Manuela’s Wee Bakery Scotland – How to Visit near Eilean Donan

Manuela’s Wee Bakery is a hidden gem just inches away from the iconic Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich. 

Often described as ‘Hansel & Gretel meets Braveheart’, this fairytale bakery in Scotland is one you simply cannot miss.

You can grab a coffee, baked goods to go, some fairytale gin that is distilled on-site, and even indulge at Pizza Jo’s in the evening. 

Here is a complete guide to Manuela’s Wee Bakery in Scotland and how to visit this fairy foodie storybook location in Ardelve, Kyle.

What is Manuela’s Wee Bakery?

Manuela’s Wee Bakery is a fairytale location hidden away near Loch Duich in Ardelve in Kyle of Lochalsh. 

It is owned by a German family: Thomas Gottwald, Manuela Kohne-Gottwald and their daughter Jolene Kohne. 

They travelled to Scotland, fell in love and in 2013 found the ideal place to create a foodie haven straight out of the pages of a storybook.

Together, they have created a magical place that has a cosy bakery, gin distillery, fairy shop and pizza cabin.

It’s a magical location that you must not miss when visiting Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

Where is Manuela’s Wee Bakery in Scotland?

Manuela’s Wee Bakery is located in Ardelve in Kyle and Lochalsh in Scotland and is just a five-minute drive away from the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. 

Most tourists who are driving to the Isle of Skye on a road trip will be travelling on the A87 road that leads you straight there.

After you have passed Eilean Donan Castle, keep heading straight over the bridge and past the Dornie harbour viewpoint.

You’ll eventually see a sign for ‘Bakery 300m’ and Ardelve on your left. 

Turn left and head down this road, and you’ll see the parking for Manuela’s Wee Bakery on your right. You’ll see a big road sign for it. 

It’s the perfect stop for some breakfast, lunch, or dinner after a visit to Eilean Donan Castle. 

Things to do at Manuela’s Wee Bakery

So, what is there to do at this fairytale bakery when you get here?

Well, there is actually quite a bit, which makes it the perfect road trip pitstop. 

You’ll love exploring this storybook location as you can find coffee, baked goods, fairytale gin, and even pizza in the evenings.

Here are all the things to do at Manuela’s Wee Bakery in Scotland. 

1. Visit the bakery

So, of course, the main reason most people visit is to purchase some yummy baked goods at the fairytale bakery.

It is takeaway only, and you’ll be choosing through their window, but there are lots of freshly baked goodies to choose from.

You’ll find artisan bread loaves, cheese rolls, fruit buns, Nutella croissants, and the most wonderful sweet cookies at Manuela’s.

The cookies are not traditionally round, and they look a little like pizza subs, but they are SO delicious.

I had the pear and vanilla cookie, which had crumbly pieces on top, and it was divinely paired with a freshly brewed coffee. 

You cannot sit inside the bakery, but there is lots of outside seating and picnic benches that you can perch on. 

2. Have coffee from their Fairy Shop 

Coffee is a good friend on long Scottish road trips, and Manuela’s Wee Bakery have some freshly brewed coffee for a pick-me-up.

They serve it in their cute wee Fairy Hut at the bakery, which also has some of their Scottish gin to purchase that they distil on-site.

You’ll also find some postcards, gifts, cakes, and sweetie bags – all protected by fairies, of course.

3. Fairytale Distillery Tour 

The Fairytale Distillery is located at the back of Manuela’s Wee Bakery and distils a magical and tasty Scottish Highland Gin.

You can see the little fairy huts hard at work here, and I loved the sign that said ‘if there is no gin in heaven, I’m not going‘.

You can arrange a tour which includes a tasting with them. If not, it’s well worth purchasing a bottle at their Fairy Shop to take home. 

4. PizzaJo to Go

On Tuesday – Saturday evenings, you can find freshly made pizza at PizzaJo’s to Go here at Manuela’s Wee Bakery.

The pizza hut sits just beside the bakery and serves up pizzas from 5 pm – 9 pm.

You do have to ring ahead with your order, but it’s a great place to have dinner after a visit to Eilean Donan Castle.

5. Magical surprises

Aside from the shops, there are so many magical things hidden around this site.

You’ll find dragons, witches, gargoyles, faeries, and all sorts of magical creatures in abundance. It is really like a storybook here.

My favourite building was actually their loo. The Wee Room is such a cute little witchy house that sits just outside of PizzaJo’s.

You do have to ask for a key to use the toilets, and it’s for paying customers only, but it’s honestly adorable. The perfect place for a photo.

How to get to Manuela’s Wee Bakery in Scotland

It’s easiest to drive to Manuela’s Wee Bakery as it’s in quite a remote location in Ardelve in the Kyle of Lochalsh region.

If you were looking to get the bus, there are CityLink buses that make a stop at Ardelve/Eilean Donan (Dornie Bridge).

These services run from Glasgow and Fort William to Uig on the Isle of Skye and vice versa.

The CityLink buses make a stop at both Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin, so you can travel easily from both locations with a couple of daily services.

Just remember to plan your journey and to book onward transport – it’s essential. You don’t want to get stranded, or it’s a long walk back. 

Manuela’s Wee Bakery parking 

There is free parking just outside the fairytale bakery in Scotland for customers.

You can park on the gravel as you enter, and there are some logs that separate the parking spaces.

There are only six parking spaces, so it can get quite busy in the peak season.

Alternatively, there is some roadside parking outside if it’s full. But remember to park with consideration. 

Manuela’s Wee Bakery opening times

Manuela’s Wee Bakery is open from:

• Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm
• Sunday: Closed

The Fairytale Shop with Scottish gin is open from 10 am – 5 pm, Monday to Saturday.

PizzaJo’s is open from 5 pm – 9 pm Tuesday to Saturday. It is closed on both Sundays and Mondays.

Visit Eilean Donan Castle

If you haven’t already, I recommend a visit to the breathtaking Eilean Donan Castle, located near this fairytale bakery.

This magical fortress is the most iconic image of Scotland for a very good reason.

It’s a gorgeous medieval keep sitting on the small island of Donan on Loch Duich, surrounded by mountains.

Its history dates back to the 7th century, but the castle we see today was built in the 14th century.

Fans of Highlander may recognise this, as it was used as a filming location.

A little tip: if you don’t want to go inside, visit late in the evening once the crowds have gone home. 

You can still walk around the castle on the island, and it’s completely free.

I visited around 8 pm and walked around Donan Island, and I had it all to myself. 

Another tip if you’re visiting when it’s busy is to head up to the Carr Brae Viewpoint, which is a short drive away above the castle.

From up here, you can get an incredible view of Eilean Donan on Loch Duich. No drone required.

Where to next in Scotland?

Most people make their way over to the magical Isle of Skye after Eilean Donan Castle.

This is a large island off the coast of Scotland which you can drive to over the Skye Bridge.

The Isle of Skye is full of magical attractions like the Fairy Glen, a magical place where you can climb up to the ruined Castle Ewen.

This is near the port town of Uig, where you can catch a CalMac Ferry to the Isles of Lewis & Harris with the famous Callanish Standing Stones. 

You can also visit the colourful houses in the harbour of Portree, explore Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, or climb up to the Old Man of Storr. 

The Fairy Pools are one of my all-time favourite hikes where you can visit magical, crystal-clear pools with a backdrop of the mountains.

Or, why not head to the uppermost edges of Skye by hiking the Quiraing or Neist Point?

There are so many mystical places to visit on this spectacular island that you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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