Fort William has clear connections to long-distance walking, geology and history. The West Highland Way ends here, while the Great Glen Way runs from Fort William to Inverness. The West Highland Museum and the Lochaber Geopark Visitor Centre are on the High Street; other historic sites lie nearby. The locations mentioned range from central cultural attractions to places in Banavie and on the edge of town.
Long-distance walking routes with different endpoints
The West Highland Way runs for 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William; its endpoint is marked by a statue depicting a West Highland Way walker at Gordon Square in the town centre. The Great Glen Way stretches for 118 km (79 miles) from Fort William to Inverness. Fort William therefore plays different roles on the two long-distance walking routes: it is the destination of one and the starting point of the other. Their endpoints and stated lengths provide a clear initial comparison if long-distance walking is a key part of your stay.
Museum and geology on the High Street
The West Highland Museum is on Cameron Square, in the centre of Fort William’s High Street. It offers general or individually tailored tours led by volunteer museum guides. Tours can focus on the Jacobites, life in the Scottish Highlands or the Second World War; some groups need to book in advance. The Lochaber Geopark Visitor Centre is also on the High Street. It displays rock and mineral samples and provides information about the landscape and geology of Lochaber. The Lochaber Geopark’s Rock Routes offer another way to explore the geology: they connect 20 viewpoints featuring information panels about the geological history of the surrounding landscape.
Locks, castle and distillery
Nearby, in the village of Banavie, is Neptune’s Staircase, four miles north of Fort William. This structure on the Caledonian Canal consists of eight locks. Also nearby is Inverlochy Castle, a medieval fortress that commanded the southern end of the Great Glen. It was built by the “Red” Comyns, Lords of Badenoch and Lochaber. The two sites are distinctly different: Neptune’s Staircase is a series of canal locks, while Inverlochy Castle is a fortress with links to the history of the Great Glen. Ben Nevis Distillery is on the A82 on the edge of Fort William and was founded in 1825.
Locations to consider when choosing a hotel
Fort William is an important stopping point for travellers by road, rail and sea. The locations mentioned range from the High Street and town centre to the edge of town and nearby areas.
Discover more destinations: Foyers, Struan, Kinlochleven, Beauly, Plockton, Onich, Ardersier, Croy
For the wider travel overview: Highland.
