Lochaber, a former Highland local government district, is a large and scenic area of the Scottish West Highlands. The popular town of Fort William on the north side of Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis mountain range are the most important tourist destinations. The area of Lochaber includes Fort Augustus in the north, the Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Arisaig and Morar and Knoydart peninsula’s in the west, the impressive Nevis range in the centre and Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor in the east.

Fort William

Fort William is a major tourist centre sitting on the banks of Loch Linnhe and on an important crossing between the A82, running from Glasgow to Inverness, and the A830 heading west, also known as “The Road to the Isles“.

Fort William is an important centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis and many other Munro mountains, marketing itself as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK”. It is also well known for its nearby famous Downhill Mountain Bike Track and its connection to the West Highland Way from Glasgow and the Great Glen Way; a walk/cycle way from Inverness to Fort William through the Great Glen. Popular as it may seem, for many visitors Fort William is not their thing. The town is busy and offers endless bed and breakfasts along the main road, but lacks somewhat of the charm of other, smaller, Highland towns and villages.