This page is a true miscellany of detailed information for potential customers, guests due to arrive and guests already staying here with us. There are details of the contents of a shepherd‘s hut, and the Big Shed and the Summerhouse are briefly mentioned. There are directions to us and a list of facilities available nearby. We introduce you to our own pets, and finally there is a short list of some of the awards we have received and the organisations we have been involved with.
In your shepherd hut
- double bed
- luxurious pure linen bedding
- towels
- kettle, tea and coffee supplied
- cups and glasses
- fridge
- sink, hand basin with running water and hand soap
- under-bed space for luggage
- USB sockets
- 4G coverage with the EE and ‘3’ networks
- DVD player and a movie library
- wood-burning stove
- electric thermostatic heater
- hot water bottle
- electric blankets
- fan
- blackout blinds
- torch (US: flashlight)
- pet blanket for use on the bed
The area around each hut is fenced for your pet‘s safety. There are three steps up into the huts, not wheelchair-accessible
Bathroom facilities
Two bathrooms, external to your huts, each just a short walk away. One bathroom is inside the Big Shed and the other bathroom is right next to the Big Shed.
- each bathroom has a power shower
- modern flushing toilet
- towels supplied
- robes and toiletries provided
In the Big Shed
The Big Shed cabin is a communal area. There is a lounge area with sofas, and a kitchen with a dining table. Its use is included in your package. The well-equipped kitchen has:
- a range cooker
- microwave
- dishwasher
- your own fridge
- utensils
- pots and pans
- plates
- cutlery
- mugs
- glasses
- cafetières and a teapot
There are also:
- two bathrooms, one for each hut, each with a shower
- a herb garden
- electric heating
- guide books and maps
- DVD movie library
- a selection of postcards to buy
- an outside dog shower
- a dog first-aid kit. See also our vet’s location below.
- a recycling station
We allow dogs in all areas, but please check that other guests are happy with this arrangement. Thank you. Please use throws provided for pets on the sofas.
The Summerhouse
With expansive views of the sea and the distant mainland mountains of Cnòideart (Knoydart), the Summerhouse is a little sanctuary - the perfect wee place to experience the peace and serenity of our location. It has seating for four people, a heater to keep off the chill, electricity and lighting, and an all-glass frontage to maximise the view. Read a book, the Sunday paper, or just watch the world go by. In Heasta, life consists mainly of the natural world plus some sheep and cattle, rather than the hustle and bustle of modern life. You may see the sights and sounds of village life too if the local crofters (farmers) are using their sheep dogs to round up the sheep. It can be so interesting to watch. Bring binoculars if you have them, as this is the perfect spot to make good use of them! We regularly see deer, eagles and many birds of prey, along with numerous other birds no longer found quite so often in other parts of the UK, from the tiny Jenny wren to the crazy cuckoos.
Contact details
email: janet@skyeshepherdhuts.co.uk,
mobile: +44 7580559745.
Postal address: Skye Shepherd Huts, Heasta, Isle of Skye IV49 9BN
Finding us, and maps
When you reach the village of Heasta, we are the very first property, on your right, high above the road. We share a driveway entrance with a red-roofed house. This entrance is opposite the road sign for a twenty miles per hour speed limit. Follow signs for Skye Shepherd Huts. Parking is signed outside our white house.
See our location in Google Maps and using What3Words. For your satnav, enter the postcode for Heasta: IV49 9BN. The postcode IV49 9BN is for the whole village, so please follow the instructions above to find us, as your satnav using the postcode will take you much too far down into the village. If you are driving from the south to the Skye Bridge, make sure that your satnav is set to ‘no sea/ferry crossings’ so that you will not be taken the wrong way to the ferry at Mallaig.
Breakfast basket
A breakfast basket is available to order at the time of booking, and it provides supplies for two people. You are given your basket at the beginning of your stay for you to prepare at a time that suits you each morning. With an emphasis on local, organic, high quality produce, it is sure to give you a great start to your day. Ingredients are for a cooked breakfast with local free range eggs, from my own hens when available. It also includes:
- fresh and dried fruit
- yoghurt
- muesli
- milk
- orange juice
- cheeses and oatcakes
- croissants
- homemade bread
- marmalade and butter
Dietary alternatives are happily catered for. Please do let us know at the time of booking.
About Heasta
Heasta is a remote settlement, four miles to the south of the village of Broadford. If you are looking for peace and tranquillity, Heasta is perfect. Once you have taken the turning for Heasta, it is about fifteen minutes’ drive to Skye Shepherd Huts, over high moorland with stunning views.
Our elevated position affords amazing views across the sea looking east to the Mainland Mountains of Cnòideart (Knoydart), to the south across Loch Eiseort (Loch Eishort), and out to the south west, the Island of Rùm rises out of the Atlantic Ocean. High above us to the west is the mountain Beinn nan Càrn ‘the mountain of the cairns’. With binoculars you can see three or so cairns (piles of stones) on the very top. A moderate-difficulty walk up to the top reveals astonishing 360° views, including views of the ‘red’ and ‘black’ Cuillin mountains (An Cuiltheann), with Blà-Bheinn to the West, and Beinn na Caillich to the North, which towers over Broadford.
Broadford and local facilities
Whilst Heasta is remote and quiet, the village of Broadford (An t‑Àth Leathann) is only fifteen minutes away, with:
- a variety of shops
- supermarket
- 24-hour petrol station
- fish and chip shop
- cafés
- restaurants
- hotels
- post office
- pharmacy
- doctors’ practice
- hospital with a 24-hour emergency department
The lovely Misty Bottle beer and whisky shop is not far away. A visit is recommended.
Our vet is on the main road, opposite the Heasta road end, close by the ‘Claymore’ seafood restaurant and bar.
Our donkeys
Our original two donkeys were called Gilbert and George, and came here as foals in 2012. It was with great sadness that we had to report that George became ill with a sudden short illness and passed away in . We were seeking a new companion for Gilbert for several months, and in June we were happy to report that we had succeeded in finding ‘Arthur’, who arrived on . Gilbert and Arthur seem to get along well, but it is early days still.
If you visit with your dog, we usually have a supervised nose to nose introduction between your dog and the donkeys, as they are very curious creatures. A quick sniff is all it takes, then they will potter off to eat more grass. They should not bother your pet after that. If you want to feed the donkeys, please only offer a carrot or apple. You must be careful of your fingers as donkeys can be pretty quick to take treats from your hand. We are happy to stand with you while you feed them if you prefer.
Our cats
We have two cats, Thomas and Pangur Bán, but the one that guests without dogs will be most likely to meet is Thomas. He comes to greet many visitors and will sometimes try to get into your hut for some cuddles. He can be overly friendly, so when you have had enough of him, do just put him out. He has a cat door into the house and into the barn.
Pangur Bán is a house cat, and you will be unlikely to see him. Although he is initially a little wary of strangers, he soon warms up if stroking is offered and he then soon becomes very fussy.
Our hens
We have several hens, who you will see pottering around the place, enjoying being free-range during the day. Their eggs, when available, are included in your breakfast basket. Please do not feed the hens your food scraps. Ask Janet for a portion of hen food if you wish to feed them.
Liùsaidh
Liùsaidh is a small rescue dog from Romania, and she came to us from the charity All Dog and Cat Rescue Scotland in March 2025. She is extremely affectionate and she will get on very well with visitors’ dogs provided that they are also friendly.
Our awards and partner organisations
A selection of organisations that we have worked with:
- Trip Advisor has awarded us a certificate of excellence on several occasions
- We achieved a Bronze level Green Tourism award
- We have our blog on Facebook. Follow us for news of Skye Shepherd Huts and Skye
- We publish images on Instagram. Follow @skyeshepherdess for lots more pictures
- Canopy and Stars resells our accommodation