Name: Guisachan Guesthouse
Price range: $$

The Guesthouse

Guisachan Guesthouse in Fort William has been a prominent and well known guesthouse since the early 1960’s. Having once been a doctor’s surgery along with other houses nearby, it was almost derelict when it was purchased in the late 1950’s. Successive owners have expanded the original building, and built the annex; so that what we have today is a large and imposing building which stands out for its size as well as being in a prominent location.

We’re Carmen and Phill, the proud owners of Guisachan Guesthouse in beautiful Fort William since early 2016. Our mission is to ensure you have a pleasant and cozy stay, complete with a delicious breakfast tailored to your preference—whether it’s a hearty hot Scottish breakfast or a light Continental spread. Guisachan Guesthouse is ideally located, making it the perfect home base for your adventures in the stunning Scottish Highlands. Be sure to check out our “What to Do” page for more exciting ideas on sights to see and places to explore. We offer 17 charming guest bedrooms—4 single, 5 double, 5 twin, 2 family rooms, and a cozy triple. You can relax in our spacious guest lounge or enjoy a drink at our licensed bar, where we have a great selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, plus a delightful bar menu. Don’t miss our lovely covered area out front where you can soak in the fresh air and enjoy spectacular views across Loch Linnhe and the beautiful hills beyond. We’re conveniently located about 25 miles from Glen Coe, 40 miles from Oban, and 30 miles from Fort Augustus, making us an ideal stop on your journey to Skye and the other enchanting islands off the west coast.

We can’t wait to welcome you!

Fort William town

Fort William, nestled in the stunning Highlands of Scotland, is the second largest settlement after Inverness, boasting a friendly community of around 11,000 residents. It’s not just a town; it’s a welcoming tourist hub! With its close proximity to Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, the charming Jacobite Steam Train (often called the Harry Potter Train), and an array of popular hiking trails that start or finish right in town, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Ben Nevis, located just to the east of Fort William, is a must-visit spot that’s super accessible thanks to a Visitor Centre and a spacious car park situated along Glen Nevis from the town centre. During the sunny summer months, you’ll find thousands of adventurous visitors choosing to hike up to the summit, no matter what the weather is like. If the conditions are right, they might be treated to breathtaking views from the top!

The Jacobite journey, run by the friendly team at West Coast Railways, typically operates from April to October. It’s a good idea to book ahead since only a limited number of tickets are available on the day, and you might find yourself in a fun queue for a couple of hours! This train experience is often listed among the top ten railway journeys worldwide, taking passengers on a picturesque ride from Fort William to the beautiful fishing village of Mallaig on the West Coast. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking as it meanders around and through the mountains on its way to the coast. A highlight of the journey is when the train crosses the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct, making it a memorable spot featured in the Harry Potter movies!

Fort William is a fantastic starting and finishing point for a variety of hikes, with the West Highland Way being the most beloved one. This remarkable trail begins just outside of Glasgow and stretches 96 miles through some of the most breathtaking scenery Scotland has to offer, finishing at the southeastern end of Fort William High Street, right by the “Sore Feet” statue. But that’s not all! Many visitors find themselves coming back to Fort William to kick off their adventures on the Great Glen Way or the East Highland Way, making it a perfect spot for repeated visits!

Fort William’s history is quite fascinating, dating back to 1654 when a wooden fort was built by the English to help “calm” the Clan Cameron. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the fort was named Fort William in honor of William of Orange, the husband of Mary II, who became Queen after James II and VII was deposed. The fort played a significant role in suppressing the Jacobite uprisings in the 18th Century, and even though the Jacobites managed to capture the other two forts in the Great Glen, Fort William held strong against their two-week siege!

The Gaelic name for Fort William is An Gearasdan, which translates to “The Garrison,” though the exact origins of this name remain a bit of a mystery.

Getting Around Fort William

Need to know about transport in Fort William? Fort William has a small town centre and Guisachan Guesthouse is only a short walk to the centre of town including shops, restaurants, pubs and transport links. If you need to find out about getting around by anything other than on foot we have a few links below.

If you are looking for things to do in the area check out our page about things to do.

bus services

Shiel Buses is our local bus operator with services both locally and to outlying towns and villages. You can view their timetables and routes on their website.

For example the N41 service is useful if you wish to go to the Nevis Range to take a trip on the mountain gondola. The N44 service will get you to Kinlochleven and Glencoe village.