About Us

It all started in August 2005 while on a camping holiday on the Ardnamurchan. As you often do when you are on holiday we looked in the estate agent windows and saw B&Bs for sale. An idea was born.

Catherine’s parents were elderly and were needing more time to look after them which didn’t fit around our jobs. So when we got back from holiday we said to Mum how do you fancy pooling resources and moving to Scotland and we’ll look after you. We got an immediate Yes!

Catherine and her Mum first went to view Fern Villa in October 2005, on pulling into the car park without getting out of the car Catherine phoned David and said ‘We’ll have it’. The house still gives us that feeling.

In April 2006, only 8 months later, 4 adults, 2 teenage children, 3 dogs and 2 cats moved lock stock and barrel to Ballachulish. Now there is just Catherine and David, 4 new dogs and 1 new cat. The animals don’t live in the guest house but in our separate accommodation, however, you may occasionally see them if the gates aren’t shut properly and they make a dash to meet and greet you.  

On the first morning we had 10 guests for breakfast, we’d never done anything like this before but we kept calm and were perhaps a bit haphazard as we juggled guests and removal men.

We love the house and it’s an ongoing project to get it as we want it. We hope you’ll love it too. It was built in 1895 and still has some of the original features like the doors, decorative coving and iron stair spindles.

We have welcomed guests from all corners of the world and have been told some wonderful stories.  We like to think that you’ll arrive as guests but leave as friends.

Our comfy bedrooms have everything we’d like to find in a Guest House and  we are certain you’ll get a peaceful good nights sleep.

We have a great tasty breakfast selection and like nothing more than watching our guests tuck in. Many come back in the evening and say that they didn’t need any lunch as they were still full up.

Some of the most iconic photographic locations in Scotland are on our doorstep.  If you want to head out early to catch the sunrise on Rannoch Moor then please talk to us about an early breakfast. Or a later one if you’d like to go out first and then come back in.  

David’s porridge is talked about around the world. Just read some of our reviews. Though Catherine’s recent addition of Bircher (overnight soaked oats) is hot on it’s tail! 

We hold Visit Scotland’s Taste our Best Award for offering breakfasts made with locally sourced Scottish produce wherever possible. 

You’ll find us the perfect location if you enjoy rambling, walking, hiking or climbing.  

Should you get wet while out on your adventures we have a drying room. We can get most things dry and ready for your next day out and about.

In the evening you can relax in the Guest Lounge and enjoy your favourite tipple. We will light the fire on a chilly evening. And when the weather is favourable you’ll get to watch fabulous sunsets over the Ardgour Hills.

So if you are hankering to come to Scotland decide on some dates and check our availability.

We look forward to welcoming you to Fern Villa soon.