A café, bakery and bookshop at Struan, with stained glass, velvet sofas and sourdough in almost everything.
In the small village of Struan, on the road along Loch Bracadale, a white harled house has Bog Myrtle Cafe, food, coffee, books painted across its gable window.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
Inside, the room is nothing like the outside suggests: dark green walls hung with fairy lights, mismatched tables, old velvet sofas, a riot of houseplants, tall stained-glass windows, and high stools at a picture window facing the sea.
The counter is crowded with cakes on glass stands, and the menu is short and carefully made: sourdough waffles with bacon and syrup, Turkish eggs, soup and thick sandwiches, and a Basque cheesecake that regulars come back for. Shelves of secondhand books line the walls, to read over a coffee or take home. It is a good stop on a wet day on the west coast, after Dun Beag or before the long road north to Dunvegan.
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Bog Myrtle opens longer than most on the island, from March to November.
Opening days and times change through the season; they are posted on its Instagram.
Opening hours
Their websiteEaten here? Tell others what to order and when to go, and the best go on this page with your name.
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In lockdown, Mania Pietrzak-Clarke, a teacher, and John Clarke-Pietrzak, a photographer, began baking bread and sourdough cinnamon rolls at home for their neighbours. That became the Skye Bakehouse, and in June 2023 they took over Bog Myrtle.
The café was redesigned in 2022 by the interior designer Banjo Beale, and people still come in with their phones out, asking if this is the Banjo Beale place.
Most of the redesign budget went on the big stained-glass windows, which carry the café's sea theme, the meeting of land and water.
The owners bake everything themselves, and sourdough goes into almost all of it: the bread, but also the scones, pastries, cinnamon rolls and waffles.
Most places here close from October to April. Bog Myrtle opens for longer, from March to November.
Between Talisker Distillery and Dunvegan Castle you’ll find this family-run café, which as well as stocking delectable home-bakes also doubles as an indie bookstore and a vintage outlet. All in a day’s work.
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New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on on SkyeIn Struan, by Loch Bracadale on the west coast of Skye.
Dun Beag BrochOne of the best-kept brochs on Skye, an Iron Age tower on a knoll above Loch Bracadale.Under a mile 1 min by road
Oronsay Island, UllinishA tidal island in Loch Bracadale, reached over a stony causeway from Ullinish.2 miles 3 min by road
Harlosh PointThe narrow, rocky end of Harlosh Island, on the west coast.7 miles 9 min by road
Talisker DistillerySkye's oldest working distillery, on the shore of Loch Harport since 1830.11 miles 15 min by road
Caora Dhubh Coffee CompanyA coffee shack and roastery opposite Talisker Distillery, over Loch Harport.11 miles 15 min by road
The Three Chimneys at TaliskerDining on the edge of Loch Harport, with the Cuillin behind.11 miles 15 min by road
Dun Ardtreck and Ardtreck Point LighthouseAn Iron Age fort on a rocky knoll above the sea, and a small white light on the point beyond.16 miles 22 min by roadPlaces to stay near the café, and when each is next free.
Skyewalker Hostel
Harlosh Black h
Skeabost House Hotel
The DunveganA day we have planned, with the drives worked out.
01Edinbane Pottery25 min by road
02Isle of Skye Candle Co30 min by road
03Skio Pottery5 min by road
04Skyeskyns20 min by road
05Skye WeaversThe end of the dayWe want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
The collections it is in and more on Skye.
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
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