A rolling lawn meets the shore of Loch Shiel where Glenfinnan House Hotel stands in its unique position across the bay from the National Trust for Scotland monument to Prince Charles Edward Stuart (a.k.a. Bonnie Prince Charlie). Beyond the monument Ben Nevis is visible, the UK's highest mountain, while a 10-minute walk away through the red deer dotted Glenfinnan Estate, is the famous Glenfinnan viaduct railway bridge which was used in scenes from various Harry Potter films.
Email Glenfinnan House Hotel enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in Glenfinnan
This
Scottish country house is a fine stone mansion dating from 1755. For more
details see history of Glenfinnan House. Attractive public rooms include
a comfortable drawing room, a beautifully appointed dining room and a
welcoming bar where traditional music is often heard.
Manja and Duncan Gibson are the resident managers – and extremely
hospitable hosts – who will welcome you into the delightful hall,
where a log fire blazes. Along pine-panelled walls hang an atmospheric
collection of paintings, most with a Jacobite theme, including an impressive
portrayal of the 1745 Jacobite Rising at Glenfinnan. (courtesy of the
1745 Association).
The surrounding scenery is glorious and Glenfinnan House is a perfect
venue for breaks, weddings, various functions... or even just a quiet
retreat. From the moment of your arrival every effort is made to ensure
your wellbeing and enjoyment.
Rooms & Suites
Manja and Duncan don't expect guests to require a key: the atmosphere
is akin to staying in a friend's Highland home. The charming bedrooms,
many with a stunning loch view, some with a garden view, are furnished
with solid, mahogany and oak furniture.
There are quality drapes and fabrics throughout and the décor and
original fittings suggest complete relaxation. Accordingly. there are
no televisions or telephones in the rooms: it really is like staying in
a private house.
Select from our Four Poster Room, Double/Twin room, Family Room, Family
Suite (with adjoining bedrooms) or the Jacobite Suite, room 1. We have
installed spa baths in the garden view rooms so that those without a loch
view have an extra special treat.
All rooms are provided with a vase of fresh flowers, fruit bowl and tea
and coffee tray.
Dining at Glenfinnan
As befits a stay at a traditional Highland home, good food and drink (even
music) is order of the day. Duncan Gibson is chef and his CV worth a mention:
he trained in the 1980s at 5-star Westin Turnberry before moving to the
Beaujolais wine region of France for four years to study the art of classic
cuisine; this was followed by periods working in Canada and Ireland.
Subsequently, Duncan returned to Scotland with a broad experience of eclectic
global cuisine. He then worked at Relais & Chateau Arisaig House where
he retained 3 AA rosettes for 5 years. Arisaig House which was famous
for many years, was converted to a private residence in 2002 and shortly
afterwards, Duncan and his wife Manja, originally from Germany, came to
Glenfinnan.
The Good Food of Scotland Guide has awarded us a high recommendation rating
while the Good Hotel Guide 2007 acclaims Duncan as a “chef of quality”.
Children are welcome and can choose from their own menu.
Glenfinnan House provides a good, home-cooked Scottish breakfast which
is far and above "the usual run of the mill". Our Breakfast
Chef will prepare smoked venison, kippers or poached egg with smoked salmon
and a light creamy dill sauce. Large cafetières of coffee, fresh
fruit, cereals, orange juice, croissants and pain au chocolate will set
you up for the day.
Map & travel directions 
Glenfinnan House is easily accessible by car and train. It is even possible
to land a helicopter on the front lawn (map reference N56 °52.167
- W005 °26.634) or arrive by seaplane!
By car from Glasgow, we are reached after a beautiful
scenic drive along Loch Lomond and through Glencoe (approx. 2.5 hours).
Pass through Fort William and turn off the A82 to follow the A830 'Road
to the Isles', west for 15 miles to Glenfinnan. Turn left just after the
Glenfinnan Monument Visitor Centre.
By car from Inverness, it is a 2 hour drive following
the shores of the famous Loch Ness, through Fort Augustus and onwards
past the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. Turn right onto the A830 'Road
to the Isles' before reaching Fort William.
Trains running between Fort William and Mallaig stop
at Glenfinnan railway station which is only a 10 minute walk away from
the hotel. We are also more than happy to transport guests to and from
the station.
The international airports at Glasgow and Edinburgh are
2½ and 3 hours drive away respectively.
Leisure ideas around Glenfinnan 
It is impossible to be short of walks and activities in Glenfinnan and
the surrounding area. There are also three golf courses nearby in Traigh,
Fort William & Ballachulish.
Loch Shiel Cruises are just on our doorstep and you can
enjoy the eagle–watch from 1 hour up to an all-day cruise. There
are regular sightings of golden eagles, black throated divers and red
deer.
For more information log on to www.highlandcruises.co.uk
M.V. Shearwater - Cruise to the Inner Hebrides of Eigg, Muck & Rum
from Arisaig with time ashore to explore regular close sightings of whales,
dolphins, seals, puffins, eagles, otters and much more.
Nevis Range, Treasures of the Earth, the Jacobite steam train
and Ben Nevis distillery are all close by.
We are situated in the outdoor capital of the UK and there is plenty to
see and do for both active or more relaxed holidays.
Fishing or Boating in Loch Shiel
The hotel has its own rowing boat which is available for guests'
use. There is no charge and we also have some fishing equipment available
for guests.
For a fishing trip with a local, Iain can be contacted on 07900 387 150.
He will accompany you on Loch Shiel and take you to the best sites. The
boat is suitable for 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 children.
• Full day £55
• Half day £30
A trip includes life jackets, angling and equipment hire.
If a more active pursuit is your thing, why not try kayaking with Rockhopper?
They provide full and half day trips and sea kayaking is also available
on different sites within the Lochaber area. Prices start at £25.
For more information log on to www.rockhopperscotland.co.uk or call: 07739837344
Local Walks
The area around Glenfinnan is rich in scenic beauty and offers many opportunities
for exploring on foot. Click here for a selection of walks available in
the area.
Scottish Highland Tours
Based in Fort William Scottish Highland Tours offer personlised guided
tours of Scotland. They offer a selection of one day tours of the Highlands
and Islands including the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Oban and Glencoe. Find
out more about Scottish Highland Tours
Highland Activities
Highland Activities is a multi-activity adventure centre based near Fort
William in the stunning surroundings of the Scottish Highlands. They offer
quality outdoor activities including quad biking, white water rafting,
canyoning & gorge walking, clay pigeon shooting, off-road driving,
paintballing, archery and mountain biking
History of Glenfinnan House
The house was built as an inn between 1752 and 1755 by Alexander MacDonald
VII of Glenaladale who was wounded at Culloden (1746) fighting for Prince
Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie).
Later it became a tenant farmer's dwelling and remained as such until
1842. About that time the proprietor, Angus MacDonald XII of Glenaladale,
converted the old building into a mansion house by heightening the walls
and the ceilings and enlarging the windows to make it into a suitable
seat for his family. Soon after this he doubled the size of the building
to its present form. He and his successor were very hospitable and kept
an open house in the good old Highland style. His brother, Fr. Donald,
who built the church, lived in the house for upwards of 30 years, and
eventually Col. John Andrew (son of Angus) succeeded in 1870. The Colonel
died in 1916 without issue and the house and lands passed out of the family
after a period of over 300 years.
The present owners, the MacFarlane family, came to Glenfinnan in 1971
by which time the house was in an advanced state of disrepair. They converted
the house into an hotel whilst attempting to retain as much of its old
character as possible.
In November 2002 they appointed award winning chef Duncan Gibson (formerly
of Arisaig House) and his wife Manja to manage the hotel for them.
