Alltshellach
Scottish Highlands
For a combination of mountain views, olde-worlde charm, and somewhere comfortable to sleep, this stately Scottish house in North Ballachulish has an enviable setting right on the shores of Loch Leven. The walking opportunities here are as every bit rugged and romantic as you’d expect, especially around Glen Coe, the Mamores, Kinlochleven, Bidean nam Bian, and Ben Nevis – the 1,345-metre-high peak towering above glistening lochans and glacial valleys in the north-west Highlands. You can also spend time in Fort William and ride the Hogwarts-esque Jacobite steam train as it makes its way through beauty spots such as Loch Eil, Glenfinnan, and Arisaig to the fishing port of Mallaig.
Alltshellach
| • Open March to November and during the festive season • 38 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 50 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • Full-board (including cream tea on arrival) • Free Wi-Fi • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • 2 travel cots & 2 high chairs • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Indoor pool • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Three lounges • Lawns and wooded grounds leading down to Loch Leven • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point |  |
Then & now at Alltshellach
Designed in the early 1870s by Inverness architect Alexander Ross, Alltshellach was built for Lady Alice Ewing – fourth daughter of the 19th Earl of Morton and the second wife and widow of Alexander Ewing, a former Bishop of Argyll & the Isles. Their daughter, Margaret, married Liberal MP Alexander Crum while their granddaughter, also Margaret, married William Thomson (later known as Lord Kelvin) who was one of the most important physicists of the 19th century for determining the absolute zero on any temperature scale. The house remained in the family thereafter, with notable architectural additions including a private chapel, coach houses, stables, and five cottages built from Kentallen granite to house the groomsman and servants. It has been part of our HF Holidays line-up since 1929 (we purchased the property in 1953) and used as a military hospital during WWII.
Nowadays, Alltshellach has 38 well-appointed guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior). Room 23 on the second floor is known as the Bishop’s Room for its small prayer area, but this was most likely to have been the children’s bedroom as the bishop would have slept in one of the larger rooms on the first floor. You’ll find three comfortable lounges (the area with the small stained glass window at the end of the entrance hall was probably the private chapel), a dining room for a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients, and a licensed bar with a superb Scottish whisky selection. Elsewhere, there’s a handy boot and drying room, books and games to borrow during your stay, a Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and easy-to-follow information for self-guided walks, and beautiful lawns and wooded grounds leading down to Loch Leven. It also has a heated indoor swimming pool that is open all year round*.
*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am 16:00pm – 18:30pm
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Alltshellach has 38 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Room 21 for its extra space, corner position, and gorgeous views across Loch Leven. Equally fabulous is Room 23 (known as the Bishop’s Room) on the second floor.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Alltshellach
House calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Discover Scottish Highlands
Places to visit
Whether you’re enjoying a guided or self-guided walking holiday, there’s always the opportunity to linger for longer. Here’s our pick of the very best things to see and do within easy travelling distance of Alltshellach.
Ballachulish
Split into three (North Ballachulish, South Ballachulish and Ballachulish Village), the village was once famous for its slate. Nowadays, one of the best-known attractions is the 9-hole Woodlands Golf Course, formally known as The Dragon’s Tooth.
Fort William
Nicknamed the Outdoor Capital of the UK, this West Highland town on the banks of Loch Linnhe is a 25-minute drive away. The town centre has a high street with an excellent selection of shops selling outdoor clothing and walking equipment.
Jacobite Steam Train
Making its way through beauty spots such as Loch Eil, Glenfinnan and Arisaig as it travels to the fishing port of Mallaig, riding this Hogwarts-esque steam train is a must for Harry Potter fans. Trains run daily and early booking is recommended.
Isle of Mull
Reached by car ferry from Oban or Lochaline, this Inner Hebridean island is home to Tobermory - the colourful town featured in children's TV series, Balamory. Don’t miss Duart Castle, the ancestral home of Clan Maclean – one of the oldest Highlands families.
Isle of Lismore
After hiring bikes at Port Appin, a 30-minute drive away, it’s just a short ferry crossing to this quiet and rural island. Must-dos include making the most of the walking and cycling opportunities, spotting all manner of wildlife, and visiting the Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre.
Oban
As the unofficial capital of the West Highlands of Scotland and the Gateway to the Hebridean Isles, this harbour town is a 45-minute drive away. The climb to McCaig's Tower rewards with spectacular views across Oban Bay to the Atlantic Islands.
Eilean Donan Castle
Claiming to be the most-photographed Scottish castle, this ancient stronghold worth the 80-mile drive. It opened to the public in 1955 and has since become one of the country’s best-loved attractions. Most interesting is the banqueting hall, kitchen, and main keep.
Getting to Alltshellach
Getting here
Address
Alltshellach
Onich
Fort William
Invernesshire PH33 6SA
Tel: +44 (0)1855 821357
By shared transfer
If you are travelling to or from Alltshellach on Saturdays or over the festive period you can join our group coach transfer from Glasgow's Buchanan Street Bus Station or Glasgow Airport.
2024 prices are £70 per person for a return transfer or £48 per person for a single transfer. 2025 prices are £85 per person for a eturn transfer or £55 per person for a single transfer.
Outward journey: Depart Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station at 15:15 or Glasgow Airport at 15:45; arrive at Alltshellach at 18:30.
Return journey: Depart Alltshellach at 08:30; arrive at Glasgow Airport at 11:30 or Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station at 12:00.
Places are limited so booking is essential. We recommend booking at least 14 days in advance by contacting:
HF Holidays Sales and Support Team
Tel: +44 (0)203 974 8865
Email: reservations@hfholidays.co.uk
By train
The nearest station is Fort William.
Or you can take the train to Glasgow then the Scottish Citylink bus or our group coach transfer to Alltshellach.
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
By taxi
The journey from Glasgow city centre is 97 miles, which takes around 2.5 hours.
By bus
Scottish Citylink bus numbers 914 or 915 run from Glasgow Buchanan Street and Glasgow International Airport.
Ask the driver to stop at the north side of Ballachulish Bridge. From here you’ll need to walk 400m to Alltshellach.
By car
From Glasgow take the A82 towards Crianlarich then Fort William. Once you reach Ballachulish go straight on at the roundabout over the steel bridge and take the second right on to the B863 towards Kinlochleven. Alltshellach is 400 yards on your right.
By air
The nearest airport is Glasgow International Airport.
You can take the Citylink bus 915 (2.5 hours) or join our group coach transfer (2.75 hours).
If you fly into Manchester Airport, there are direct and indirect trains to Glasgow. Approximate journey time is four hours plus your transfer to Alltshellach.
