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds

Bathroom: Bath With Shower Over, Toilet. Electric central heating, bed linen and towels included. Initial fuel for wood burner included. Accessible toilet available on request.. Private parking for 2 cars (designated parking place adjoins private gate with short walk down well maintained stone path to the cottage). No smoking. Please note: There is a trolley available for transporting luggage inside the property, please return it to where it belongs. Young children require supervision at all times due to the close proximity to the sea.. Imagine sharing part of a private island and staying in the former home of Gavin Maxwell, author of the classic book "Ring of Bright Water". Gavin Maxwell Cottage on Eilean Ban situated between Kyleankin on Skye and the Kyle of Lochalsh, on the Scottish mainland, has this unique claim to fame. Once only accessible by boat, after the building of the Skye Bridge this former lighthouse keeper’s cottage is now accessed via a private door on the side of the Skye Bridge.

Eilean Ban (Gaelic for White Island) is six acres of pure heaven with part of it being situated directly under the Skye bridge. Small stone paths meander around the island with colourful shrubs, herbs, heathers and wild grasses covering the hillsides. Gavin Maxwell was one of the foremost authors of wildlife books of the last century, and now his legacy can be enjoyed by all. the island boasts a wonderful array of wildlife. There are frequent sightings of otters, seals and pine martin, as well as occasional dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and Minke whales, together with an array of seabirds.



This property is on the sea front. Initial supply of fuel for wood burner included during winter months, thereafter available locally at cost.

HI31298F

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Outdoor space
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
The guest will be charged 50% amount for a cancellation after the reservation is made.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number HI31298F

About the area

Kyleakin

Located in Kyleakin, this cottage is in a rural area. Giant MacAskill Musuem and Applecross Photographic Gallery are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Caisteal Maol and Eilean Donan Castle.
Map
Eilean Ban, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye

What's nearby

  • Bright Water Visitor Centre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Caisteal Maol - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Skye Bridge - 3 min drive - 1.7 km
  • Eilean Donan Castle - 21 min drive - 20.8 km
  • Armadale Ferry Terminal - 36 min drive - 41.0 km

Getting around

  • Kyle Of Lochalsh Station - 8 min drive
  • Inverness (INV) - 134 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lean To Coffee - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Waterside Restaurant - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Plockton Inn - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Red Skye Restaurant - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪King Haakon - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Gavin Maxwell Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Gavin Maxwell Cottage?

As of 13 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gavin Maxwell Cottage on 2 Jan 2027 start from AU$179, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Gavin Maxwell Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gavin Maxwell Cottage?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Gavin Maxwell Cottage located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Bright Water Visitor Centre and Caisteal Maol. Skye Bridge is 1.2 mi (2 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Eilean Ban Fans

Our third stay here and already planning our fourth, we completely agree with the recent reviewer th

Our third stay here and already planning our fourth, we completely agree with the recent reviewer that it's a privilege. To quote one of the trustees I had the pleasure of meeting this time, other guesthouses are available... but none like this. Such a special place.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Eric Monk

A lovely cottage in a lovely location.

A lovely cottage in a lovely location. Spectacular views and wildlife. We heard but sadly didn't see the otters.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Christine Maurath

This charming cabin is a true retreat for those looking to completely disconnect from the modern wor

This charming cabin is a true retreat for those looking to completely disconnect from the modern world. Situated on a small island, surrounded by a lush garden with stunning views of the sea, the tranquility here is unmatched. The house, though old, retains all the charm of the 70s and 80s, offering a nostalgic and cozy experience. However, if you need to stay connected, it might not be the ideal place, as there is no Wifi, and the signal kindly shared by the caretaker was quite weak. Despite this, it was a true privilege to stay in this tiny paradise, enjoying a complete disconnection on a tiny island that gave us unforgettable moments.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra Bartlett

A wonderful little house, in a totally unique and beautiful spot.

A wonderful little house, in a totally unique and beautiful spot. We loved every moment here. The house is very comfortable and cosy, with lovely vintage touches and artwork. I loved the retro rug in the hallway. The sofa looks uncomfortable from the photos, but it is actually ok, and anything is better than the black leather so often seen in cottages now. (I will avoid a house with black leather sofas as they are cold and have no soul, and the rest of the house is usually the same - grey everywhere - eww)The house has character and warmth and I would love to come back. I really hope I will some day. Oh - and although there is no wifi (my husband won’t usually even consider a house with no wifi) there is good 4G. We had a good signal all week.

About the host

Hosted by Cottages.com

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Cottages-com is home to a number of unique, inspiring collections, curated by our cottage experts. Each collection within the family offers something different, so that all holidaymakers can find the perfect break, wherever it may be and whatever they are looking for. As our name suggests, we love everything about cottages and cottage holidays. We’re here to help you choose from over 23,000 independently vetted holiday properties, not just in the UK, but across France, Ireland and Italy, too.

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