Inside an amazing harbour front conversion

The first thing I noticed about Quayside was the ambience – the old-world charm and stunning views give the space a feeling of tranquillity and calm that hits you as soon as you walk through the door.

I had been living with friends on Skye when I moved to Portree to be closer to work, and I initially rented one of the three bedrooms at Quayside.

I knew instantly I wanted to live there by the sea, as it seemed like the perfect, quiet place for reflection, despite being located right on the bustling port.

This was at a time when buy-tolets didn’t really exist, so I did everything I could to purchase the property, and eventually managed to secure the deeds in 1997. My wages didn’t come close to getting a mortgage, so I raised the funds partly through credit cards and loans – that’s how much I wanted it!

Originally built around 1830, it’s a C-listed building in a conservation area, and everything was a bit outdated and worn-out when I got the keys.

The rooms were dark and small, and every space needed a total overhaul. Over the years, I knocked down walls, turned two rooms into one, made the kitchen larger, renewed the bathrooms, added an en-suite, and made the stair hallway larger and lighter.

However, while modernising, I made sure to bring original features into play, preserving the character and charm of the building.

I picked all the interior design myself, and I think the current finish would be described as boutique with touches of the countryside and coastline.

Luxury and comfort were key factors, as were authenticity and uniqueness, so there are no reproductions in Quayside, just antique items sourced from all over the UK and further afield.

I like using dark colours to add a brooding atmosphere to the home, while using mirrors to reflect the light that shimmers off the sea and into the property. The bathroom has a beautiful slipper bath, filled from wall mounted taps, and decadent underfloor heating, while the toilet and basin are a funky “egg pod” design from Geberit.

A lot of the furniture and small touches around the house are bespoke, including an Adirondack chair made from the staves of a whisky barrel, which sits in front of the roaring wood burning stove. One of my favourite spots in the property is by the window, where you can sit on an art deco reclining chair or leather club chair, both newly embroidered in Harris Tweed.

It’s a great place to watch the world go by – you can see fisherman bringing home their catch of the day, and I have also spotted otters, seals, even dolphins swimming around in the bay.

I spent 10 very happy years living at Quayside, and also ran it as a bed and breakfast, before moving out and turning it into a familyfriendly holiday apartment, which is available to rent, and for fellow members of the home-swapping site, Love Home Swap.

The space has undergone many changes over the years but I am delighted with the end results, and it’ll always feel like home.