Date Published: 3rd July 2017
In a major boost to the high street of the adventure capital of the UK, The Highland Bookshop will be opened by Alexander McCall Smith, at 1pm on Friday 14th July.
The first independent bookshop in Fort William for many decades is being set up by Kevin & Jayne Ramage, owners of the Watermill Bookshop in Aberfeldy, a former winner of ‘UK Independent Bookshop of the Year’, in collaboration with Angus MacDonald, a Lochaber-based author and entrepreneur.
Alexander McCall Smith said, “I am delighted to be opening The Highland Bookshop. For the first time in generations the area will have a bookshop of its own – an independent bookshop that will know and cater for its customers, local and visitor alike. It will be a huge boost for the region and i look forward to shopping there whenever I am in the area. Its sister shop in Aberfeldy has been a great success and attracts visitors from across the country. These booksellers offer a vision of the future that is very positive for book buyers everywhere – readers and writers are in safe hands!”
Kevin Ramage added: “Being in a large attractive premises at the centre of the High Street, the bookshop will have a positive impact on the whole of Fort William town centre. As well as selling books and stationery, we will hold regular events and be a venue for reading and writing groups and we hope that the shop will become a cultural and social hub for Lochaber.”
Angus MacDonald said: “Having grown up in the area, I’m very excited about being able to open a new and upmarket business in the high street which will be great asset for the town.”
Alexander McCall Smith will be at The Highland Bookshop from 1pm-2pm on Friday 14th July when he will be opening the shop, meeting the public and signing copies of his books.
UPDATE: The opening was a great success and very well attended. Read more here.