At Café Cùil, Skye-born chef Clare Coghill offers a fresh, soulful take on Highland brunching – think oat porridge brûlée, smoked trout with tattie scones, or a cardamom bun with a cortado in hand. Housed in a bright, contemporary space with cliff-edge views, the café champions small-scale Scottish producers, right down to the specially-thrown ceramic cups shaped with sand from local beaches. 

Fancy a break from your hiking adventures, the Talisker Distillery will come as a welcome break. As the oldest operating distillery on the Isle of Skye, they certainly know a thing or two about a good whisky. The tours are immersive, in a location steeped with history, with spectacular views of the Cuillins, and plenty of taste-testing.

Snuggled at the foot of Ben Tianavaig, The Crofter’s House is a dreamy little hideaway just a two-minute stroll from Camustianavaig Bay, where seals, otters, and even sea eagles might pop by to say hello. The self-catering cottage is stylishly minimalist with a wood-burning stove, kitchen, and bike storage, yet Portree’s shops and restaurants are just five miles away.

A firm favourite in Portree and Inverness, Birch Coffee is a micro-roastery and bakery where serious beans meet Scandi-inspired calm. Sip single-origin espresso in soft-hued ceramics and watch the daily rhythm unfold – roasters humming, bakers folding buttery dough, locals lingering over pour-overs. Thoughtful and design-forward without trying too hard, Birch’s sleek interiors are designed by owner Niall Munro and brought to life with hand-crafted furniture using Scottish native timber.