How M8 Scaffolding delivered safe access beside one of Scotland’s busiest roads
The Onich Hotel, just south of Fort William, is one of the most recognisable buildings on the A82 — the busy trunk road that snakes through the Highlands from Glasgow to Inverness. With spectacular views over Loch Linnhe and even the Isle of Mull on a clear day, the hotel sits in an enviable and very visible location.
When the new owners began a programme of modernisation, they approached M8 Scaffolding to install access scaffolding for crucial window renewal and cladding work. The job presented multiple challenges, including its proximity to fast-moving traffic, limited bay widths, and variable Scottish weather.
Complex access beside a busy road
Our role was to design and erect scaffolding to provide safe access around the hotel’s reception area, the front façade, and the rear of the building — all while working beside a busy road with heavy vehicle traffic. Special safety considerations were essential, so we used shorter bays than usual (900mm rather than 1300mm) and tied the scaffold securely into the building to ensure absolute stability.
As the job progressed, the contractor requested we leave the scaffold up for an additional three weeks to accommodate delays due to unpredictable weather — a common reality in the Highlands. We were happy to comply and provided weekly inspections throughout, ensuring the scaffold remained safe and fully compliant at every stage.
Why quality and scaffolding insurance matter
Although M8 Scaffolding wasn’t the cheapest quote, the client noted our high standards of workmanship and professionalism, and was especially reassured to learn that our insurance cover was fully up to scratch. Some cheaper competitors, on inspection, didn’t carry adequate insurance — a major concern on a job involving road-facing scaffold.
At M8 Scaffolding, we don’t cut corners. We put safety first, we work to the highest standards, and we deliver scaffolding that clients — and their insurers — can trust.
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