About McIntyre & Company Estate Agents in Fort William
Over 35 years of experience, professionalism and commitment to clients. With an office in Fort William’s busy High Street, we offer a comprehensive range of services to both business and private clients. Individual Partners and staff provide legal skills on a personal hands-on basis, delivering fast, cost effective solutions using the most up to date technical knowledge.
We also specialise in the purchase and sale of properties. Property purchases and sales are key areas of our legal practice and we have a dedicated Estate Agency Department providing sensitive advice on the marketing of property throughout the West Highlands of Scotland.
We are characterised by the giving of easily understood advice and a focus on the needs of the client. Problem solvers and advisors, not simply Solicitors, and our aim is to provide an effective solution where necessary. It is recognised that the success of our clients determines our own success.
With specific expertise and knowledge in relation to the property market, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, built up over many years, we are committed towards the use of the up to date marketing and information technology.
We believe in clarity in relation to communications with clients, legal fees, and the provision of cost effective solutions. With a friendly, understanding approach, we are able to meet the unique demands of clients with expertise and empathy.
Legal Team - Staff Profiles
Stephen Kennedy LLB NP - Partner
Stephen has over 35 years experience acting in civil cases litigated in the Sheriff Court, as well as the Court of Session. His work encompasses a broad range of contentious legal matters in both civil and criminal proceedings. Stephen’s clients include both individuals and commercial organisations. Stephen has particular expertise in family law cases, including applications for divorce, financial claims on divorce and separation, co-habitation claims, and child related disputes. He also deals with a variety of contractual and building disputes. Stephen also acts on behalf of a wide range of clients in both summary and solemn criminal proceedings in the High Court, Sheriff Court, and Justice of the Peace Court. He is instructed by clients in a range of criminal cases including road traffic issues, allegations of assault, general anti-social behaviour, benefits fraud, and sexual offences. Over many years, Stephen has gained considerable court experience. Stephen has been appointed on a number of occasions by the Sheriff Court as a Curator ad Litem and/or Reporting Officer to provide independent reports and recommendations in cases relating to the welfare of children. Stephen also advises clients on “Adults with Incapacity” legislation, including matters which are becoming of increasing importance particularly to older clients such as Powers of Attorney and Guardianship Orders.
Niall Macbeath LLB NP - Partner
Niall has a considerable number of years experience dealing with private client matters and advises on a wide range of legal issues. Niall’s particular areas of expertise include residential and commercial conveyancing, leases, executry administration and succession issues, including Wills and Trusts. Niall is also well versed in the drafting and administration of Powers of Attorney and advises clients in relation to the grant of such powers, as well as Attorneys, with particular regard to their rights and responsibilities. Niall regularly advises clients with regard to the “Adults with Incapacity” legislation, including disabled clients and the elderly. Niall has extensive experience in acting for individuals, commercial organisations, and charities. He has acted for local Housing Associations, including Lochaber Housing Association, for a number of years, dealing with the purchase of land, tenancy agreements, and actions of eviction in the Sheriff Court.
Marie-Luise Macdonald LLB NP - Partner
Marie deals with all aspects of domestic and commercial conveyancing, and also residential and commercial leases. She also has a particular interest and expertise in advising the elderly and disabled in connection with the grant of Powers of Attorney and applications to the Sheriff Court for Guardianship Orders. Marie also has a number of years experience in dealing with the winding up of estates on death and the preparation of Wills. She often advises clients regarding the administration of both testate and intestate estates, from the stage of submitting applications for Confirmation to the Sheriff Court, to the in-gathering and distribution of the estate. Marie also has experience in dealing with family law matters, including applications to the Sheriff Court for residence and contact orders. She has experience of drafting court papers and appearing in the Sheriff Court on behalf of both the Pursuer and the Defender in family actions. Marie also has experience in dealing with Children’s Referral cases in the Sheriff Court and is able to provide advice in relation to cases before the Children’s Panel.
Carol Ross - Office Manager and Paralegal
Good office management is behind every successful law firm. Carol brings organisation and efficiency to the everyday office needs of the firm. Well known for her communication skills which have been gained over a period of almost 30 years, dealing with a wide variety of legal and management issues, in her capacity as both Office Manager and Paralegal. In her capacity as a Paralegal, Carol is a member of the Scottish Paralegal Association.
Carol has extensive experience in family court matters such as divorce and contact issues and also deals with Executries and the drafting of Wills and Powers of Attorney.
Property Team - Staff Profiles
Tracey Kerr - Property Manager
Tracey joined the property sales team at McIntyre and Company in 2007. She has acquired considerable experience in the sale and marketing of properties and is able to offer a wealth of knowledge, particularly in relation to the local West Highland property market. Tracey is highly motivated and has helped to develop McIntyre & Company’s reputation for excellent customer service by consistently going to great lengths for her clients and recognising the value of properties as homes. Tracey’s focus is ensuring that we are able to provide the best possible service to buyers and sellers alike whilst helping the business grow as one of the West Highland’s leading independent Estate Agents. Tracey, and her colleagues in the property sales team, will professionally promote your property to prospective buyers. Her courteous manner and knowledgeable attitude have been commended by many property viewers and subsequent purchasers.
About Our Area
and Living in Fort William
Great news particularly if you love the outdoors. You can spend many days in Fort William and the Lochaber Area without breaking the bank. The town of Fort William is recognised as the Outdoor Capital of the UK so let your adventure begin right here.
Fort William marks the end of the West Highland Way, Scotland’s oldest and most popular long distance walk and also the start of the Great Glen Way. A steady stream of footsore travellers coming into the town from Glen Nevis is a reminder of just how far the 96 miles from Milngavie, near Glasgow, really is. The West Highland Way concludes at the south end of Fort William’s main High Street, where you are greeted by the seated, bronze statue of a resting hill walker looking out towards Loch Linnhe. The start of the Great Glen Way can be found within the Old Fort, on the shores of Loch Linnhe, near the railway station.
Whilst the Lochaber area offers a huge range of activities, events and attractions, the following should not be missed:
Ben Nevis: (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Nibheis) Great Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis towers at 4413 feet above sea level (1,345 metres) and is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William.The mountain is a popular destination, attracting over 300,000 ascents a year, the cliffs of the north face are amongst the highest in Scotland, providing amazing mountaineering climbs. They are also the principal locations in Scotland for ice climbing.
The Annual Ben Nevis Race: A hugely popular event taking place on the first Saturday of September. The first official race took place in 1951, and nowadays up to 600 hardy souls take on the challenge. Many competitors will compete every year, some have completed the race 21 times and for this there is a Connochie Plaque to recognise their achievement. Our very own Niall MacBeath (Solicitor) has just one more gruelling races to reach this goal.The first timed ascent was by William Swan, a local Fort William barber in 1895, when he ran from the Old Post Office in Fort William completing the race in 2 hours 41 minutes.The current record is held by Kenny Stuart of Keswick Athletics club who ran the race in 1984 in a time of 1 hours, 25 minutes and 34 seconds albeit starting from Claggan Park which is about 1 mile closer to Ben Nevis.
Nevis Range: Recognised as being an excellent model of a low-impact mountain development, primarily due to how it was constructed. The construction was brought in through use of helicopters rather than bulldozed tracks. Bulldozing was not permitted on the pistes, ultimately prevented long term damage to the environment.Further development in 1997 saw the addition of a chairlift now locally known as the Braveheart Chairlift, providing uplift access to the off-piste expanse. Autumn 2000 brought completion of the lengthening to the downhill mountain bike track further up the mountain to enable Gondola access.Since then Nevis Range has developed immensely and became the first venue to host all three World Cup Mountain Bike Championships and it was voted the rider’s favourite destination on the tour cementing Nevis Range’s recognised position as being one of the top mountain biking destinations in the world. It continues to host the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup annually, and has played host to numerous other international and national events.
Inverlochy Castle Ruin: Inverlochy Castle is a ruined 13th-century medieval fortress with a bloody history and the site of two battles. The castle remains largely unchanged since its construction, whereas very few castles from the 1200’s survive unaltered in Scotland today. Inverlochy Castle is now under the care of Historic Scotland, the Castle is well worth a visit.
The Old Fort: Almost invisible to passing traffic on the shores of Loch Linnhe close to the roundabout at the northern end of the dual carriageway bypassing the town centre. Constructed in stone in the 17th century, it withstood a siege during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and was subsequently used as the base for the hunt of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Little remains of the Fort today as the town’s railway station was built upon the original site.
Neptune’s Staircase: A couple of miles west, of Corpach, you can admire Neptune’s Staircase of locks on the Caledonian Canal. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Britain. This dramatic eight lock flight is situated in Banavie, just north of Fort William. This amazing feat of engineering raises the canal by 19m (62ft) over a quarter of a mile of continuous masonry and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks.
The West Highland Museum: (PH33 6AT) The West Highland Museum in the centre of the town is excellent and is focused on regional life and history. Their most renowned and unusual collection relates to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite cause. They also hold a wealth of curious and fascinating collections relating to less well-known aspects of the lives of the people of the West Highlands. Entry is free of charge.
St Andrew’s Church: (PH33 6BA) St Andrew’s Church, towards the north end of the High Street, has a very attractive interior. The focal point of the Church is the sanctuary, which is dominated by the altar. The pillars featured within the arched design of the altar are made of Connemara marble. The bishop’s seat on one side of the sanctuary is a reminder that the Church was originally intended to serve as a Cathedral, though this never happened. The choir stalls that line each side of the sanctuary are very striking, it is said that some 14th Century Oak from Exeter Cathedral was used in their construction. There are Commonwealth War Graves within the Churchyard.
Ben Nevis Distillery: (PH33 6TJ) Established in 1825, Ben Nevis Distillery is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland, nestled at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Enjoy a guided tour around this old whisky distillery where you will meet a giant of a man, “Hector McDram”. Visit the restaurant and whisky shop, ‘take a dram’ and savour the Uisge beatha – the water of life. This distillery has a lot to offer in the way of charm and a friendly welcome.