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Here in the Highlands, we live in a relatively remote area but we are blessed with easy access to excellent shops, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants.
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Groceries: Provisions and newspapers can be purchased in Spean Bridge’s well stocked SPAR shop and Post Office, where there is also a 24 hour cash dispenser. In Fort William, 12 miles away, we have Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi. There is also a Marks and Spencers Food Hall, Home Bargains and a small Tesco on the High Street. Other stores include two Co-ops, Poundstretcher, Argos, Boots and W.H.Smith. There is an amazing fresh fish shop (Iain Stewart) and a really impressive butchers (Lochaber Larder).
Garages: In Fort William, there are several petrol stations (BP, Esso, Gleaner and Morrisons) and several garages that deal with repairs and punctures etc. In Roy Bridge, there is an electric charging point in the village square.
Local Amenities
Food and Drink: In Roy Bridge, there are three hotels serving food and drink: Glen Spean Lodge Hotel, The Stronlossit Hotel and The Roy Bridge Hotel. In Spean Bridge, notable eating places include Smiddy House, The Bridge Café, The Old Pines Restaurant, The Old Station Restaurant.
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In Fort William, there are many options on the High Street. But particularly noteworthy is the 200 year old Ben Nevis Inn in Glen Nevis which is extremely popular with walkers as they complete their Ben Nevis adventure.
Transport: Roy Bridge benefits enormously from its railway station which lies on the famous West Highland line; you can take a trip from the village to Corrour (the highest station in the UK with its own restaurant: 20 minutes), to Fort William, Glenfinnan (crossing the Harry Potter viaduct!), Arisaig (and it silver sands) and Mallaig (gateway to the islands).
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A three and a half hour journey will take you to Glasgow. The famous Caledonian Sleeper will bring you directly to the village overnight from London Euston, arriving in Roy Bridge at 9.30 in the morning.
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There is a regular bus service from Roy Bridge to Fort William. At Spean Bridge, you can catch a bus to Glasgow or Inverness or even one that will take you to Uig on the west coast of the beautiful Isle of Skye where you can then catch a ferry to the Outer Hebrides.
Worship: The Braes of Lochaber have a long, illustrious Christian history. The parents of Australia’s first saint (Mary MacKillop) were raised in these ancient glens. In St Margaret’s RC Church, Roy Bridge, there is beautiful shrine in honour of their daughter, Saint Mary of the Cross. Sunday Mass is held here at 11.30am. At St. Joseph’s RC Church in Spean Bridge, the vigil mass is held on Saturday evenings at 6.30pm. Daily mass is shared between the two churches. High above Spean Bridge just off the A82, Kilmonivaig Parish Church (Church of Scotland) holds its Sunday services at 9.30 a.m.
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Visitors should visit the ancient Catholic chapel and burial ground of Cille Choirill to the east of Roy Bridge with its spectacular position (The Hill of the Angels) looking out over the mountains and glens of Lochaber.
