As a lover of the great outdoors and an avid hiker at heart, making the lengthy pilgrimage up to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands has long been a dream of mine.
Wedged between the sparkly waters of Loch Linnhe and jaw-dropping mountainside of Ben Nevis, this rugged and pint-sized town is commonly hailed as the ‘outdoor capital of the UK’.
Having finally travelled to Fort William for the first time during a road trip last summer, safe to say our visit lived up to expectations and more!
Why is Fort William so popular?
Located in the heart of the Lochaber region, Fort William is the perfect hub for exploring the Scottish Highlands since it’s easily reachable and a convenient distance from many of the area’s main attractions.
The awe-inspiring landscape, the breezy mountain air and the sheer assortment of outdoorsy activities to get stuck into; upon arrival it soon becomes clear why this wee town is so highly regarded.
From boat tours and local whiskey distilleries, to historic castles, iconic filming locations and epic fell hikes – you’ll certainly be in no shortage of things to do during your stay!
Nevertheless, with so much to choose from, sometimes planning your trip can feel a little overwhelming. Just how do you go about whittling down all those great options?
Fresh off our trip and keen to help our readers, we’ve compiled a definitive guide of (what we consider) the very best things to do during your time in Fort William.
In no particular order, let’s get to it 👇👇
Things to do in Fort William
Climb Ben Nevis
No Fort William guide would be complete without starting with the daddy of all fell hikes!
Standing at a mind-boggling 1,345 metres above sea level, Ben Nevis is officially the highest peak in the UK and dominates the Scottish Highlands for miles and miles
Luring in thousands of ramblers each year, eager to summit the mountain and cross the Ben off their bucket lists, this legendary climb is equally arduous as it is rewarding.
Offering unrivalled views of the Scottish countryside throughout, on a clear day the vistas from up top are simply out of this world.
For those who may struggle climbing the full length, many hikers opt for a more leisurely approach and instead walk only part-way up, which is still great fun yet nowhere near as taxing.
For more detailed information on climbing Ben Nevis, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to summiting the Scottish mountain here.
Fun fact – You very well may come across some brave hikers on the trail attempting the National Three Peaks Challenge, which involves climbing Ben Nevis, followed by Scafell Pike and Snowdon all in the space of just 24 hours!
Address: Ben Nevis Visitor Centre, Glen Nevis, Fort William PH33 6PF
Jump on a boat trip
Heading back towards the centre of Fort William, undoubtedly one of my favourite excursions during our trip was the sea life boat tour.
As you sail along the sparkling loch, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals, fish, large mussel farms and breath-taking panoramas of the Scottish Highlands throughout the course of the trip.
We had a particularly informative captain who also shared insight around the rich history of the area – extremely interesting for history nerds such as myself 🤓
Fun fact – The sailor also told us about the world-renowned Fort William Diving School. Did you know that it’s the world’s most advanced subsea testing facility?
Take a trip to Glencoe Village
Just a 25-minute drive south from Fort William, visiting the idyllic village of Glencoe feels like stepping back in time.
A humble & historic settlement surrounded by the dramatic Highland Mountain range, the picturesque village is well worth a visit and also serves as a great starting point for numerous hikes.
Image Caption – Burrowed in the heart of the Lochaber Geopark, Glencoe is official labelled as An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Perhaps our favourite walking route from the village would be the Glencoe Lochan Trail; a short but scenic stroll around the loch’s glistening waters and through the enchanted woodlands populated with Canadian conifers.
For fanboys (and fangirls) of Harry Potter, you also need to check out the nearby spot where they filmed Hagrid’s Hut. Taking the south-east road from Glencoe village, the gentle stroll is only 2 miles in length and while the hut is no longer sitting atop the hill, the scenery on display is still as magical as ever.
Interested? Then be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to visiting Hagrid’s Hut!
Address: Glencoe, Ballachulish
Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct and explore Loch Shiel
Speaking of Harry Potter, the most renowned filming location of the movies can be found 17 miles west of Fort William at the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Instantly recognisable to Potter heads, the viaduct is one of the most iconic spots in the Scottish Highlands and attracts droves of visitors each year who come to see the train steam by for themselves.
While you’re here, why not also check out the marvelous views on offer at Loch Shiel nestled just across the road?
Address: 2 Erracht, A830, Banavie, Fort William PH37 4LT
Hop on the Harry Potter train
For those aren’t satisfied with merely viewing the Harry Potter train chug along the viaduct, why not purchase a ticket and take a ride on the Hogwarts Express for yourself?!
Arguably the most iconic locomotive in the world, the Jacobite steam train runs two trips a day during season and actually uses some of the very same carriages seen in the movies!
A journey crammed full of interest and extremes, along the way you’ll pass Britain´s highest mountain, shortest river, most westerly station, deepest sea Loch at Mallaig and most famous viaduct at Glenfinnan.
For all the information you need regarding times and prices, please be sure to check out the official Westcoast Railways website.
Take a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery
I’m by no means a big drinker, but I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the historic Ben Nevis whiskey distillery.
Founded by John “Long John” MacDonald in 1825, Ben Nevis Distillery rests at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain and has sourced its water from the peak for over 200 years.
One of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland, a standard ticket comes with an informative guided tour followed by a fun whisky tasting session back at the bar afterwards!
Despite not being much of a whiskey man, it was absolutely fascinating to see the care and thought that goes into making a top-quality whiskey.
My girlfriend was the designated driver on this day too so by the end of the tour I was also pleasantly tipsy! I even bagged myself one of their snazzy looking bottles which currently sits proudly on the kitchen shelf.
The Visitor’s Centre here also houses a quaint café, which serves light bites from 10am-3pm.
What’s Included? |
Standard Tour | £12 | Guided tour and tasting of two whiskies |
Classic Tour | £20 | Guided tour and tasting of four whiskies |
Under-18s | £5 | Guided tour ONLY |
Address: Lochy Bridge, Fort William PH33 6TJ
Be dazzled by Eilean Donan Castle
You can’t really go wrong with visiting any one of the legendary castles scattered around the Scottish Highlands. Nevertheless, one which particularly stood out above the rest was Eilean Donan.
A 13th Century castle residing on a tiny tidal island around 1 hour 30 minutes from Fort William, the journey is admittedly a little far, but it’s unquestionably worth the effort for history buffs or those simply wanting to check out the wonderfully enchanted landscape.
One of the most iconic images of Scotland, the Eilean Donan island sits where three great sea lochs meet (Duich, Long & Alsh) and has been used in various films, TV shows, fashion shoots and music videos over the years.
Castle Admission Prices
Eilean Donan Ticket |
Adults | £10 |
Concessions (Seniors Aged 60+) | £9 |
Family (2 Adults + 3 Children Age 5-15) | £29 |
Children (aged 5+) | £6 |
Under 5s | Free |
Top tip – For a virtual visit, why not check out the LIVE Eilean Donan webcam here!
Discover the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle
For those wanting to check out a castle a little closer to Fort William, you really need to see the 13th century ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle.
Located only around one mile from the town on the shimmering banks of River Lochy, the castle has remained largely unaltered through the ages and is notorious as the site of both battles of Inverlochy.
For a virtual tour of these fascinating medieval ruins, feel free to head over to the 360 Castles official site here!
Drive along the ‘James Bond Road’
Dubbed as the most beautiful road in Scotland, Glen Etive road was famously used as a shooting location for the 2012 blockbuster hit, James Bond Skyfall.
Coming in at 20.11km (12.5 miles) in length, the breathtaking drive shows the Scottish Highlands in all their marvelous glory, although the road is very winding and narrow so please take care and use passing places for overtaking.
A one hour journey south from Fort William, the famed road is only a short drive from Glencoe Village and so perhaps best tied in during your visit here.
Walk along the Silver Sands of Morar, Mallaig
Fancying a change of scenery from all the fell and woodland trails in Lochaber? Then the Silver Sands of Morar might just be for you.
Around a one-hour drive from Fort William, the marvellous series of white sandy beaches are dotted all along the coastline from Arisaig to Morar and can easily be accessed on foot via a gentle 2.5 mile circular coastal route.
The ideal spot for a wee paddle, the crystal-clear shallow bays have long been a staple for Scotland postcards the years, plus the picture-perfect vistas looking out towards the Small Isles in the distance are unequivocally astounding.
Peruse the shops and wander through town
While Fort William is a great headquarters for adventuring around the Highlands, don’t forget to take a stroll through the town and peruse the assortment of shops on offer.
A great way to spend a chilled afternoon, perhaps you’d like to purchase some new outdoor gear or track down the perfect souvenir for someone special back home? Or (if you’re a bookworm like me), why not visit the local bookstore and really let your imagination run wild.
With such variety, I’m sure there’s something that’ll tickle your fancy!
Where to eat in Fort William?
Don’t let the small size of Fort William fool you – the town centre is jam packed with great places to eat.
It’s a good job mind you, since all the outdoor activities you’ll be getting stuck into is hungry work!
Depending on what kind of dining experience you’re after, we’ve condensed our picks down to the 3 most most memorable eateries during our stay.
Snazzy meal – Crannog Seafood Restaurant
Located on the pier of Fort William, looking over Loch Linnhe, Crannog Seafood Restaurant serves top-quality, no nonsense fresh Scottish seafood. One of the more expensive eateries in town, the scrumptious food and fabulous views make it the perfect choice for a meaningful & romantic meal during your stay.
Pub grub – Ben Nevis Bar
Hearty pub food and an extensive selection of ales – the Ben Nevis Bar is a great spot to refuel after a long day out and about. 100% would recommend the fish and chips or Venison burger.
Light bite – The Wild Cat
A hip and quirky café offering a tantalising assortment of locally supplied cakes, bakery goods and light bites. The perfect spot to grab a treat and take a brief respite from your busy holiday itinerary!
Road to the Isle of Skye?
If you’ve enough time during your trip in the Scottish Highlands, it’s also certainly worth venturing on the Road to the Isles.
Starting from Fort William and driving along the stunning roads towards Mallaig, why not hop on a ferry to the Isle of Skye? You won’t regret it.
How many days do you need in Fort William?
We spent 3 nights/4 days in the town of Fort William during our last stay before sailing over to the Isle of Skye. This gave plenty of time to partake in a bunch of the area’s main activities and by the end of our visit we were feeling wholly content and ready to move on.
For more posts to do with Scotland, be sure to trawl through a list of our trips here.
Happy walking 🚶🚶