My Favourite Things to do in Fort William
After many short stops over the years, I spent two nights in Fort William in the snowy throws of winter to prove that the town has something to offer all year round. This blog was written as part of a paid campaign with Fort William 365
Fort William is one of the best-known destinations in the Scottish Highlands, famed as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’, the home of Ben Nevis, and featured in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander stories.
I have passed through Fort William countless times over the years, both as a tour guide back in the day, and on my travel blogging adventures. While the town centre, from centre angles, is not the most strikingly bonnie sight to behold, it has improved massively in recent years and I have now developed a real fondness for Fort William.
It is important to take some time, like I did, to scratch below the surface and properly explore, both the town centre and the immediate surrounds. I was pleasantly surprised by the new developments, fantastic local businesses, and always, the ever-impressive scenery right on the doorstep; you’ll rarely be without a loch or mountain vista.
Fort William is a year-round destination: a place where you’ll find things to see, do, eat and experience 365 days a year, whatever the weather. Here are my top 10 things to do in Fort William.
How to get to Fort William
Fort William is an excellent base for a Highland road-trip, sitting on the Great Glen, at the gateway to Road to the Isles, and in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Here are some driving times to help you get your bearings.
- Edinburgh – 4 hours
- Glasgow – 3 hours 20 minutes
- Inverness – 1 hour 40 minutes
- Oban – 1 hour 10 minutes
- Glencoe – 30 minutes
- Glenfinnan Viaduct – 25 minutes
For a car-less wanderer like me, Fort William is a breeze to get to thanks to its excellent public transport connections and position on the West Highland Line. Hello direct train from Glasgow!
Voted as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world, the West Highland Line continues north from Fort William all the way to Mallaig which means you can easily extended your adventure to include Road to the Isles. You can even travel there on the same steam train as Harry Potter and his wee pals!
From Fort William Bus Station, there are direct bus links to and from Oban, Inverness, Glencoe and the Isle of Skye. Where will your adventure take you?
1) Ride the Nevis Range Gondola
The Nevis Range is home to the UK’s only mountain gondola, travelling 650 meters up the north face of Aonach Mòr. Originally built to transport skiers and snowboarders to the slopes, it is now a year-round attraction which is just as popular with those looking for a head start on a hike or simply to the opportunity to soak up the views from the café at the top.
I mean, it would be rude to decline the offer of such an easy and enjoyable ride to reach great Highland heights! My visit was just after some fresh snowfall in February, so there were already crowds gathered before the opening time, eager to hit the slopes. I was there purely for the novelty of the gondola ride and for a wee walk at the top.
I arrived into a winter wonderland and left deep footprints in the snow on the short climb up to the Sgurr Finnisg-aig viewpoint. Afterwards, I enjoyed a hot chocolate with heart-tugging views before the ride back down to reality.
- A 1 day gondola pass is £23.50 per adult and £13 per child (advanced booking recommended)
- Check the opening times, weather report, and book tickets here.
2) Climb Ben Nevis
At 4,413ft (1,345 metres), Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK, and it is estimated that 150,000 flock to Fort William each year to bag this famous ben. It is a popular and accessible walk, but all necessary precautions and preparations should be taken to embark on the hike: suitable clothing and footwear is absolutely essential. Check out these top tips.
Less experienced or solo hikers may wish to book a private or group guided hike with a company like Kirkhope Mountaineering.
I climbed Ben Nevis in 2016 to raise money for charity and spent months training on long distance walks and hill walks to build up my fitness. The walk was long and challenging but I enjoyed it. At the end, you can toast your achievement with a celebratory drink and bite to eat at Ben Nevis Inn.
3) Visit West Highland Museum
Discover a wee gem of a museum, right in the town centre. Run by friendly volunteers, West Highland Museum is free to enter but donations are very welcome. The various displays tell the story of the Fort William area and its rich history; the elite World War II Commandos who trained nearby, the natural world, and most notably The Jacobites and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Look out for the Fairy Pipes of Moidart – said to be the oldest bagpipes in the world – and the handwriting of Ernie Brooks in his notepad; he was a Commando in training when he used it. I was also really impressed to find Bonnie Prince Charlie’s waistcoat, death mask, hair, and even a tooth!
4) Ride the Jacobite Steam Train
Tour buses and crowds of Harry Potter loving visitors flock to the area every year for a journey on the ‘Hogwarts Express’. The Jacobite Steam Train, which featured in the Harry Potter films, travels from Fort William to Mallaig and back in 84 super-scenic miles through rugged Highland terrain and dreamy coastline.
One of the highlights of the journey is crossing the iconic, multi-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct which Harry Potter fans will immediately recognise from the flying car scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The train operates twice a day, 7 days a week, from April to October. Booking well in advance is essential.
- In 2022, a standard return was £50 per adult and £30 per child. First Class is also available.
- For information or to book, click here
5) Catch a film or chill at Highland Cinema
Ideal for wet weather or some evening entertainment, the independent Highland Cinema is one of Fort William’s most exciting new additions. The charming building has brightened up the town centre and Cameron Square, and the Café Bar is reason alone to visit, even if you’re planning on catching a film.
The Café Bar has a great atmosphere with high ceilings, a wood-burning stove and black & white films projected onto the wall. Open until 10.00pm, they serve wood-fired pizzas, nachos and lots of other tasty bites, along with hot drinks or something strong. I loved sitting close to the fire with a hot chocolate watching the rain outside.
6) Treat yourself at Rain Bakery
Given my new-found love of pastries, this has to be my favourite new addition to Fort William. Rain Bakery is not to be missed! Everything looks like a work of art, from the hot brunches and lunches in the cafe, to the perfectly-formed pastries, cakes and freshly baked breads. You can even enjoy an ice-cream filled croissant on a sunny day!
I can also personally vouch for their outstanding homemade sourdough sandwiches – perfect for a picnic or for the train. The pork salami, manchego, romesco and jalapeño was delicious, followed by an apple streusel pastry.
7) Roam the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle
Not to be confused with the luxury Inverlochy Castle Hotel nearby, this 13th century stronghold is remarkably well intact – particularly given all the wild Scottish weather it has endured! Inverlochy Castle was built by the powerful Comyn family in 1280, and if you allow your imagination to fill in the gaps, you can still picture it in its former glory, complete with a moat on three sides.
8) Go shopping at Highland Soap Company
Just across the car park from the ancient castle is an another fantastic modern addition to Fort William, the Highland Soap Company Visitor Centre, where all your scented souvenir dreams come true. Highland Soap Company is now a well-known, family-run Scottish brand, often found in the bathrooms of nice restaurants and accommodations around the country.
The visitor centre, which boasts amazing views of Ben Nevis, is packed with beautiful products and gifts, plus a toiletry re-fill station and a huge sink where you wash your hands and sample the different scented hand soaps. They also offer soap making workshops and there is an on-site café which focuses on fresh, local produce.
9) Walk the Caledonian Canal
The Caledonian Canal was designed by renowned Scottish engineer Thomas Telford and completed in 1822, primarily to provide safe passage for ships travelling from coast to coast. The 60-mile canal runs through the four lochs of the Great Glen – Loch Linnhe, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness – starting from Corpach, just outside Fort William, and finishing in Inverness.
Starting from Inverlochy Castle, follow the signposted route through residential streets to reach Corpach. Here, on the shores of Loch Linnhe, you’ll find Corpach shipwreck; built in 1975 as a shipping vessel, it was forced ashore after breaking away from Kinlochleven Pier during a storm in 2011. An atmospheric sight, with a backdrop of Ben Nevis on a clear day, it’s no surprise it’s such a popular photo stop.
From Corpach, wander along the Caledonian Canal to the impressive Neptune’s Staircase, the longest staircase lock in the UK, which raises the canal by 62ft (19 metres), taking boats 90 minutes to travel up or down. Grab a cuppa and something to eat in the Canalside Café Bistro at The Moorings Hotel before returning to Fort William by bus from Banavie.
10) Go for dinner at The Geographer
Indulge in an internationally inspired menu of street food and comfort food classics with a
twist, crafted with love and local produce and served in a cosy interior, filled with travel-themed trinkets and decorations. The Geographer is my kinda place!
Visiting on a cold, dark winters’ night, the hearty bowl of Highland venison stew was an obvious choice, accompanied with black pudding, juniper and sweet potato. I’ll definitely be back to work my way through the menu. From April to October, the restaurant doesn’t take reservations so you’d be wise to get there early. There is a chance you’ll need to wait for a table but it’s worth it.
Where to Stay in Fort William
Due to the Fort William’s popularity, accommodation comes at a premium price during peak season. For the best options make sure you book well in advance or consider travelling in the quieter months.
You can search for a range of accommodation in Fort William, and book directly with the owners, via SeeFortWilliam and VisitFortWilliam. On my most visit visit, I stayed at Huntingtower Lodge.
Huntingtower Lodge B&B
Staying with local hosts always guarantees a more personable experience and this is especially true at the homely, eco-friendly Huntingtower Lodge, thanks to the outstanding hospitality provided by Peter and Tina.
Expect a generous cooked-to-order breakfast, lifts to/from the town centre (2 miles on foot), Highland Soap Company toiletries, laminated OS maps with points of interest for guests to plan their days out, a fridge plus tea/coffee in the room, binoculars, books, games, DVDs and a wood-burning stove in the communal lounge area.
Peter was in the Royal Navy for 27 years, and trained as a mountain guide, so can provide expert insights into local walking and climbing: he also prints off the mountain weather report for each day. An excellent experience is guaranteed here.
To search more local accommodation options, click here
Thanks for reading my top things to do in Fort William!
I hope this has given you some inspiration for things to do in Fort William. I offer Travel Consultations if you need some help planning your trip. Here are some other blogs I think you’ll like.
Ardnamurchan & The West Highland Peninsulas
Road to the Isles: Destination Guide
Isle of Mull: Ultimate Destination Guide & Travel Inspiration
Glamping in Glencoe: the pod, the food, and the scenery
This post is sponsored by See Fort William. As always, all content, opinions & chaotic behaviour are my own.
Happy travels!
Kay 💙
