Smiddy House is a distinguished Highland guest house and cottage complex, ideally positioned within the bustling village of Spean Bridge near Fort William. Offering a combination of character, comfort and commercial advantage, the property has been successfully operated as a well-regarded guest house, with the flexibility to expand operations and reinstate the restaurant to capture year-round tourism trade. Its combination of main house, self-contained cottage, owners’ accommodation and licensed facilities provides versatility and scale. With strong transport links, a rich tourism backdrop and an established trading reputation, Smiddy House represents an outstanding turnkey investment for buyers seeking a lifestyle property with genuine scope to increase revenues. Whether operated seasonally or on a full-time basis, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a high-profile Highland hospitality business with excellent future prospects.

Location

Smiddy House is prominently positioned at the heart of Spean Bridge, a thriving Highland village situated just ten miles north of Fort William. The property benefits significantly from its strategic location on the main A82 trunk road, which forms part of the famous tourist route connecting Ben Nevis and Fort William with Loch Ness, Inverness and the Isle of Skye. Spean Bridge itself offers excellent local amenities including a village shop, cafés, restaurants, a primary school and leisure facilities, with secondary schooling easily accessible in Fort William. The area is a strong draw for visitors year-round, providing easy access to the Nevis Range Mountain Resort, golf at the nearby nine-hole course, the Commando Memorial, and an abundance of outdoor pursuits such as walking, climbing, mountain biking and fishing. The railway station within the village also ensures convenient transport links, with the famous West Highland Line connecting to both Glasgow and Mallaig. This combination of lifestyle benefits and extensive passing trade makes Smiddy House exceptionally well-placed both as an attractive home and as a sustainable business venture.

Property and Business Description

Smiddy House represents a rare opportunity to acquire an established Highland guest house with over twenty years of reputable trading history. Recently modernised and presented to a high standard, the property combines flexible accommodation with strong income potential, underpinned by its enviable main road position in the centre of Spean Bridge. The main house comprises four en suite letting bedrooms finished in an elegant style, a spacious guest lounge, and an attractive dining room designed to seat residents in comfort. A well-equipped commercial kitchen lies to the rear, together with ancillary facilities including separate male and female WCs and a utility area. Importantly, the ground floor also offers private accommodation for the owners in the form of a lounge and bedroom suite, ensuring comfort and privacy while onsite.

To the upper levels, the property provides an additional self-contained three-bedroom owners’ apartment occupying the top floor, allowing scope for extended family living or staff accommodation depending on operational requirements. The separate two-bedroom cottage, located adjacent to the main house, is currently run as further guest accommodation sleeping up to four but could also be used for longer-term rental if desired. This dual offering of the principal guest house alongside the cottage enhances operational flexibility and income streams.

Trading has historically been conducted on a seasonal basis from April to September, excluding July, yet even under this part-time model the business generates in the region of £90,000 with no external staffing requirements, emphasising the efficiency of the operation. The licensed premises, together with the commercial kitchen and formal dining room, presents a strong opportunity for a new operator to reinstate the restaurant and capture additional turnover by serving both in-house guests and the significant passing trade attracted along the A82. With high tourist numbers throughout the year, driven by Fort William’s reputation as the Outdoor Capital of the UK and proximity to Loch Ness, all-year-round trading is a potential avenue for growth.

Externally, the property enjoys a private and well-maintained setting with a dedicated guest car park for convenience. Attractive landscaped areas add to the property’s kerb appeal, while the village centre location ensures immediately available amenities for guests and excellent visibility to passing traffic. Fixtures, fittings, stock, and a strong online presence with polished branding including a dedicated website are included in the sale, providing a genuine turnkey investment. The asking price of £570,000 reflects the portfolio of guest house, cottage, commercial kitchen and residential accommodation creating a unique opportunity for a purchaser seeking a lifestyle business in the Highlands.
In summary, Smiddy House not only presents itself as a thriving bed and breakfast operation but also carries the latent potential to reestablish its credentials as a restaurant with rooms, benefiting from high footfall tourism, exceptional location, and the flexibility to expand occupancy and services. Whether as a managed guest house, a family-run venture, or a strategic hospitality investment, Smiddy House is an exceptional offering in one of Scotland’s most visited regions.