Meet our Team
MacPhee & Partners is one of the largest legal and property firms in the Highlands and Islands. Established in 1996, we are a young and modern business. We pride ourselves in not just doing things the traditional way, instead tailoring each thing we do – whether it be a legal issue or selling your house – to the individual needs of you, our client, and the circumstances of each case.
Our modern offices are therefore in the heart of both Fort William and Oban, open all day and on Saturday. Our lawyers, estate agents and other legal and property staff are pretty much always on hand. Each of our solicitors are specialists in particular fields as well as having the widest general experience in not only the legal requirements of this part of Scotland, but also the practical realities and issues of the area.
Partners & Directors
Managing Partner
Areas of Expertise: Commercial Law
Christine grew up in the Highlands and after a 20 year career in the central belt she made the decision to move back into the area with her husband, Angus, a teacher, and their two children. Christine joined the Firm in 2014 and is now a Partner and the head of our Commercial Department.
Christine has acted for a number of Scotland’s largest land developers in the acquisition, development and sale of large-scale housing and mixed residential/commercial sites. She also has significant expertise in relation to the purchase, sale and leasing of industrial and retail developments, the latter for both Landlords and Tenants and in relation to the sale and disposal of hotels and other licensed premises. She has acted for small, locally owned businesses and larger companies alike.
Christine’s years of experience means she is able to provide clients of the Firm with clear and consistent legal advice, having given due consideration to the practical and commercial considerations of a transaction.
Christine is also a member of the Board of West Highland College.
Email Christine at: [email protected]
Partner
Areas of Expertise: Family Law, Guardianships & Residential Tenancies
Born and bred in Lochaber, Claire started working with MacPhee and Partners in 2004 and has since risen through the ranks. After obtaining a Paralegal Certificate in Property Law, Claire then completed the Law Society of Scotland’s professional exams in 2012 (law degree equivalent) and a Diploma in Legal Practice (with Distinction) in 2013 at the University of Glasgow.
Claire won Trainee Solicitor of the Year at the Scottish Law Awards in 2014 and qualified as a Solicitor in March 2015. Claire heads up our Family Law Team and also deals with Guardianship applications in the Sheriff Court and all Residential Tenancies.
Claire is also a black belt and former British champion in judo!
Email Claire at: [email protected]
Partner
Accredited Specialist in Crofting Law
Jeremy qualified as a Solicitor in Scotland in 2001 and joined the firm that year. He already had a broad legal experience having worked as a Solicitor in England since 1986, where he undertook a wide range of work with an emphasis on civil court cases.
At MacPhee and Partners, Jeremy specialises in crofting law and rural conveyancing including land court applications. His expertise in crofting law was recognised in 2011 when he was accredited by the law society as a crofting law specialist. He undertakes work on behalf of tenants, owner occupiers, landlords and grazing shareholders as well as referrals from other legal firms. His practice encompasses both non contentious work such as croft purchases, renewable schemes, advising on a wide range of regulatory applications including decrofting, assignations, croft registrations and succession planning; as well as contentious work where he represents clients both at hearings before the Crofting Commission and in cases in the Scottish Land Court. He also instructs and works with advocates in complex cases and in appeals to the Court of Session.
In addition to the legal complexities of crofting, Jeremy is also familiar with some of the practical aspect as, together with his wife, he runs the family croft.
Email Jeremy at: [email protected]
Partner
Keith is the Head of our Residential Conveyancing Department, and has been with the Firm since 2007, having previously been the Area Solicitor with Highland Council and Clerk to the Lochaber Licensing Board. He has many years of experience of domestic and commercial conveyancing and licensing, and now largely deals with domestic and commercial property sale/purchases, and licensing work.
Outside of work, Keith is a keen sailor and active member of Lochaber Yacht Club. When not afloat he is usually to been seen playing some kind of musical instrument including the French Horn and Trumpet in Lochaber Community Wind Band, the Great Glen Swing Band or the local Baptist Church Band.
Email Keith at: [email protected]
Director of Property
Area of Expertise: Estate Agency
Katie oversees the whole of MacPhee & Partners’ Estate Agency business across Argyll and Lochaber. Katie joined MacPhee & Partners as an Estate Agent in 2007 after several years in Glasgow, during which she gained a Marketing Degree. Coming from a remote village on the Ardnamurchan peninsula has given Katie a unique insight into the rural property market. She has quickly risen to become one of the leading experts and operators in the West Highland residential property market.
Email Katie at:
[email protected]
Partner
Areas of Expertise: Family Law & Private Client
Billie grew up in Oban. She attended the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh to complete her Law degree and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. Upon graduating from the Diploma, Billie returned to her hometown of Oban to pursue her career. Billie qualified as a solicitor in July 2017, focusing on Private Client, Civil Court and Family Law. She is now a Partner of the Firm, heading up our Oban office.
Outside of work, Billie sits as a Director on the Board of Family Mediation, Argyll & Bute. She was previously on the Board of Governors of Argyll College but recently resigned from the board to take up a lecturing position with the College, teaching Legal Studies a few hours each week. As an advocate for the beauty of the work/life balance which comes with rural living, Billie is passionate about the development of opportunities in education and training for individuals within Argyll and Bute.
If she’s not in the office or classroom and not in a Board meeting, you’ll find her at home, stuck into some DIY, or out with her dogs, walking the hills and beaches.
Email Billie at: [email protected]
Partner
Areas of Expertise: Private Client and Property Law
Craig grew up in Ayr and Edinburgh, before attending University in Aberdeen. Following qualifying as a solicitor, he worked in Aberdeen and, briefly, Wick before moving to Fort William in 1997 where he worked at MacArthur Stewart, laterally as a Partner, until the firm merged with MacPhee & Partners in June 2022. Craig has experience across a broad range of property, executry and private client matters, and is well placed to guide clients through the complexities of such.
He is married to Ishbel and has 3 children. Outside of work, Craig is an active member and Elder at Kilmallie Free Church. He is also a keen cyclist (in all weathers) and skier (when weather permits).
Email Craig at: [email protected]
Solicitors, Paralegals & Trainees
Senior Associate Solicitor
MacPhee & Partners Solicitors and Estate Agents are delighted to offer our services on the picturesque island of Tiree.
As the leading West Highland Estate Agents and Solicitors, MacPhee & Partners understand the requirements and needs of their clients in more remote areas. The Tiree office will work together with our existing Oban and Fort William offices to deliver an “on the door” service for the Islanders. Our large team of legal and property professionals provide expertise on Property Sales and Estate Agency, Conveyancing, Family law, Crofting and Agriculture, Business and Commercial law, Employment and Wills and Executry law.
Who better to run the Tiree office than native, Heather MacArthur, Senior Associate! Heather has a wealth of legal knowledge, but more importantly Island experience. After studying and working in Glasgow for a number of years, it was always Heather’s ambition to return home to raise her young family, as well as bring her legal skills to the community.
Heather can be contacted at:
Land Line: 01631 562308
Email: [email protected]
Legal Assistant
Areas of expertise: Wills and Executries
Mairi is a MacPhee & Partners institution! She has been with the firm since its founding in 1996.
Mairi administers the numerous wills and executries that the firm deals with each year. Always understanding and sympathetic to what are often difficult times for families, Mairi supports the solicitors in the writing of wills, trusts and estate planning, and deals with the practicalities of winding up of estates.
Beyond MacPhees, Mairi and her family are leading stalwarts of Lochaber Rugby Club!
E-mail Mairi at: [email protected]
Paralegal
Fiona joined the Firm in 2014, and in 2019 her hard work was recognised at the Scottish Legal Awards, where she was awarded Paralegal of the Year! Fiona has a broad experience of property transactions, covering both commercial and residential files. She has also been involved in many renewable energy projects and the project financing of renewable energy deals. Fiona has acted for, amongst others, developers, landowners and funders and, with nearly 20 years’ experience, is very capable in carrying out property due diligence. Fiona also has significant experience in acting for financial institutions and insolvency practitioners and in dealing with the acquisition and sale of residential, commercial and rural properties. Fiona provides pragmatic and solution driven advice. She has an excellent understanding of clients’ expectations who appreciate her enthusiastic and approachable manner.
Outside of the office Fiona sits on the Committee of the Local MacMillan charity and is currently sitting her Law Society exams to enable her to qualify as a Solicitor.
E-mail Fiona at: [email protected]
Paralegal
Morven was born and brought up in Fort William. Having lived in Edinburgh for a number of years working for large law firms, where she obtained her Paralegal qualification, she returned to “home” to the Fort. She was a senior member of our Conveyancing Department, however has recently moved to our Private Client Department and is currently studying for a Specialist Paralegal qualification in Wills, Trusts & Executries.
In her spare time Morven enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
E-mail Morven at: [email protected]
Paralegal
Sandi has lived in Fort William all her life and she joined MacPhee and Partners when she was just 17 years old. At this time, she worked alongside Rosemary MacPhee in our Conveyancing Department but later went on to assist in our Court Department.
Sandi qualified as a Family Law Paralegal in 2010 and now assists Claire MacAlpin – the Head of our Family Law Department – with all her cases, from initial instruction through to completion. Sandi is often the first point of contact for clients and, with her years of experience, offers a knowledgeable and understanding ear.
Outside of work, Sandi enjoys spending quality time with her children, Jude and Lana and her family and friends, going to the gym and is partial to a wee prosecco!
Email Sandi at: [email protected]
Paralegal
Kirsten, who is originally from East Kilbride, moved to Argyll in 2018 and joined MacPhee & Partners in 2019 as a Secretary to Fiona Anderson. She completed her Paralegal Qualification in November 2020 and now continues to assist Fiona with the purchase, sale and remortgage of residential properties within the Argyll area.
In her spare time (when not running after her new cockapoo puppy, Peigi!) Kirsten enjoys walking and cycling and spending time with family and friends.
Email Kirsten at: [email protected]
Paralegal
Born and brought up in Fort William. Angie is married and has 3 children.
Angie has worked in legal firms in Scotland and Republic of Ireland since she was 17 and started with MacPhee & Partners in 2017. Angie began her studies to become a Paralegal in 2022, and qualified earlier this year. Angie assists Christine Mackay in our commercial department, and Keith Falconer in our residential conveyancing department.
Angie loves being out on one of her many bikes, running in the hills or in the gym when she has spare time.
Email Angelina at: [email protected]
Trainee Solicitor
Eilidh originally hails from Glasgow but, in May 2022, decided to pack up her belongings and made the move to Fort William.
Eilidh initially studied Politics and Social Policy, after which she worked for a solicitor in Glasgow and, with their support, returned to University to gain her legal qualifications. Throughout University Eilidh worked part-time and also had her own caseload of Criminal Injury Compensation Authority Claims. She gained her LLB from the University of Strathclyde and Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Aberdeen.
Eilidh has worked in several law firms, including a corporate firm within their personal injury department, a criminal and immigration firm and, most recently, a firm that focused primarily on private client and conveyancing matters. Eilidh is currently based in our Family Law Department.
Since moving to the Fort, Eilidh is embracing her inner tourist and looks forward to conquering Ben Nevis and perhaps doing some island hopping during the summer months.
Email Eilidh at: [email protected]
Trainee Solicitor
Cameron is Edinburgh born and educated and he recently moved to the west to become a Trainee Solicitor with the Firm.
Cameron completed his undergraduate studies at Edinburgh Napier University studying Law LLB with Accountancy. Following this he studied his postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Edinburgh. Upon graduating in 2022 he joined our Oban team. While studying in Edinburgh, Cameron worked with various legal firms gaining a knowledge of property, tax, and environmental law. Primarily, he worked within property management and lettings, advising parties on legal obligations and mediating disputes.
Being new to the area, when not in the office you will find Cameron at the gym or exploring one of the many great golf courses that the west has to offer.
Email Cameron at: [email protected]
Trainee Solicitor
Born and raised in Fort William, Franchesca moved to Stirling in 2015 to undertake her initial studies. During this time, Franchesca spent a number of years working and traveling across America, before moving to Australia for a year following the completion of her first degree.
On her return home, Franchesca continued her studies, obtaining her Law Degree from Strathclyde University, and her Diploma in Legal Practice from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Currently, Franchesca is situated within our Private Client department.
Franchesca is a keen cook, and when not at work, can usually be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes, or socialising with family and friends!
Email Franchesca at: [email protected]
Estate Agents
Estate Agent
Fiona joined the team in 2014, bringing with her a many years of experience in customer service and sales. Originally from Onich and now living in Spean Bridge, her local knowledge and friendly manner have made a very positive impact in our Fort William office where she has quickly grasped the high demands the role requires. Her ability to instantly put clients at ease and understand their needs is a major strength, whilst an interest in design and photography is invaluable when creating our high quality sales literature.
Contact Fiona on:
01397 702200 or 01631 565251
[email protected]
Elizabeth, born and bred in Fort William, joined our Estate Agency team in April 2021 after 9 years working in the banking industry. Elizabeth brings with her a vast amount of experience in sales and customer service, and loves interacting with all our clients and purchasers. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family and friends.
You can contact Elizabeth on:
01397 702200 or 01631 565251
[email protected]