We have improved our walking grade scale. Read more
23 Dec - 27 Dec 2026
4 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£1,179
ppMembers
£1,149
pp£1,219
pp£1,189
ppWe have improved our walking grade scale. Read more
■ Location: Scottish Highlands
■ Duration: 4 nights at an HF Country House
■ Board Basis: Full Board
■ Travel Dates: Dec 2026, Dec 2027
■ Itineraries available: 2
■ Choice of Walking Grades: 6, 7 & 9 details
■ Carbon Footprint: 83kg CO2 details
Non-members From
£1,069
ppMembers From
£1,039
ppMembers Save £30 on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. details
From September 2026, we have expanded our walking grade scale from 6 to 10 points. While the holidays themselves have not changed (the routes, daily distances and ascent levels remain the same), our newly expanded 1-10 scale offers greater distinction between holidays and clearer grade descriptions, so you can choose a holiday that best suits you.
Moderate walking grade 6
Longer full day walks with more ascent and varied terrain. Good fitness and agility are needed. Typically, 9-10 miles (15-16km) with around 1,500ft (460m) of ascent.
Moderate walking grade 7
The most active moderate grade. Longer distances and short but steep ascents and descents possible throughout the day. Hill walking experience desirable. Typically, 11-12 miles (18-19km) with around 1,800ft (560m) of ascent.
Challenging walking grade 9
Demanding full day walks with greater distance, ascent, and fewer stops. Best for very fit walkers. Typically, 13-14 miles (21-23km) with around 2,750ft (840m) of ascent.All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
To ensure the safety and comfort of all participants, each guided walk has a maximum number of guests. This allows our leaders to provide the best possible experience and ensure everyone’s wellbeing throughout the walk.
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Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.
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[title] => Nevis Riverside & Fort William Heights
[content] => Distance: 6 miles (10 km)
Ascent: 250ft (80m)
We’ll head into the heart of the mountains in search of River Nevis to follow it downstream, past falls and fast-flowing sections, with views of Ben Nevis up above. As we descend towards Fort William, look out for signs of wildlife, including red deer.
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[title] => Nevis Gorge
[content] => Distance: 8 miles (12.5km)
Ascent: 700ft (220m)
We’ll meander through Nevis Gorge keeping an eye on Ben Nevis high above us. Enjoy the tranquillity of this wooded gorge, where the torrent churns between giant boulders, providing a soundtrack of trickling water. Soak up the sight of Steall Waterfall, the third highest cascade in Britain, before emerging into the wide vistas of Steall meadow.
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[title] => Below the North Face
[content] => Distance: 9 miles (14km)
Ascent: 2,600ft (800m)
Set your sights on the climbers’ hut that sits below the mighty north face of Ben Nevis as you begin climbing up and up. Then once we reach it, we’ll contour below the Castle Ridge buttress and descend via the Pony Track to Glen Nevis. You’ll have the chance to see the famed towering cliffs of the north face up close – revered for its excellent rock and ice climbing.
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Distance: 6 miles (10 km)
Ascent: 250ft (80m)
We’ll head into the heart of the mountains in search of River Nevis to follow it downstream, past falls and fast-flowing sections, with views of Ben Nevis up above. As we descend towards Fort William, look out for signs of wildlife, including red deer.
Distance: 8 miles (12.5km)
Ascent: 700ft (220m)
We’ll meander through Nevis Gorge keeping an eye on Ben Nevis high above us. Enjoy the tranquillity of this wooded gorge, where the torrent churns between giant boulders, providing a soundtrack of trickling water. Soak up the sight of Steall Waterfall, the third highest cascade in Britain, before emerging into the wide vistas of Steall meadow.
Distance: 9 miles (14km)
Ascent: 2,600ft (800m)
Set your sights on the climbers’ hut that sits below the mighty north face of Ben Nevis as you begin climbing up and up. Then once we reach it, we’ll contour below the Castle Ridge buttress and descend via the Pony Track to Glen Nevis. You’ll have the chance to see the famed towering cliffs of the north face up close – revered for its excellent rock and ice climbing.
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[title] => Loch Linnhe and the Hills Around Ballachulish
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[title] => Loch Linnhe Shore
[content] => Distance: 5 miles (8 km)
Ascent: 155ft (40m)
We’ll explore the shores of beautiful Loch Linnhe with an easy circular route from the house today. Look out over its calm, crystalline water and the forested hills that embrace it while stretching your legs around the loch. There’s also plenty of time to pause and take photographs or take a seat and soak up our surroundings.
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[title] => Gleann a' Chaolais
[content] => Distance: 7.5 miles (12.5km)
Ascent: 1,500 ft (460m)
Leaving Alltshellach, we'll head towards Ballachulish Bridge which crosses over the junction between Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe. We'll have the opportunity to see the lochs from a different angle and get closer to the imposing bulk of Beinn a'Bheithir - the mountain than can be seen across the loch from the house.
We'll visit the old railway station and walk on wide tracks through the forest before returning to Alltshellach.
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[title] => Sgorr Dhearg
[content] => Distance: 9.5 miles (15.5km)
Ascent: 3,700ft (1120m)
We’ll cross Ballachulish Bridge to see Loch Linnhe and Loch Leven from high above before setting our sights on the tracks that’ll lead us through the forest. There’s a gentle ascent followed by a narrower, steeper path that sees you emerge from the forest below the dramatic horseshoe ridge of Beinn a' Bheithir.
We’ll turn left after the col to then tackle the summit of Beinn Dhearg. From the top, cast your eyes over the mountains above Glencoe, Ben Nevis, and several Hebridean Islands – fingers crossed for a clear day. The same route will take us back down into the valley of Gleann a' Chalois via forested tracks.
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Distance: 5 miles (8 km)
Ascent: 155ft (40m)
We’ll explore the shores of beautiful Loch Linnhe with an easy circular route from the house today. Look out over its calm, crystalline water and the forested hills that embrace it while stretching your legs around the loch. There’s also plenty of time to pause and take photographs or take a seat and soak up our surroundings.
Distance: 7.5 miles (12.5km)
Ascent: 1,500 ft (460m)
Leaving Alltshellach, we'll head towards Ballachulish Bridge which crosses over the junction between Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe. We'll have the opportunity to see the lochs from a different angle and get closer to the imposing bulk of Beinn a'Bheithir - the mountain than can be seen across the loch from the house.
We'll visit the old railway station and walk on wide tracks through the forest before returning to Alltshellach.
Distance: 9.5 miles (15.5km)
Ascent: 3,700ft (1120m)
We’ll cross Ballachulish Bridge to see Loch Linnhe and Loch Leven from high above before setting our sights on the tracks that’ll lead us through the forest. There’s a gentle ascent followed by a narrower, steeper path that sees you emerge from the forest below the dramatic horseshoe ridge of Beinn a' Bheithir.
We’ll turn left after the col to then tackle the summit of Beinn Dhearg. From the top, cast your eyes over the mountains above Glencoe, Ben Nevis, and several Hebridean Islands – fingers crossed for a clear day. The same route will take us back down into the valley of Gleann a' Chalois via forested tracks.
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[title] => Mamore Lodge and Grey Mare's Waterfall
[content] => Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Ascent: 1450ft (440m)
The sight of Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall plunging 60m into the valley will stop you in your tracks. Not only that, but there are also far-reaching views over the lochs and peaks of this nature reserve.
We’ll then join the Old Military Road along the flanks of Sgurr an Fhuarain, stopping at even more fine viewpoints, before heading back to Kinlochleven.
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[title] => The Lairigmor
[content] => Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Ascent: 2,050ft (620m)
You’ll walk from the northern shore of Loch Leven to the village of Kinlochleven. The route will take us up a steep hillside, then follow a path behind Mam na Gualainn to join the famed West Highland Way. You’ll complete a section of Scotland’s premier long-distance path, including part of General Wade’s 18th century military road.
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[title] => Beinn na Caillich
[content] => Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Ascent: 3,200ft (980m)
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Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Ascent: 1450ft (440m)
The sight of Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall plunging 60m into the valley will stop you in your tracks. Not only that, but there are also far-reaching views over the lochs and peaks of this nature reserve.
We’ll then join the Old Military Road along the flanks of Sgurr an Fhuarain, stopping at even more fine viewpoints, before heading back to Kinlochleven.
Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Ascent: 2,050ft (620m)
You’ll walk from the northern shore of Loch Leven to the village of Kinlochleven. The route will take us up a steep hillside, then follow a path behind Mam na Gualainn to join the famed West Highland Way. You’ll complete a section of Scotland’s premier long-distance path, including part of General Wade’s 18th century military road.
Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Ascent: 3,200ft (980m)
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Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
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Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
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, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided 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.
You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. 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. Check out 10am.
• 38 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 53 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • 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
The pool opening hours: 7am -12pm and 4:30pm-9pm
Seasonal dining, tailored for you
Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.
Welcome Cream Tea
What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.
A hearty breakfast to start the day
Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.
Our famous picnic lunch
Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.
3-course evening meals
Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.
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.
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.
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.
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
*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am 16:00pm – 18:30pm
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Alltshellach
Alltshellach
Onich
Fort William
Invernesshire PH33 6SA
Tel: +44 (0)1855 821357
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.
2026 prices are £85 per person for a return 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
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.
The journey from Glasgow city centre is 97 miles, which takes around 2.5 hours.
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.
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.
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.
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:
Recommended
Walks may be changed for safety reasons and are subject to a maximum and minimum number of guests.
Leaders always consider the safety of the group as a whole, and may need to alter or curtail the walk if the conditions dictate. Your leader may refuse to accept a guest where clothing, equipment or behaviour is unsuitable. In the event of a problem all leaders carry a mobile phone, first aid kit, group shelter, spare maps and a compass.
Please note: If you choose to leave the group your leader is no longer responsible for you.
If you have a particular health condition or disability please put this on your guest registration form. This information will be confidential to your leaders and the house manager, but leaders do need to take account of any issues when planning walks. Please carry a copy of these trip notes with you, or note down the contact phone number for your accommodation (details in the travel section) should you need them in case of emergency.
Enjoy plenty of opportunity to join in the festive fun and games in the evenings on our Festive holidays.
A packed programme of evenings offers something festive for everyone, including some old HF Holidays’ favourites. It’s also a great time to kick back and relax, and the evenings on these Festive breaks will give you the chance to do just that.
We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.
Learn moreCode: GLC04-XFW03
Dates & availability
4 night Scottish Highlands Festive Guided walking
4 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£1,179
ppMembers
£1,149
pp£1,219
pp£1,189
pp4 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£1,069
ppMembers
£1,039
pp£1,109
pp£1,079
pp4 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£1,219
ppMembers
£1,189
pp£1,259
pp£1,229
pp4 nights. Trip notes
Non-members
£1,089
ppMembers
£1,059
pp£1,129
pp£1,099
pp
We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent, group and self-guided bookings).

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday
If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations
If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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