Ernie's Adventures

What’s The Cowshed like?

This boutique bunkhouse is like a hostel, but much more upmarket. Built on the site of a former maternity unit, it is tucked away on a hill above the village of Uig and boasts great views over the harbour. The Cowshed is perfectly located for exploring the Isle of Skye and from Uig, you can also catch ferries to Uist and Harris.

How dog-friendly is The Cowshed?

Good. While dogs are allowed inside the common areas of the bunkhouse – where you’ll find the dorm rooms with bunk beds – they are only allowed to stay in the luxury pods. These are located in a separate gated area, a short walk from the main building and car park. While no special provisions are provided for pets, the units do come with their own mini kennels, or ‘dog pods’.

Two of the seven cabins also have some enclosed outdoor space. These are very popular with dog owners so be sure to request one that is fenced-in when you book. Handily, you’ll also find a poo bin by the main entrance. There is an additional charge of £5 per pet per night, and up to two dogs are welcome to stay per pod.

Tell me more about The Cowshed

The peaceful, dog-friendly pods at The Cowshed allow visitors to go glamping in style. Each one of the cute wooden cabins has been cleverly designed to maximise every inch of space, and they also have underfloor heating, making them cosy all year round. We stayed in No.7, which had a double bed with soft white linen, a lounge area with sofa bed at the front and a cute table and chairs for two plus kitchenette (keep reading to find out more about the facilities).

A dinky wet room-style ensuite was tucked away at the back of the pod too. This was perfectly functional – but if you have a shower, expect the whole room to get soaked! Sadly, when we visited, the weather wasn’t good enough for us to enjoy the patio at the front of the cabin. But we did love opening the curtains in the morning to see sheep in the neighbouring field – memories we will treasure forever. We also loved all the local artwork on the walls.

The pods don’t have TVs or WiFi, encouraging guests to quite literally switch off and relax. But you will find both in the main bunkhouse, as well as an enormous woodburner, floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of those harbour views and squishy sofas. Guests will also find lots of maps and local information available both in the pods and bunkhouse – and there is plenty of car parking via a steep driveway.

What’s the food like at The Cowshed?

As a self-catering property, you’ll need to provide your own. The pods come with basic amenities such as fridges, microwaves and kettles but guests are welcome to use the kitchen in the bunkhouse, which wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury showhome. Tea, coffee and sugar are provided but if you haven’t brought anything else along for your stay, snacks and cupboard essentials such as pasta can be purchased at reception.

There are several great places to eat out locally, but you’ll need to be well organised. Tables at The Ferry Inn, which is home to a gorgeous Westie called Mac, get booked up weeks in advance but do support this independent family-run pub if you can because it’s really rather special. The food at The Uig Hotel is also excellent and has a real emphasis on local produce. Dogs are welcome in the bar areas at both venues.

Are there resident dogs at The Cowshed?

Yes, Thai the collie – and there’s even a resident cat called Duke. We didn’t meet either of them during our stay but they can often be seen pottering around, making friends with the guests.

Where are the best dog walks near The Cowshed?

Don’t miss the Fairy Glen, pictured above. This enchanting site, with its quirky ridged hills, has a reputation for being a place of wonder. But while the locals may tell you that fairies created the unusual mounds, in reality, they were formed over 100,000 years ago by landslides. You can walk to the Fairy Glen in about 30 minutes from The Cowshed. Alternatively, it’s a seven-minute drive. Parking costs £2 for two hours. A circular one-mile walk covers most of the site but dogs must be kept on-lead as sheep roam freely.

In the village, you will also find Uig Wood. The Cowshed team recommend three different walks around the site, which take in waterfalls, Shore Wood and Conan Glen on a mix of paved pathways and potentially muddy tracks. The routes are not too strenuous, taking between 10 and 30 minutes each, and you will find full details of them in the welcome pack at the pod. Alternatively, click here to see The Woodland Trust’s walking map of Uig Wood so you can start planning your adventures now.

What I loved about The Cowshed

The peaceful location, the clever design of the pods, the stylish bunkhouse

How to book The Cowshed

Dog-friendly pods start from £80 per night. For more information or to book, call 07917 536820 or visit The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse website.