About

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The Guesthouse

About the Guesthouse

This Victorian villa is set within extensive private grounds and enjoys uninterrupted views over Loch Linnhe and beyond to the Ardgour Hills from its elevated position.


Crolinnhe Guest House was originally built for the Sherriff of Fort William in 1882. The villa was then purchased by the British Aluminium Company LTD who opened up the Lochaber aluminium smelter based on the north side of Fort William in 1929 for use by their managers.


The company split the house into upper and lower conversions, and if you look at the charcoal painting in the guest lounge, you can see the stairs that ran up the back of the house to the first-floor apartment. 

The Story

ABOUT THE GUESTHOUSE

This Victorian villa is set within extensive private grounds and enjoys uninterrupted views over Loch Linnhe and beyond to the Ardgour Hills from its elevated position.


Crolinnhe Guest House was originally built for the Sherriff of Fort William in 1882. The house was later brought by the British Aluminium Company British Alcan, who opened up the Lochaber Aluminium Smelter based on the north side of Fort William in 1931 for use by their managers.


The company split the house into upper and lower conversions, and if you look at the charcoal painting in the guest lounge, you can see the stairs that ran up the back of the house to the first-floor apartment. 

History

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE LUXURY GUESTHOUSE

Mairi Hedderwick

In the early 1970's Crolinnhe was purchased by Mairi Hedderwick, who is world famous for her best-selling children’s books about the adventures of ‘Katie Morag’ based around the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.


Many of Mairi's stories were inspired by the truly exceptional views over Loch Linnhe and surrounding scenic areas in what today is The Lundy Suite bathroom. The dining room was originally used as the printing room for her wide collection of children's stories.

VIEW THE LUNDY SUITE

If you view the visitor’s book by the front door, you can see her breath-taking illustrations of the local area that we hope you will enjoy whilst staying in the Highlands of Scotland.


In 1981 Mairi moved back to her original home on the Island of Coll situated in the Inner Hebrides.

Present Day

This beautiful Victorian villa has been lovingly and extensively restored with many of the original features preserved with luxurious touches throughout to ensure comfort and relaxation.

EXPLORE OUR SUITES
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The Areas

About Fort William and the Local Area

Fort William, or An Gearasdan, its Scottish Gaelic name, is the second largest settlement in the Highlands with 10,000 people living here (only the city of Inverness is larger).


The town is a major tourist centre and the Heart of The Highlands, with three roads running to and from it North, South and West. The area is very busy for most of the year, and there is plenty to see, do and experience! 

Fort William is famous for its hill walking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis - the tallest mountain in the United Kingdom at 1,344.527m or 4,411.18ft tall - and many other Munro mountains nearby.


Fort William is also the start or end of the West Highland Way a 96 mile or 154 kilometres walk between Glasgow and Fort William, a very popular route with over 85,000 people per year using the path annually and 30,000 people walking the entire route, quite an achievement!


The Great Glen Way is another popular long-distance path in the Highlands running between Fort William and Inverness covering 79 miles or 127 kilometres and is often cycled as well as walked.

Glencoe is located 16 miles to the South of Fort William is steeped in local history. Named after the River Coe, it was the scene for the Massacre of Glencoe which took place in 1692 between The Campbells and The MacDonalds. 


The Campbells believed The MacDonalds had not been prompt enough in pledging allegiance to King William III and his wife Queen Mary II which led to a legendary bloody battle

Aonach Mor lies to the East, which is home to Nevis Range Ski centre, and the downhill mountain bike track which has hosted the Mountain Bike World Cup for the past fifteen years, a spectacular event to watch.

Glenfinnan is on the Road to the Isles, West of Fort William, where in 1745, The Jacobite Rising began when Prince Charles Edwards Stuart, otherwise known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, raised his standard on the shores of Loch Shiel.


Seventy years on from that moment, The Glenfinnan Monument was erected at the head of the loch to commemorate this historic event. 


You also might know that Glenfinnan is home to the ‘Harry Potter Viaduct’, which majestically overlooks the monument and attracts many visitors each year.

The Attractions

Explore Lochaber and Beyond 

There are many wonderful local attractions and activities to explore in Fort William. Take a look at our recommended attractions and activities.

WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA

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