Top Things to do in Fort William
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What to do and see in Fort William, Scotland: The Best Free Things to do
Known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK, Fort William is at the heart of a wide range of exciting activity centres. Visitors enjoy easy access to exhilarating hillwalking, mountain climbing, snow sports and water sports — as well as the gentler pleasures of a refreshing day spent fishing, walking in the country or cycling. Capture the spirit of the Scottish Highlands by taking in its stunning landscapes, tasting the area’s authentic whiskies and ales, and exploring its fascinating museums.
Restaurants in Fort William
1. Road to the Isles
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
A 50-mile trail through the rugged Scottish landscape.
Reviewed By jpseddie - Poole, United Kingdom
We did the "Road to the Isles Road Trip" from Fort William all the way and enjoyed it very much. fantastic scenery with mountains rivers and waterfalls all around. Half way point make sure you stop at the Glenfinnan monument and viaduct . For Harry Potter fans the viaduct is the scene from the second movie where the Hogwarts Express caught up with the flying Ford Anglia!. The Glenfinnan Monument has a visitor centre and lots of history surrounding Bonnie Prince Charlie and the views are simply amazing especially from the top looking down on the monument. We finally arrived at Mallaig just as the Jacobite Steam Train ( Hogwarts Express) was leaving ! :o)
2. Steall Waterfall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,434 reviews
Reviewed By I4996RBjoannap - Brough, United Kingdom
Drive down a single track road until it comes to an end which is a small free car park so arrive early; there was another car park at beginningof road however it charged for parking and would be quite a walk to get there. We arrived at 9am and had no issues with parking. A great walk along the river with mini waterfalls coming over the path which then opens up to see Steall Waterfall. There is a wire bridge to get closer to see it however there is a great view without crossing. We were lucky enough not to have midges even though it was warm and dry.
3. Lochaber Geopark Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
Lochaber Geopark encompasses an area of 4,468Km2, including the Small Isles, Ardnamurchan, Ben Nevis and Glencoe. Discover the incredible geological heritage of the area in our Visitor Centre on Fort William's High Street and whatever your adventure, look out for our interpretation panels throughout Lochaber. We provide Geotours which help you discover the history of Lochaber's Landscape. For more information on these, and booking, please visit our website or come into our visitor centre. You can book them here: https://lochabergeopark.org.uk/product-category/geotours/
Reviewed By Babylon999 - Castelnau-le-Lez, France
Welcoming, bright, an extremely professional presentation of local geology, with something for all levels, from the volcanic sandpit right up to advanced geology with the shop owner. A truly wonderful find. I hope to go back one day and do their trip to Ardnamurchan. Full marks, Lochaber Geopark!
4. The Highland Bookshop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By amacdonald884 - Spean Bridge, United Kingdom
excellent place to browse in and look for new and informative books helped a lot by the lovely staff resulting in getting the literature I wanted
5. West Highland Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,078 reviews
We are a museum set in Cameron Square which is just off of the centre of Fort William High Street. We have eight rooms packed with fascinating objects, from treasure from a shipwrecked Spanish Armada galleon to the bagpipes played at Bannockburn in 1314. Whether its archaeology, natural history, Commando training and weaponry, Highland crofting life, costumes and charms, Victorian times, silver, coins and medals, or even the history of mountain rescue, it can all be found at the West Highland Museum.
Reviewed By olaoko - Gdynia, Poland
Fascinating history in small place. Brilliant, very helpful and friendly staf. Exhibition about green beret was the most interesting. This is an independent museum with free admission so please think about donation to rescue this unique little treasure.
6. Ben Nevis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,460 reviews
Fondly called "Ben" by the locals, Britain's highest mountain towers 4,406 feet above the town of Fort William.
Reviewed By Scotlandmac - Glasgow, United Kingdom
5 stars for the brilliant path, nice and wide,which takes even the least experienced of walkers safely to the top. Best path I've ever used on any Scottish mountain and we climb these regularly.Also, as Scotland is my home, I cannot bring myself to demote Ben Nevis to less than 5 stars.It has my respect.Unfortunately most people on this route never see its true grandeur , it's North Face, where it's then obvious that this is the remains of an ancient volcano once twice as high.Climbing Carn Mor Dearg or the Aonachs nearby, give the best views of The Ben's real grandeur. It's certainly not a wilderness experience as such, this route - in August there must have been 3,000 other people plodding up the mountain! Good views , not fabulous but nice, until we got part way up and entered the mist. It's a strenuous walk though - anything is that is 1345m high and with a sea level start.But it wasn't anywhere near as hard as we thought it might be.Just LONG. We are in our 60s and it took us 3hr 10 min to the top, including a 10 min break beyond the Red Burn.But we are regular hillwalkers and reasonably fit. The climb can divided into 4 sections IMO.I found this helped pace out the day/progress.Our time is given for each stage but it is approximate.Younger people who are fit passed us. 1st Stage: Visitor Car Park to The Corner - 45 mins. The path climbs steadily above Glen Nevis, then over a bridge where it turns sharply left.I call this The Corner as the climb is now more open with the open hillside and the burn to your right and below. We were now 390m above the glen. 2nd Stage: The Corner to the Red Burn crossing. 40mins. This section passes the lovely Lochan which is NOT the halfway stage despite its name in some publications.Nice flat section for a short bit. The lochan is only at around 560m and the mountain summit is 1345m. 3rd Stage: The Red Burn to the End of the Zig Zags: 1hr 15mins including a 10 min stop. Now the path turned much more rough and bouldery in places but still excellent.This upper part of the mountain is a boulderfield and turns quarry like nearer the top.The zig zags go up at a very pleasant angle of ascent, though still feel VERY long.At the end of this section , we were now at 1190m - less than 200m to go with the back of the climb broken. Final Stage: End of zig zags to Summit Cairn:30 mins. This bit seemed to go on forever too mainly because we were now in thick cloud/mizzly rain and couldn't see that far ahead.I thought this was a flattish bit but the path is still climbing. The appearance of large marker cairns on the right confirm the end is in sight.They are set well away from the various gullies on the left which the path is fairly close to.These have been the scene of fatalities in the past, in whiteout conditions, with the path under snow or not clear due to very poor visibility. We then had a 10 min wait in a queue to climb the summit cairn for a photo! Crazy! We only had views from the zig zags downwards.But it was still well worth the climb. The crowds are nuts - I've never seen anything like it on any other Scottish mountain(which often have much better, more dramatic views too.) A lot of people couldn't stay long at the top because they had barely more than t-shirt and shorts on.Their clothes looked sweaty and very damp from the effort and mist.You cool down mega quickly at that height and in those conditions and in damp clothes. It's a LONG strenuous hike made much easier by the great path but if someone is not very fit - well, I saw some young women crying on the 1st stage of the path. We arrived at the visitor centre car park before 9am on a Sunday in August and could hardly get parked.It costs £6 to park - machines were not working so paid in the Visitor Centre.Toilets were (unhelpfully) closed when we returned at 4.45pm. No toilet facilities on the hill as you would expect and it's not easy to find a place to go without other people being around. The summit is swarming with people and it would be difficult to find a spot even in the various ruined buildings as people are EVERYWHERE. Fantastic sense of achievement once we were down (it felt VERY long coming down - it took us slightly longer to do so as the path was very busy with lots of people still going up and also us catching up with people going down and having to wait or give way.) Everyone was very polite on the hill and were - mostly - smiling and seemed happy. Always great to climb the highest mountain of any country you visit, if safe to do so that is for the 'ordinary walker' and to be honest, even on the kind of low mist day we had too.
7. Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By FionaM793 - Huntly, United Kingdom
Such a beautiful location, with amazing views beside Loch Laggan. There are short or longer walks, for people with different abilities. Well maintained, and worth a visit for the views, even if you don't want to walk too far.
8. Neptune's Staircase
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,290 reviews
Reviewed By Molewife - County Durham, United Kingdom
Went for lunch at the Moorings Hotel which has been there for many years. Spacious free car park. Lovely walk along canal banks. Saw large yacht coming through one of the 8 locks. Stunning views of Ben Nevis (it was a clear, sunny day). Plenty of picnic spots. Lucky enough to see swing bridge over road open to let the yacht through on way to Loch Linnhe.
9. The Granite House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By 941shonam
Beautiful sterling silver earrings for ten pounds. Really pleased with my purchase. Staff were very helpful .
10. Saint Andrew's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By patron2929 - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
Situated on the main street of Fort William this delightful little church set in a lovely garden is well worth fifteen minutes of your time. The inside just makes you feel welcome into the house of God with its warmth and such lovely alter and beautiful stone work of the surrounding walls.
