Our story
The Highland Bookshop is an independent bookshop in the heart of Fort William’s bustling High Street.
When we opened our doors in 2017, Fort William finally had its own specialist independent bookshop. Founded by local entrepreneur Angus MacDonald and the owners of the award-winning Aberfeldy Watermill, the shop was created to share a love of books, stories, and community with the West Highlands.
From the beginning, our vision has been to inspire readers of all ages, whether through Scottish history, outdoor adventures, or new literary discoveries. With the support of the local community and visitors from across Scotland and beyond, we have expanded across three storeys, trippling our space and growing our shelves.
Today, under the ownership of Angus MacDonald, the Highland Bookshop remains a proud part of Fort William’s community, serving readers with the same passion and purpose that inspired its beginnings.
A Wide and Wonderful Selection
We offer a diverse range of books for all ages and interests. Our shelves are filled with Scottish history and culture, the latest fiction and non-fiction, outdoor guides, politics, nature writing, and children's favourites.
We also hold one of the largest selections of outdoor books, maps, and guides to Scotland, making us the perfect starting point for walkers, climbers, and adventurers exploring the Highlands.
At the very top of the building, you’ll find out eclectic and ever-changing secondhand section filled with bargains and rare gems.
In the past year, we have expanded our collections even further, adding a broader range of graphic novels, folklore, young adult fiction, stationery, and local art prints.
Meet The Team
Whether you are looking for a rare find, a gift, or your next adventure in reading, our team is always happy to help with recommendations and special orders.
A great bookshop is about more than just what is on the shelves
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![Woman with short hair and glasses smiling outdoors on a city street, holding a children's book titled "The Chicken Thief" by Beatrice Rodriguez.]()
Kelsey
SHOP MANAGER
Originally hailing from Canada, Kelsey keeps the Highland Bookshop running. A fan of satirical fantasy, historical fiction, nature memoirs, investigative non-fiction and classic literature (with a soft spot for the Moomins), she brings warmth, wit, and the perfect dose of mischief to every day. She's also a brilliant author in her own right.
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![A young woman with brown hair and festive green leaf-shaped earrings is standing outside a bookstore, holding a stack of five books.]()
Alice
ASSISSTANT MANAGER
Our heart-first assistant manager, Alice finds magic in stories that explore human connection, resilience, and quiet transformation. She’s a devoted feline lover, Taylor Swift enthusiast, and always knows the perfect book to make you cry (in a good way).
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![A woman with glasses smiling and holding several books about Scotland, swimming, and paddleboarding.]()
Sandra
BOOKSELLER & STATIONERY CURATOR
Small but mighty, Sandra brings sharp wit and a keen eye for beautiful things to the shop. She curates our stationery and art sections with flair, and gravitates towards psychologically complex tales and anything written by John Boyne.
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![A smiling woman with curly brown hair and glasses holding four books in front of a framed map. The books are titled 'The Letter for the King,' 'Pessimism is for Lightweights,' 'A Woman's Opinion,' and one partially visible.]()
Sally
SECONDHAND & ANTIQUARIAN SPECIALIST
Hailing from Yorkshire, Sally is our secondhand expert and resident Walter Scott aficionado. She’s drawn to sweeping historical epics, eerie fantasy, and offbeat speculative fiction. She’s also the first person to call when you need a book title identified from the vaguest of plot descriptions.
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Rosie
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
The person behind our online presence (and the one making everyone stand still for "just one more photo"), Rosie's reading tastes lean towards lyrical, historical and a little heart-wrenching stories. She likes her fiction like she likes her Instagram captions: carefully crafted and slightly devastating.
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![A young girl with glasses and long wavy blonde hair smiling outdoors, holding up a book titled 'The Monsters & Creatures Compendium' from Dungeons & Dragons, in front of green leafy plants.]()
Gemma
BOOKSELLER & COMMUNITY DYNAMO
Kindness personified, Gemma is a ray of sunshine in the bookshop and beyond. She's part of the team behind Lochaber’s first-ever Pride event and brings her love of fantasy, nostalgic children’s reads, and epic quests to the shelves — all while championing LGBTQ+ stories with heart.
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![A young woman with red hair, wearing a strawberry-patterned shirt, smiling and holding two cookbooks, one titled 'Pam the Jam' and the other 'The Thrifty Baker', inside a bookstore with maps and a blackboard in the background.]()
Rianne
BOOKSELLER & SUMMER STAR
Returning for a second summer, Rianne is a colourful force of nature — quite literally. When she’s not climbing hills or baking delicious treats, she’s likely handcrafting something beautiful. A true nature and cookery section queen, her enthusiasm is as bright as her outfits.
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![A woman with brown hair, wearing glasses and a blue V-neck top, standing outdoors with a blurred green and brown wooded background.]()
Kirsteen
BOOKSELLER
Reader and writer of narrative non-fiction, Kirsteen joined us in June 2025. She has a regular colum in the Lochaber Times and her beautiful words have appeared in the Guardian, Caight by the River, and Northwords Now. Go to Kirsteen if you want recommendations for the best nature writing and romantasy - or if you fancy a chat about crofts, ravens or Star Trek: The Next Generation
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![A Halloween-themed display in a bookstore features a figure made of white cloth draped over a person, wearing glasses, holding a copy of 'Paddington's Trick or Treat' with a background of children’s books on shelves.]()
Bookshop Ghost
RESIDENT SPIRIT
A long-time presence at the Highland Bookshop, our resident ghost is friendly, curious, and mildly chaotic. Known for moving books, flickering lights, and occasionally setting off the alarm for fun, they’ve become an unofficial member of staff. Partial to gothic fiction, creaky floorboards, and a well-placed ellipsis...
Get in touch
If you would like to ask a question or place an order, you can reach us easily through our Contact Page or by emailing us directly.
Most special orders arrive within three to five days, and we can ship anywhere in the UK.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Happy reading!
