A modern hideaway on the Isle of Skye brags breathtaking views of Loch Bracadale

Where better to watch the sunset and the northern lights than the Isle of Skye’s Minginish Peninsula? This rugged stretch of coastline is the dramatic backdrop at The Passing Place – a modern moorland hideaway designed by Scottish practice, Rural House.

The Passing Place is part of the small hamlet of Fiscavaig, located on the western fringe of the Isle of Skye, and was built in 2017 by Rural House – a collaboration between local practice Rural Design and specialist timber house builder James MacQueen.

Its innovative, sustainable design riffs on West Highland agricultural vernacular with a Scandinavian modernist twist. Its barn-like design was constructed using a heavily insulated timber-framing system, created bespoke for the project to maximise energy efficiency, while an air source heat pump and whole house MVHR system ventilates the Scottish property year-round. Larch cladding covers the façade, giving it a silvery appearance that blends into the heather-covered moorland backdrop.

Photography: The Modern House

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The main living space is the light-filled living room, dining room and kitchen, with its trio of sliding glass panels that frame views of the Loch Bracadale. A woodburning stove is the focal point of the living room area, and in warmer months, doors slide open to the timber deck.

Three bedrooms can be found on the western side of the plan to capture sunset views, while a fourth (currently used as a study) is tucked into the eastern corner of the house beside the bathroom.

The Modern House is selling the unique island home for £455,000. It comes with a half-acre garden, currently home to a restored Airstream trailer, which is let by the owners as a self-catering holiday accommodation. It is available to buy via separate negotiation through the estate agent.

While Fiscavaig is a small settlement, even by Skye’s standards, it’s close to the village of Carbost, where there’s a hotel, bunkhouse, community shop, café, doctor’s surgery and post office. The main town of Portree, with its bustling high street, is around 23 miles away.