From the Guest House
Our News and Top Tips
If you’re the kind of person who likes to read and research your holiday, the area and all the things there are to do, this section is for you! We love exploring and discovering just how much the Scottish Highlands has to offer. There is literally so much to do whatever your interests – unless it’s hard core high street fashion shopping!
We want you to get the best out of your time in and around Spean Bridge, so we’re writing some articles based on our own thoughts and experiences, some suggestions for cracking days out and any insider hints and tips that we think might be useful to you. We’ll be adding more articles all the time, so if there’s something in particular you’d like us to cover, please get in touch.
A Grand Finale on Biod an Fhithich: Glen Shiel, Loch Duich and Eilean Donan Castle
The final walk of our autumn Moderate Distant Hills Walking Holiday took us west to Biod an Fhithich in Glen Shiel, a hill that has become a real Distant Hills favourite on our Moderate itinerary. At 644m it is a modest summit, but the views from the top are some of...
Squalls, Summit Views and the Ardverikie Wall: Our Walk up Binnein Shuas
Day three of our Moderate Distant Hills Walking Holiday took us east towards Loch Laggan and up Binnein Shuas, a small hill full of Highland character. For its modest height it packs in a remarkable amount: a quiet lochan, one of Scotland’s most famous rock...
Four Seasons Beneath the North Face of Ben Nevis: Our Walk to the CIC Hut
Day two of our Moderate Distant Hills Walking Holiday took us right to the foot of Britain’s highest mountain: a walk up beside the Allt a’ Mhuilinn to the CIC Hut, beneath the mighty North Face of Ben Nevis. As one of the group put it afterwards, it was a...
Autumn Gold at Creag Meagaidh: Our Moderate Walking Week Begins in Coire Àrdair
A new week, a new group and a favourite walk to begin with. Our second autumn Distant Hills Walking Holiday is under way, and our Moderate Walking group started in style at Creag Meagaidh, on the path to the lochan in Coire Àrdair. After last week’s...
The Long Walk Home: Corrour to Spean Bridge via the Lairig Leacach
For the fourth and final walking day of our autumn Distant Hills Walking Holiday, we swapped summits for a journey: the train out to Corrour, then a 27km walk from Corrour to Spean Bridge, all the way home to our own front door. After Thursday’s adventure on the...
A Distant Hills First: Sgùrr a’ Mhaim and the Devil’s Ridge on the Ring of Steall
Day three of our autumn Distant Hills Walking Holiday was a first for us: part of the iconic Ring of Steall, taking in the Munro of Sgùrr a’ Mhaim and the airy Devil’s Ridge. We have never taken a walking holiday group here before, and what a day to...
Two Munros Above Loch Quoich: Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach
Day two of our autumn Distant Hills Walking Holiday and what a day it turned out to be: two Munros, Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach, high above Loch Quoich, with far more sunshine than any of us dared hope for. After yesterday’s wet feet in Glen Nevis, our guide Dave...
Autumn Walking Holidays Begin: Meall Cumhann, Steall Falls and Glen Nevis in Full Flow
Today marked the start of our autumn season: the first Distant Hills Walking Holiday of the autumn is officially under way! Our Harder Walking group has arrived, and if day one on Meall Cumhann in Glen Nevis is anything to go by, we are in for a brilliant week. And...
Wild Corrour & The “Trainspotting” Corbett: A Journey to Leum Uilleim
If you want to experience the true scale and solitude of the Scottish Highlands, you have to leave the roads behind. For Day Three of our Moderate Walking Holiday, that is exactly what we did. In a week full of highlights, this "off-the-grid" adventure is often the...
From Bothies to Baronial Castles: A Journey Through Lochaber’s History
If day one of our Moderate Walking Holiday was about the raw power of the elements at Creag Meagaidh, day two was a masterclass in the rich, layered history of Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands. Our 2026 guests traded the deep snow for a journey that spanned...
A Wintry Start to the 2026 Season: Creag Meagaidh in the Snow
Today marked a very special milestone: the official kickoff of our first Distant Hills Walking Holiday of 2026! Our Moderate Walking groups are back, and if today was anything to go by, we are in for a truly memorable week. We began our season at the Creag Meagaidh...
Hard Walking Week: Cloud Breaks, Spectres, and Unforgettable Stillness
The third week of our Autumn Walking Breaks at Distant Hills Guest House is our Hard Walking Week of the three Autumn Walking Holidays, it promised challenge, and it certainly delivered! From the dramatic cloud inversions of Loch Treig to the magical stillness of the...
A Touch of Magic: What Exactly is a Brocken Spectre?
On yesterday’s incredible walk on Buachaille Etive Beag, our group was treated to a truly rare and spectacular sight: the Brocken Spectre. For many, it was their first time witnessing this magnificent natural phenomenon, and the excitement on the ridge was palpable!...
Autumn Walking Break – Highland Resilience: Four Walks, One Summit
Storm Amy Couldn't Stop Us: A Look Back at Week 2 of our Autumn Breaks The aroma of a hearty Scottish breakfast lingers in the air, mixing with the gentle sounds of tired but incredibly satisfied feet padding down the hallway. It can only mean one thing: our latest...
From Mountain Peaks to Candlelit Feasts: An Autumn Walking Break in the Scottish Highlands
The aroma of a hearty Scottish breakfast lingers in the air, mixing with the gentle sounds of tired but incredibly satisfied feet padding down the hallway. It can only mean one thing: our latest Autumn Walking Break in the Scottish Highlands is drawing to a close....
Experience the Thrill of a Winter Munro Walking Week
If you love hiking in the Scottish Highlands, there’s nothing quite like tackling a Munro in winter. The mountains take on a whole new character – snow-capped peaks, crisp air, and a magical stillness that makes every step feel unforgettable. For those who want to...
The Great Glen Way: A Perfect Stop at Distant Hills Guest House
The Great Glen Way, a stunning long-distance route stretching 79 miles from Fort William to Inverness, is one of Scotland's most popular and accessible trails. The route follows the natural Great Glen fault line, passing through diverse landscapes that include lochs,...
Discover Your Perfect Scottish Highlands Break: A Stay at Distant Hills Guest House
Dreaming of a peaceful Scottish Highlands Break? Look no further than Distant Hills Guest House in Spean Bridge. This charming retreat consistently earns rave reviews, and it's easy to see why once you dive into what makes a stay here so special. Adding to their...
Celebrating Three Years Since Our Appearance on Four in a Bed – Series 17: Episode 18
2025 marks three years since we first appeared on the popular Channel 4 show Four in a Bed (Series 17: Episode 18), and what an unforgettable journey it has been! Being featured on the show was an incredible experience for us, and it allowed us to share the warmth,...
Must-Visit Attractions Near Distant Hills Guest House: Nevis Range Mountain Gondola
When you visit the Scottish Highlands, there are few experiences as awe-inspiring as the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola. Located just a short drive from our Distant Hills Guest House in Spean Bridge, this attraction offers visitors the chance to explore the magnificent...
Our Bedrooms at Distant Hills Guest House – Always Upgrading for Your Comfort
At Distant Hills Guest House, we are continually working to enhance our bedrooms and the experience we offer our guests. We understand that a restful night’s sleep is an essential part of any stay, especially when you're out exploring the stunning Scottish Highlands....
Last Minute Availability Moderate Walking in the Scottish Highlands
Act now before it’s too late! We have experienced record sales for our walking holidays for 2025. People have been booking months and month in advance. As such we only have a few places on the following two walking weeks in 2025: 30 March – 5 April – Moderate Level...
New Routes & The Best Moderate Walk in the Scottish Highlands (?)
Exploring New Routes in the Scottish Highlands Living in Spean Bridge, just 10 miles north of Fort William and Ben Nevis, we are blessed with an incredible variety of hillwalking routes that cater to all levels of walkers - Could we have found the Best Moderate Walk...
Walking Poles – are they for you? The Benefits…
The use of walking poles is often a topic of conversation during our walking holiday weeks. Typically, we get a 70:30 split of people using them on our guided walks. There is a widespread misconception that walking poles are just for old people. I was guilty of...
Poem about our harder-level Distant Hills Walking Holiday and our hike up Am Bodach and Ciste Dubh
We are extremely grateful to Walter Huddleston, who joined us in October for his second harder-level Distant Hills walking holiday with his wife Angela, for sharing this poem of our walk up Am Bodach and Ciste Dubh. We hope you enjoy it! Heads In The Clouds by Walter...
2025 – Walking Holidays, Our Guest House Availability & Welcoming Walkers on the Great Glen Way
Walking Holidays at Distant Hills in 2025: A Perfect Highland Escape If you're looking to immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the Scottish Highlands in 2025, Distant Hills Guest House offers a perfect opportunity with our all-inclusive walking holidays. Whether...
Our Walking Holidays This Week
A Memorable Hiking Adventure on Biod an Fhithich This week has been filled with incredible moments on our walking holidays, and Thursday was no exception. Every wish for a superb hillwalking day was met with blue skies, settled weather, and breathtaking Highland...
Hosting Professional Athletes – The Giant Factory Off-Road Team
A Behind-The-Scenes Insight Almost every year since 2002, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Series has been held here at the Nevis Range in Fort William. The event is a huge spectacle attracting competitors and visitors from all over the world and is a significant...
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About the Author
Dani Mackinnon is the author of this blog and the lucky co-owner of Distant Hills Guest House in the glorious Scottish Highlands. She loves sharing my passion for life, the mountains and the great outdoors.