West Highlands guesthouse changes hands

The Distant Hills guesthouse in the West Highlands village of Spean Bridge has been sold to first-time buyer Peter McIntosh and his wife.

The guesthouse, which holds a four-diamond rating from the AA and a four-star tourist board grading, enjoys year-round trade from tourists, walkers, climbers and skiers.

The village is near Fort William in Monarch of the Glen country and the guesthouse's split-level residents' lounge affords panoramic views of Grey Corries, Ben Nevis, and Aonach Mor.

Along with seven en-suite bedrooms and a 14-seat dining room, Distant Hills has a burn with waterfalls and ponds within its landscaped gardens, which cover three-quarters of an acre.

The ground and first floors provide two bedrooms (one en-suite), a bathroom and an open plan lounge, dining room and kitchen for the owners.

The Edinburgh office of Colliers Robert Barry sold the guesthouse off a guide price of £425,000 on behalf of Derek and Margaret Pratt, who are retiring.

By Angela Frewin