It is difficult to get across how superb this B&B was for us. We thought it would be good but it was better. Without a doubt the best we've ever stayed in. Aitken and Alison are the perfect hosts and have thought of absolutely everything, with a genuine wish to make your stay as perfect as possible. Full Sky TV access, internet access in your room (with the laptop provided!!), a green policy, DVDs, games, books, even a video recorder with a blank tape to record that favourite programme - you name it.... We stayed in the Ardgour Room in the top of the house with a beautiful vista view over Loch Linnhe. Lots of space, every modern amenity in a delightfully furnished and decorated room, and an EXTREMELY comfortable bed. Full breakfast is optional but a continental is included which you can add to if you like from a changing menu. With a visit to the Ben Nevis Inn just a few miles away for evening dinner (book!) - couldn't have been a better place to stay.

If you just want a roof over your head in Ft .Wul at a ridiculously low price and don't mind being treated like you're not there or like crap by the owners, then go to one of the other places on the main road into town from the south. However, if you're the type who books your accomodation taking Trip Advisor into account then you're the kind of person that'll appreciate this little gem.

The house is fastidiously, lovingly maintained and occupied in every nook by the wonderful spirit of warmth and openness the owners display. We stayed in the newly renovated studio room which is more of an apartment all its own. Modern, clean, great shower, luxurious bed and linen and a million dollar view from the huge windows. The food is amazingly well prepared and wide-reaching in menu content, we found it the best breakfast we'd eaten anywhere in recent memory. You almost wish, given the well-known dearth of good places to eat in Ft. Wul, that they did dinner too!

The owners are knowledgeable, affable, warm, honest and have time for guests - there when you need them and not there when you don't - absolutely the way B&B's should be managed. Generally, the line between it being their home and your accomodation for the night is all but invisible and how many B&B's can honestly claim that? Their wee Yorkie Terrier with the bad cough was even adorable!!

No hesitation in proclaiming it the best accomodation - period - in Fort William and we've stayed in hotels and B&B alike there many times. Don't make the mistake (as we've done heretofore) of comparing the prices of this place and the fancy tartan highland hotel in the middle of town and plumping for the hotel thinking it's by default better. I'm here to tell you it's not.

Excellent

I'm tempted - for selfish reasons you understand - to tell you that our five day break at Huntingtower Lodge was hell, a Fawlty Tower nightmare of unbelievable proportions - an out and out disaster.

It wasn't. Actually, this gem of a Scottish hideaway was so fabulous, I feel I should fiercely guard it from every other living soul. Even as I write this, I'm kicking myself for wanting to share it with you.

Why were we heading to Fort William - the rainiest part of the UK? Well, out of our suits, we like climbing things, jumping off things and generally chasing any sort of (legal) adrenalin high we can get. So this holiday was all about shaking hands with Ben Nevis.

Husband-on-the-verge-of-revolution hates B&Bs. Hates them. Hates feeling that he's staying in someonelse's house, prefering instead anonomous big chain hotels. This could be the B&B that changed his mind.

So what makes it so good? Well, for starters, Huntingtower has eco-credentials - but not in a hairshirt-wearing sort of a way. Lights are energy efficient. There's four acres of wild flower garden. For £10 a day, you can even hire the owners' fuel efficient Toyota Yaris. They will also pick you up from the local station, if you come up by rail.

Then there's the owners themselves, Alison and Aitken, who inbue the place with warmth and good humour, and a terrific knowledge of the local area which they're only too pleased to pass on to guests.

All this, before we get to the rooms. We loved the decor; light, airy - with perfect finishing touches like fluffy towelling dressing robes, Ecover products in the bathroom...a new selection of biscuits every day! Heaven.

All this, and some amazing views over Loch Linnhe and the hills beyond. Well worth the £84 a night (two sharing).

Me, I'd rather spend time watching the views over the loch, but for the techies among you, each room comes with TV, DVD player (there's a DVD library in the dining room), AND (get this!) a laptop with Wifi. How many Best Westerns do we know that do that then? Not many.

There are two words of warning I add in all this: Firstly, Alison's breakfasts (she shops locally where possible, one of her suppliers comes recommended by Rick Stein himself) were so good, I put on 4lb.

Then, and this is only a minor note of caution, the A82 runs by the front of the house. During the day, it's a busy route up to the Isles, but in the evening, it quietens down a lot.

Did we make it up Ben Nevis. Oooooh yes. And now we've already got the maps and compasses out for our next trip. You can guess where we want to stay!

Hungtower Lodge makes you realise that Britain CAN do hospitality and we can do it well. When you've stayed somewhere like Huntingtower, you wonder why on earth you ever bother to travel abroad.

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* PS We travelled up on the Sleeper train. Try it - that's great too and at the moment they're flogging Bargain berths for £18. Can't remember if that's return or single, but well worth a look!

what a little gem of a place to stay, we were made to feel totally at home by the owner and his wife, nothing was to much trouble.
Clean and fresh the bedrooms are brilliant you couldn't ask for more, better than 5 Star hotels please try for yourselves, we will be back