Spean Bridge
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Spean Bridge
The main A82 runs down the east shore of Loch Lochy to the village of Spean Bridge, at the head of Glen Spean, beneath the towering Lochaber mountains. The village gets its name from Thomas Telford's bridge across the River Spean. Two miles west are the remains of the old 'Highbridge', built in 1736 by General Wade, and the site of the first clash between Government troops and the Jacobites, three days before Prince Charles raised his standard at Glenfinnan.
Spean Bridge is only eight miles north of Fort William so gets busy in the summer, but it still makes a more peaceful and attractive alternative base for exploring this astoundingly beautiful part of the Highlands. There's a Tourist Information Centre just off the main road behind the post office. Info - Easter-Oct. Tel. 712576, Fax. 712675. Spean Bridge is also the starting point for the excellent Grey Corries ridge walk (OS Landranger Map No 41).
Phone code: 01397
Sleeping: accommodation and hotels in Spean Bridge
Old Pines is a family run, small hotel with a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere, serving excellent food with a unique blend of informality and exceptional service. Set in a backdrop of ancient pine trees, close to the famous Commando Memorial on the outskirts of Spean Bridge, "Old Pines" enjoys exceptional views of the Ben Nevis range and is on the route of the Great Glen Way.
more details about Old Pines Hotel and Restaurant
There's no shortage of accommodation in Spean Bridge. Pick of the bunch has to be Old Pines Restaurant with Rooms, Tel. 712324, Fax. 712433 8 rooms, just past the Commando Memorial on the B8004; price includes dinner. This Scandinavian-style chalet is a great place to stay, especially if you have kids in tow, and is renowned for its exceptional, award-winning Scottish cuisine. Food is available to non-residents (the 5-course dinner is expensive but lunch is much cheaper).
Corriegour Lodge Hotel, 9 miles north of Spean Bridge on the A82, Tel. 712685, Fax. 712696. 9 rooms, open Feb-Dec. Lovely Victorian hunting lodge on the shores of Loch Lochy, with fine views and an excellent restaurant (non-residents dinner only; expensive).
Further south, on the shores of Loch Lochy, is a very good B&B, Invergloy House, Tel. 712681. In the village itself is Smiddy House, Tel. 712335, Fax. 712043. A comfortable guesthouse with a bistro attached, serving good, cheap meals. Also good is the Corriechoille Lodge, Tel. /Fax. 712002, www.corrie1.demon. co.uk Open Mar-Nov.
There are lots more guesthouses and B&Bs and a couple of campsites, north of the village at Stronaba Caravan & Camping, Tel. 712259, open Apr-Oct; and west towards Gairlochy at Gairlochy Holiday Park, Tel. 712711, Fax. 712712, open Apr-Oct.
Eating near Spean Bridge
There's also a wide choice of places to eat. As well as those listed above, there's the Old Station Restaurant, Tel. 712535, in a converted railway station. Has a very good reputation, dinner is expensive; lunch by prior arrangement only, open Apr-Oct, Tue-Sun 1800-2100. Also recommended is The Coach House Restaurant, Tel. 712680, crann_tara@bigfoot.com, which is about 3 miles north of town on the right-hand side, at Glenfintaig. It's a popular place and small, so you'll have to book ahead for lunch (cheap) or dinner (mid-range to expensive), open late Apr to late Oct, daily 1200-1500 and 1800-2100.
Self Catering Cottages in Spean Bridge
- UPPER STRONABA(near Spean Bridge) - Inverness-shire Sleeps 5
- Oak Lodge Sleeps 6
- Larch Cottage Sleeps 4
- Gorries Lair Sleeps 4
- Holiday Lodges Inverness Sleeps 5