Coaching

Shiel Buses is a local family-owned business in the Scottish Highlands celebrating over 45 successful years in business. It was founded in 1978 where the company acquired two buses to run services from Moidart and Ardnamurchan to Fort William.  Over the next 45yrs the fleet and workload steadily grew and Shiel Buses is now one of the most long-standing and successful family-owned businesses in Lochaber.  Today, Shiel Buses run 50 vehicles and employs approximately 80 staff.  

The company prides itself on providing services to the outlying communities in the family’s homeland, as well as town service to Fort William and its locality.  An abundance of touring work is undertaken in the summer months and Shiel Buses can be seen all over the UK providing luxury transport for outings, day trips, cruise ship excursions as well as extended tours for domestic and international travel companies and private groups.  Since 2014 Shiel Buses have had a close working relationship with Scottish Citylink and provide vehicles for their services between Glasgow and the Isle of Skye, and Fort William and Inverness.

The company operates from bases in Acharacle and Fort William. Both premises are modern purpose-built workshops and garage facilities for servicing and maintenance of the fleet to maintain a continuously high standard.

Our main depot is based in Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, allowing us to provide coach hire to the numerous walkers and climbers that visit the mountainous area every year. We also provide coach transfers for all major rail companies including the famous Jacobite Steam train to Glenfinnan and Mallaig.

Our touring fleet is made up of Vanhool and Plaxton bodied coaches running on proven Volvo and Daf chassis, maximising comfort and reliability.  We also have Mercedes midi-coaches for groups of up to 30, and Mercedes Sprinter mini-buses for groups up to 19.  Comfort is optimum in all vehicles with reclining seats, climate-controlled air conditioning, and some have USB charging points throughout.  The entire touring fleet meets Euro 6 standards for emissions, meaning we have no issues entering clean air zones in all major cities.

Fleet

Plaxton

Plaxton

• 49 reclining seats with
  3 point seatbelts
• Air conditioning
• Washroom and toilet
• Fridge
• CD and DVD with 2 screens
• Luggage space

Vanhool

Vanhool

• 49 reclining seats
• 2 point seatbelts
• Air conditioning
• Fridge
• CD and DVD
• Toilet
• Luggage space

Mercedes Cheetah

Mercedes Cheetah

• 29 seats
• LEZ (London Emissions Zone)
  Compliant
• 3 Point Safety Belts
• Reading Lights
• Air Conditioning
• Parcel Racks
• Power Door
• Double Glazing
• DVD/Video
• Radio/CD
• P.A. system
• Reclining Seats
• Full Draw Curtains

Mercedes Sprinter

Mercedes Sprinter

• 16 luxury reclying seats
  with arm rests
• Air conditioning
• CD player
• Double glazing
• Luggage space