Artists’ working studios and galleries abound in every corner of the Isle of Skye. Working with every imaginable materials and mediums, a great number of artists and craft workers produce a phenomenal range of goods, both practical and ornamental. Spinners, weavers, sculptors, carvers, metal workers, photographers, tanners, potters, jewellers, bookbinders, furniture makers... the results of their skilful handiwork can be found all over the island. A few of Eddie and Shirley’s favourite places are listed below, but there are many more to be found on the Skye and Lochalsh Arts and Crafts Association website www.slaca.co.uk Their work makes wonderful, unique gifts to take home to friends and loved ones – or as personal souvenirs too, of course!

Beginning with a visit to Raven Press Gallery, a short step along the road from The Three Chimneys, Kathleen Lindsley is a wood engraver and illustrator. She prints from her minutely engraved wooden blocks, using an original Albion hand press on the premises. The finished prints are delicately detailed scenes that capture many aspects of the surrounding landscape and its wildlife.

In complete contrast, Diana Mackie, paints in oils at her cottage studio in Borreraig with its inspirational views of distant islands, the wild, open sea and ever-changing skies. Her work can be majestic. An interior design graduate as well as a skilled artist, Diana assisted Eddie and Shirley with the design of The House Over-By and some of her artwork adorns the walls of the restaurant and the rooms. The stained glass panels surrounding the entrance to The House Over-By were designed and handmade by Diana also.

The work of more local artists can be seen at The Three Chimneys, including an original monoprint trilogy of a wave made by Marion MacPhee. Marion grew up in Glendale, attending school with Eddie and Shirley’s children at Borrodale and Portree. She graduated from the Edinburgh School of Art as a print-maker. More of Marion’s work is exhibited at Orbost Gallery and also, at Dandelion Designs in Stein village. Orbost Gallery is yet another wonderful place to browse and admire the work of local artists, especially Marion Roberts, the owner, who paints beautiful island scenes in watercolour. The Croft Studio in Dunvegan is one of the most long-established working studios in the area, run by Don and Pamela Budge with Daisy Budge, Don’s mother, who still paints very fine landscapes, although she is now in her nineties. The Croft Studio produces a wide selection of work, including Pamela’s fantastic Celtic designs in the style of work found in the Book of Kells.

One of the more unusual places to seek out is the Three Camuslusta Gallery at Waternish. In a stunning location on the edge of the sea, it can only be reached by a 20 minute walk along the beach from Stein village. The gallery exhibits the work of some of the more contemporary local artists, including owner Judith MacLachlan’s very special pen and ink prints.

Watercolour artist Peter McDermott, has his gallery in one of the last houses on the island, a converted church in Sleat at the most southern end of Skye. Aird Old Church Gallery, is to be discovered where the road ends on the way to the Point of Aird. Described as capturing the essence of Skye, his unique work is also to be found at The Three Chimneys – in more ways than one! As well as being an internationally admired artist, Peter is a skilful graphic designer, responsible for creating The Three Chimneys logo, among many other things. As Eddie and Shirley’s design and marketing consultant, Peter has worked closely with them since the foundations of The House Over-By were laid in the winter of 1999. The brochure, leaflets and all print items associated with The Three Chimneys and The House Over-By were designed by Peter. His latest design for the company is this website! And of course, The Three Chimneys book would never have materialised without his vast design input, both creative and practical. The book has become a best-seller, a much-loved souvenir of a visit to Skye. Find out more on the Much More page.

Even the ladies’ loo at The Three Chimneys has become famous for the fantastic framed black and white photograph of a Hairy Heilan’ Coo. It is a great shot, taken by photographer Ken Bryan, much loved by many. Eddie and Shirley selected a number of Ken’s quirky black and white prints to decorate the corridors in The House Over-By. He and his wife Polly have a great deal more photographs on display at Three Herons Studio in Broadford. They also have a Gallery in north Skye displaying more of Ken’s fine art photographic prints, and Polly’s handmade textiles, pictures and cards.