Clan Macduff Hotel

First opened in 1965, the mid-range Clan Macduff Hotel is a small, family-owned property drawing couples and families alike with panoramic Loch Linneh and mountain views, traditional interiors, and a great restaurant and bar serving regional food and an excellent selection of whiskeys. While decor is more homey and functional than stylish, the property feels cozy throughout, with teal and tartan-printed carpeting, lots of wood, cozy leather chairs, and large windows overlooking the loch in the restaurant, the bar, and some of the rooms. The lobby is basic and a little plain, but the blue carpeting, display cabinets with souvenirs, and small wooden front desk add some old-school charm. Two lounges offer comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi, and guests gather here in the evening to check emails and mingle. The Quiet Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and an adult-only policy. 

This hotel is located on a gentle slope that meets the A85 road and the banks of stunning Loch Linneh just outside Fort William. The area is popular among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and its proximity to Ben Nevis mountain and several of the region’s famous lochs makes it a good base for exploring the Highlands. Iverness is a two-hour drive away, and the nearest international airport is in Glasgow, about two-and-a-half hours away by car.

The hotel has 36 traditionally decorated rooms ranging from small single units to larger rooms designed for families that can sleep up to four guests. Simple wooden furniture, teal carpeting and a few pops of garnet in bed runners, accent pillows, and chairs lend rooms some old-fashioned charm, but some may find the style on the dated side. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and hairdryers but lack mini-fridges and Wi-Fi (free Internet access is available in common areas only). Some units have expansive views of Loch Linneh, and a few also have balconies furnished with simple metal chairs. Type A rooms are spacious and can fit a small seating area with two chairs and a table, but Type B rooms are a little tight and more suitable for short overnight stays. The property is in the process of updating its bathrooms, and while some are modern and stylish (with black accent walls, new taps, and laminate floors) others are basic. The hotel has two rooms designed for guests with mobility issues. 

The on-site restaurant serves an excellent regional menu made with local, fresh ingredients and served in a light-filled dining room with panoramic loch views. Known for its outstanding selection of whiskies (including award-winning single malts), the bar is a popular local spot for an evening drink. It is decorated in traditional Scottish style, with tartan-printed carpeting, brown leather armchairs, solid green curtains, and exposed wooden beams, and has floor-to-ceiling windows offering wonderful views of Loch Linneh. Free Wi-Fi is available in common spaces, and a cold breakfast buffet with hot items made to order is offered daily free of charge to all guests. The hotel has a pet-friendly policy, but dogs are not allowed in common spaces. There is no extra fee for on-site parking.