The founders and creative directors behind SKYE by Brora – the lifestyle offshoot launched as part of Brora's 30th anniversary celebrations, bringing together clothing, homeware and handcrafted pieces inspired by travel and craftsmanship – divide their time between England and Portugal, drawing inspiration from both worlds. The faded tiles, woven baskets, wildflowers and sun-bleached landscapes of Portugal sit surprisingly naturally alongside Brora's softly bohemian sensibility and the rugged Scottish landscape its name alludes to.
In Portugal, their tastes skew resolutely local, where their days are punctuated with grilled fish in family-run seafood restaurants, wildflower-strewn streets, freshwater swimming spots hidden in the hills and basket shops piled high with woven treasures. Here, the pair share their favourite places across the country – from Sintra's fairytale palaces and the Algarve's sea caves to the simple pleasure of a proper pastel de nata eaten properly, washed down with fresh orange juice.
For someone who's never been to Portugal before: what's the very first place you'd take them?
Anywhere that serves a proper Portuguese Pastel de Nata and fresh orange juice or delicious clams and fish.
If you only had one day in Portugal and could only show someone three places, where would you take them – morning, afternoon and evening?
The west and south coastlines of Portugal have stunning landscapes and beautiful caves. It would have to be a refreshing morning swim on one of these beaches, followed by sunbathing and reading a book with lunch and dinner at a local seafood restaurant.
Complete this sentence: 'If you only see one thing in Portugal, make it…'
Pena Palace in Sintra or the Benagil beach caves.
What's your favourite place in Portugal that most visitors don't know about – but absolutely should?
Portugal has beautiful rivers and natural spring water waterfalls; most people stick to the beaches, but in the spring and autumn we love to explore the hiking trails in the hills and find freshwater places to swim.
Which three shops in Portugal do you always find an excuse to visit?
My favourite things to buy are books and stationery or something you pick up for your home. When I'm in Lisbon, I love the Portuguese homeware shop A Vide Portuguesa. Also, their sister shop Depozito which is full of artisanal Portuguese crafts and textiles. Livraria Bertrand in Chiado is supposedly the oldest bookshop in the world and is worth a browse – they have a wide variety of books in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Caza Das Vellas Loreta is also worth a visit, amazing handmade candles. A Outra Face da Lua or Malala Vintage for a little pre-loved haul.
Portugal is a huge producer of beautiful ceramics and while I have mostly picked mine up from random antique shops or reclamation yards, I can recommend Rice Marta Mantero (great shop) and Ceramica's Do Moinho (my favourite online). Rua Do Secador in Comporta is lovely for homeware bits, go to APURO and Le Shed.
Where do you go for a really good lunch and what do you order?
Cha Cha Cha in Olhao and I order most of their small plates. They do a delicious cheese salad where they grill the cheese in a fig leaf, the butter beans are also incredible.
For beachside lunch I love 2 Passos, broad bean salad and tiger prawns with black rice are my order; or Restaurant Sal in Comorta, I dream about their fish and clams.
You're splashing out on a hotel: where do you go?
Maybe Hotel Das Amoreiras in Lisbon or there are lots of nice hotels around Melides and Comporta. I've stayed around there a few times, there are beautiful beaches, great food and you can go to Cavalos na Areia and go horse riding through the rice fields, over dunes and onto the beach.
And for a pampering/wellness fix?
Portugal boasts of 300 days of sunshine a year. That's the greatest natural mood and vitamin D boost! There are also mud baths in the salt mines near Olhão in the south. You cover yourself in mud and jump into a saltlake where you float around until the mud comes off. It's pretty messy but your skin is soft like a baby's by the end.
Favourite local florist?
In Portugal I love to collect wildflowers, so I don't have a local florist. But in England where I live most of the time my boyfriend runs a British grown seasonal biodynamic flower company called Burnt Fen Flowers, so I get beautiful Tulips, Icelandic Poppies and Dahlia's from there delivered weekly.
Where do you go when you need a big view?
Marinha Viewpoint and the national park above it. I love to walk my dog around there and take in the cliffs and sea.
Finish this sentence: 'If you really want to experience Portugal properly, you should ___.'
Eat like a local Portuguese family in a restaurant with red plastic chairs, white paper tablecloths and laminated menus where you can order more food than you can eat for 20 euros a head.
Who is your ultimate local hero and why?
Every Easter it is a Portuguese tradition that the women of the villages go into the hills and gather wildflowers which they then spread in beautiful patterns all over the streets overnight. I go with my family to São Bras del Alportel on Easter morning to find these flower mosaics all over town and then the men of the village do an Easter procession to the church through the streets covered in flowers. It's quite a spectacle, but those women are my local heroes.
Portugal
What is the best time of year to visit Portugal?
Spring and early autumn are arguably the sweet spots: warm enough for swimming and beach days, but without the intense summer heat and crowds. April to June and September to October tend to offer the best balance.
Where should first-time visitors go in Portugal?
Lisbon, Sintra and the Algarve make an excellent introduction. Lisbon offers culture and food, Sintra brings romantic palaces and forested hills, while the Algarve combines dramatic coastline with brilliant seafood.
What food is Portugal most famous for?
Pastéis de nata are the obvious answer, but grilled fish, clams, octopus rice, piri-piri chicken and simple charcoal-cooked seafood are all central to Portuguese cooking. Small local restaurants often offer the best meals.
Is Portugal expensive compared to other European destinations?
Portugal remains more affordable than many parts of France, Italy or Spain, particularly when it comes to food and wine. You can still eat extremely well in traditional local restaurants without spending heavily.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Portugal?
The Algarve coastline is filled with extraordinary beaches and cave formations, including Praia da Marinha and Benagil. The west coast, meanwhile, offers wilder Atlantic scenery and excellent surfing beaches.
What should you buy in Portugal?
Ceramics, hand-painted tiles, woven baskets, linen, cork products and local food specialties all make wonderful souvenirs. Portugal's craftsmanship tradition remains incredibly strong.
Is Portugal good for wellness and slow travel?
Very much so. Beyond the beaches, there are thermal springs, hiking trails, mud baths, river swims and long, relaxed lunches that lend themselves naturally to slower travel.
What is a lesser-known Portuguese tradition visitors should experience?
The Easter flower carpet traditions in towns such as São Brás de Alportel are particularly beautiful, with local women decorating streets overnight using wildflowers before religious processions take place.
