Lochaber and Fort William: The Complete Guide

BenNevis
Public Domain / Thincat

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.

Visiting Lochaber and Fort William for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Lochaber and Fort William on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

This website uses affiliate links which earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Best Day Trips from Lochaber and Fort William

A day trip from Lochaber and Fort William offers the perfect opportunity to escape the urban rhythm and discover the surrounding region's charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic countryside, historic villages, or cultural landmarks, the area around Lochaber and Fort William provides a variety of easy-to-reach destinations ideal for a one-day itinerary.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Glenfinnan Viaduct
CC BY-SA 2.5 / Benutzer:Nicolas17
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct, with  21-arche,s on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Inverness-shire, Scotland, built from 1897 to 1901.  It is the largest railway bridge in all of Scotland. The world famous ‘Jacobite Express’ train is quite possibly the most beautiful and scenic train journey anywhere. Although now synonymous with “The Harry Potter Bridge” the viaduct…
| Hours: Glenfinnan Visitor Centre and Monument View Carpark2 Jan–3 Apr, daily, 10.00–16.00 Current period4 Apr–4 Nov, daily, 10.00–17.00 5 Nov–23 Dec, daily, 10.00–16.00 24–26 Dec, closed 27 Dec–30 Dec, daily, 10.00–16.00 31 Dec–1 Jan 2023, closed | Price: Monument: Adult £5, Chile £3, Car Park: £3.5 Views of Viaduct: Free! | Website | Distance: 20.9km
Visiting Glenfinnan Viaduct

Here are all your hotel options in Lochaber and Fort William.

Glenfinnan Monument

Glenfinnan Monument
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Antony McCallum
By 1815, the Jacobite cause was no longer a political threat to the Hanoverian monarchy. Alexander Macdonald of Glenaladale, a minor branch of the Clan Donald, built a memorial tower at Glenfinnan to commemorate the raising of the standard of the Young Pretender. The tower, which is 18 metres in height, was designed by the Scottish architect James Gillespie Graham.…
| Hours: Glenfinnan Visitor Centre and Monument View Carpark2 Jan–3 Apr, daily, 10.00–16.00 Current period4 Apr–4 Nov, daily, 10.00–17.00 5 Nov–23 Dec, daily, 10.00–16.00 24–26 Dec, closed 27 Dec–30 Dec, daily, 10.00–16.00 31 Dec–1 Jan 2023, closed | Price: Monument: Adult £5, Chile £3, Car Park: £3.5 Views of Viaduct: Free! | Website | Distance: 20.9km
Visiting Glenfinnan Monument

Isle of Mull

Tobermory Waterfront
CC BY-SA 4.0 / DeFacto
The Isle of Mull or just Mull is the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye) and lies off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute. Covering 875 square kilometres (338 sq mi), Mull is the fourth-largest island in both Scotland and the United Kingdom. Much of the year-round population lives in the…
Visiting Isle of Mull
Powered by GetYourGuide

Isle of Skye

Old Man Of Storr On The Isle Of Skye
Visiting the Isle of Skye is a journey into the heart of Scotland's breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. From its rugged coastline to its mist-shrouded mountains, Skye captivates visitors with its dramatic landscapes and ancient history. The largest of the Inner Hebrides, it's home to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous…
Visiting Isle of Skye

Inverness

Inverness Pano
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Avarim
Inverness meaning "Mouth of the River Ness" is a city in the Scottish Highlands. Inverness attracts visitors from across the world for its natural landscapes, quaint towns, medieval ruins, and prehistoric sites. Located in the Scottish Highlands, it’s a great place for nature lovers looking to explore its vast landscape. There are many hiking and cycling trails of various lengths…
Visiting Inverness
Powered by GetYourGuide

Dornoch

Dornoch Beach
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Neil Aitkenhead
Dornoch is a town, seaside resort, parish and former royal burgh in the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies on the north shore of the Dornoch Firth, near to where it opens into the Moray Firth to the east. The name 'Dornoch' is derived from the Gaelic for 'pebbly place', suggesting that the area contained pebbles…
Visiting Dornoch

Where to Stay in Lochaber and Fort William

Staying in Fort William offers the best access to Ben Nevis, the Great Glen Way, and surrounding outdoor adventures. For a more secluded experience, accommodations along the lochs or in nearby villages provide peaceful retreats with stunning scenery.

A 3 to 4-day stay is ideal for climbing Ben Nevis, taking the Jacobite Steam Train, and exploring Glencoe. A 5-day stay allows for visits to the Isle of Skye, the Road to the Isles, and deeper Highland exploration.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Lochaber and Fort William. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Lochaber and Fort William Accommodation Map

Similar Blogs