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704 reviews

The Thistle Guesthouse

The Thistle Guesthouse

Garalapin House 1-2 Garalapin, Portree, IV51 9LN, United Kingdom

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Free Private Parking

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Free toiletries

Garden

View

The Thistle Guesthouse

Nestled just 2.9mi from the charming heart of Portree, The Thistle Guesthouse offers a delightful escape in the United Kingdom's scenic landscapes. This cozy 3-star bed and breakfast is the perfect retreat for travelers seeking comfort with a touch of fun, boasting a private entrance and scenic garden views that invite you to unwind and explore. With 704 glowing reviews, guests rave about the warm atmosphere, friendly staff, and a kid-friendly buffet that makes families feel right at home.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast in the peaceful garden picnic area or enjoy free Wi-Fi while planning your adventures. The inn emphasizes a relaxing adults-only environment, but also caters to families with kids' meals and kid-friendly amenities—making it a versatile choice for various travelers. Secure your spot with free private parking on-site, so you can explore Portree and beyond without a hitch.

Prices start at a budget-friendly minimum, perfect for those looking to indulge in a memorable Scottish getaway without breaking the bank. Situated at Garalapin House on 1-2 Garalapin, this charming hideaway ensures a non-smoking, pet-free experience, blending comfort and convenience seamlessly. Come discover the warmth of The Thistle Guesthouse—a cozy haven where every stay feels like home!

After a day of exploring the stunning Isle of Skye, return to The Thistle Guesthouse and unwind in the inviting garden, where you can sip a calming tea or simply soak in the serene views. The cozy ambiance coupled with the friendly staff makes every evening feel like a warm hug. Whether you're sharing travel stories over a delicious breakfast or enjoying a quiet evening in, this cottage provides the perfect backdrop for memorable moments.

While the inn emphasizes a relaxing and family-friendly environment, it also offers a touch of Scottish charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. The lush garden and well-maintained outdoor spaces invite guests to breathe in the fresh Highland air, making it an ideal spot for leisurely walks or outdoor photo sessions. Plus, with free Wi-Fi, you can keep your loved ones updated or share your adventures in real-time while surrounded by the peaceful landscape.

For those packing light or eager to keep things simple, the accommodation is set up to make your stay hassle-free—just remember, payment is only accepted in cash, so come prepared! The inn's charming location, welcoming vibe, and budget-friendly prices make it a fantastic choice for travelers eager to experience the beauty of Skye without the fuss. Pack your bags, bring your smile, and enjoy all the cozy comforts this delightful cottage has to offer!

Closest airports

Benbecula Airport

40.8mi

Barra Airport

52.2mi

Stornoway Airport

54.6mi

Most popular amenities

Free Private Parking

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Free toiletries

Garden

View

Rooms

Guest reviews

9

704 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇦🇺

Arlene

10

May 2024

The guesthouse was well located for all activities and places to eat. The guesthouse was very clean and we had a lovely breakfast. Jane and Jordan who were our hosts do an excellent job of running this property and making you feel so welcome. They are an irreplaceable asset to this guesthouse. We wish them all the best of everything. Highly recommend a stay at this guesthouse. You won’t be disappointed.

Loved everything.

🇨🇦

Amanda

10

April 2024

My top three are the kind hosts, the daily breakfast, and the shower! The bed was also very comfortable and room suitable space for just me (I booked the single). The other guests were also very courteous about quiet hours, which I appreciated! (fantastic water pressure and temp)

I honestly can’t think of anything. Highly recommend.

🇺🇸

Iverson

10

June 2025

Hosts prepared delicious breakfast each morning, and we took advantage of the bag lunch option for one day. The sandwiches, fruit and biscuits were perfect after a morning hiking at the fairy pools! Our room for 3 was a decent size and seeing the sheep with their lambs right outside our window was a bonus! We would definitely stay again! It is a bit outside Portree, so be prepared for rural Scotland driving, i.e., sharing the road with cows and sheep! Of note: they don't allow eating in the rooms and there's no place to prepare your own food. Since we ate dinner fairly early, we did okay not having reservations anywhere in Portree. However, it would be best to make reservations well in advance if you absolutely want to try a particular restaurant.

🇮🇲

Joanne

9.1

April 2025

The property looked like the photos and was decorated in a nice modern style. It has a lot of parking space outside. We rented three rooms and they were all very clean/ well looked after. The downstairs twin room was the best room and probably had the most space. The upstairs double room was a decent enough size for a few days. The single room was quite a bit smaller, the bathroom especially, but it was ok short term. Breakfasts were included in the price and all were cooked freshly and delicious. We enjoyed being in the shared dining room with other guests. There is a good choice of food options available. Hosts Jayne and Jordan couldn’t have been friendlier or more welcoming. They really made the stay more memorable and were ready to help/ give advice on any question we had!

The beds weren’t terribly uncomfortable but they could perhaps benefit from a soft topper to improve the comfort. The road leading up to the property is tight but thankfully does have passing places. We Googled it before arriving and were prepared (as we had a big Tourneo van). It’s quite far up the road but still close to Portree. The walls are quite thin so you can hear people talking or shutting doors etc in the next room. There are signs up around the house with quiet times in the evening, but obviously some guests aren’t always as considerate.

🇬🇧

Victoria

10

April 2025

The guesthouse is located up in the hills about a 10 drive from the centre of Portree, so you need a car if you are staying there, but this is what adds to the charm of the place. Stunning views and the night sky is perfect for stargazing or even catching the northern lights . The rooms are lovely cosy and warm with charming little extras that make it feel like the owners have put extra effort to make to personalise your stay, like using lovely soap , hand creams and toiletries made from local highland ingredients , leaving teas , coffees and biscuits in your room each day . Jayne and Jordan who run the place are very warm and friendly and are always pleased to give suggestions and advice about trips out , hikes , local scenery and good places to spot the northern lights. The breakfast was fantastic, so much choice and all freshly made . There is a full cooked breakfast as well as vegetarian available with choice of delicious Scottish porridge with cinnamon , Salmon and eggs as well as a choice cereals , fruit, yoghurts and fruit juices . We really where spoilt for choice at breakfast time and nothing is too much , you can pick and chose breakfast foods and the time you want it . The atmosphere is lovely and homely with great views from the breakfast room , which can also be used throughout the day and evening as a communal room with books and games . We stayed for 2 nights and managed to fit in a hike up Old man Storr , fairy pools and Fairy glen as well as spending some down time near a waterfall about 10 minutes walk from the B n B and some time in the pubs and harbour or Potree. I would recommend booking for a meal in Portree but it is expensive with not much variety of food. The chippy by the harbour is superb , although this had a 45 minute wait, but we where able to order then go off for a walk around the shops , boats and stop for a whiskey ( made on the Isle of Skye) while we waited . The weather was glorious so we where happy with picnics and bbq’s.

It’s was perfect and exactly what we where looking for , quiet , cosy and atmospheric. One suggestion that we thought would make this place amazing would be to have an outdoor hot tub to star gaze at night.

🇪🇸

Teresa

10

October 2024

The place was excellent, just 10 minutes from protree, and the views… I don’t have words to describe it The pair who lives there was soooooo kind and helpful, they’ll answer all our doubts about what places to visit and how, and give us a lot of recommendations! The have the offer for breakfast and lunch and, for the price it’s A LOT of food and suuuuper tasty, you have varios options to choose from They save our life’s with the packed lunch I can only recommend them :)

🇬🇧

Kelly-louise

10

October 2024

When we first arrived, we were greeted by Jayne(the host). Very lovely lady who helped us with checking in. Plenty space to park outside the Guest house. Our room was very lovely, clean and tidy. We had an ensuite toilet with shower which was very modern and again clean. I forgot to take a picture, but had lovely pictures and the view was lovely as well. The lounge and dining room are beautifully set out. The Guesthouse is about 8 minutes out from Portree centre. If you want to get a taxi, I recommend BWS Taxis. Brian and his son are both really lovely and helpful. Their prices are reasonable as well. They got us into Portree and back again. In the morning, we had a lovely hot shower, then headed down for breakfast. We were greeted by both hosts, Jordan and Jayne. The full cooked breakfast was delicious. We asked for Hash Brown with ours which they accommodated despite it not being on the menu. The poached egg was cooked to perfection and the Mushroom was outstanding(I would easily eat more of those). It kept us going all day. The hosts were amazing and if it hadn't been for Storm Ashley paying a visit, we were going to make a day of it on the Island. Unfortunately, we had to head back to mainland. Summary This charming guesthouse comes highly recommended. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making you feel right at home. You'll appreciate the attention to detail and the cozy accommodations. This guesthouse is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day. Don't hesitate to book your stay – you won't be disappointed! Nothing is too much for Jayne and Jordan. Great Hosts.

The bed was a little harder than I am used to, but that is a very minimal complaint and would still stay here again easily.

🇺🇸

Dawn

10

June 2024

The property is pretty secluded on a narrow road, we were splendidly amazed at the remoteness of it, and the feeling of being in the Scottish Highlands - just wonderful! Check in was a breeze. Info was in an envelope in the foyer, we had no problems. Jayne met us as we were going into our room and helped us with additional helpful details. She was very pleasant and even helped with tips on hikes to the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. Our room (#7) was fabulous! We had a great view of fields and mountains with a bonus of some horses out back. The room was clean and very comfy. The breakfast was wonderful. You order what you want and it's ready for you the next morning. Both Jayne and Jordan were very attentive to their guests. We even heard Jordan singing Elton John's 'Tiny Dancer' as he cooked - added bonus! We would absolutely positively stay here again and again and again!

🇺🇸

Doyle

8.2

October 2024

The property is in the countryside, out of the hustle and bustle of Portree. My room was very small but there was a lounge for use by guests in the evenings. The hosts were nice and helped me find a quiet walk. The breakfast was very good. Ensuite bathroom was good as well.

The double bed in the single room was nice but left little space for moving around, so I bumped my head a few times. The single track road to the guest house was scary driving at night (although fine during daytime).

🇨🇭

Veronique

10

August 2025

We had a wonderful stay! The accommodation was very clean, comfortable, and well-equipped with everything we needed. The location was perfect – with a perfect view on the landscape. Our host was extremely kind and helpful, always available for any questions. We really felt at home and would definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Portree. Thank you for the great experience!

Points of Interest Around The Thistle Guesthouse

Attractions

Fairy Glen (Faerie Glen)

11.4mi

Isle of Skye

12mi

Kilt Rock

13.2mi

Quiraing

14.1mi

Trotternish Ridge

16mi

Bealach na Bà Pass

24.6mi

Eilean Donan Castle

30mi

Amenities of The Thistle Guesthouse

Free Private Parking

Parking On Site

Non-smoking rooms

Free toiletries

Garden

View

Stay rules - The Thistle Guesthouse

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property