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Fort William & Lochaber Area Guide

Fort William and Lochaber is a great holiday outdoor activity destination in the west of Scotland. Visit our guide to Fort William B&B, guesthouse, hotel and self catering accommodation. Outdoors sports adventure and of course walking and climbing Ben Nevis

Fort William and Lochaber is a huge rural area in the west Highlands of Scotland with the principal town Fort William lying on the shore of Loch Linnhe below Ben Nevis.

The area features the most westerly point in Britain - Ardnamurchan Point; the second deepest loch - Loch Morar; the highest mountain and the most infamous Highland glen - historic Glencoe with its amazing scenery. Perhaps the most famous glen in Scotland - Glenfinnan - where the Clan Cameron gathered there to meet Bonnie Prince Charlie from France, to lead the historic Jacobite Army. We have the only mountain gondola in Scotland with two superb downhill bike tracks and a full range of summer and winter sports. If that’s not a lot we have the Caledonian Canal, a superb inland waterway joining the Atlantic to the North Sea; the Great Glen and world famous Road to the Isles, with its hugely popular Iron Horse Jacobite train journey. Oh, there’s also a very long maritime coastline perfect for fishing or kayaking - not to mention some of the largest areas of fresh water lochs in Scotland.

Getting here is relatively straight forward, although the journey can seem long. Scottish airports at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness have international and domestic flights landing visitors directly into Scotland where excellent train and bus services will bring you to the Highlands in comfort. There are several local taxi firms who will gladly pick you up from any UK airport pick-up point and give you a guided tour on the way back here! Once you arrive in Fort William there are local car rental businesses who provide an excellent service. You can rent a mountain bike or cycle locally too and so there’s no reason not to stay and explore longer. We often suggest to folk not just to pass through - there is so much to see and experience.

Lochaber’s history has been a long one with many events over the centuries shaping the politics of the United Kingdom - the Celts, the Vikings, the English, the French and Spanish and latterly the British and of course the Highland Jacobites have all shaped who we are today. The site of old Inverlochy Castle in Fort William goes way back in time when there was a fortified building there 800 years ago; and when in 1645 three thousand men engaged in a ferocious battle one cold February day that is said to have left the river red with blood.  Today Fort William, Glencoe, the Great Glen, Ardnamurchan attract people for outdoor activities, its history and of course Ben Nevis and the Jacobite Steam Train.

Almost 10,000 people live and work in and around the town of Fort William, which includes several small villages and communities nearby. The Lochaber area which includes the places mentioned has a population of around 20,000. Many people work to provide tourism services by providing a huge range of holiday accommodation which includes traditional cottages, self catering lodges and homes, guesthouses, some large and small hotels, camping parks  and hostels.

Our Fort William Eating Out Guide will help you locate some really good restaurants, pubs and cafes, including traditional Fish ’n Chip shops. We have some very high quality places to dine set amongst mountains, glens or lochsides and the town centre has a good choice of family restaurants including seafood specialists. 

Through the year, but mostly during the Spring and Summer months, there are lots of events and activities to think about visiting and enjoying the fun and thrills of downhill biking, Highland games, music and art festivals and exhibitions and live entertainment with local musicians. 

Local services include lots of food producers who supply the highest quality seafood and game from the land and seas. Some specialise in smoked produce and other produce bakery specialities. Forestry and timber processing, fish farming, aluminium smelting are our main industries, and these are supported by many local trades and retail outlets. The people of Lochaber are looked after by a very impressive NHS Highland health service, together with the Fire Service and Police Scotland.

View the Ben Nevis webcam

Click to view the latest images from Ben Nevis

Enjoy these videos

Fort William 365 - visit Glen Nevis
Glen Nevis is the most beautiful glen in the Highlands
Something to do on a wet day
Three Wise Monkeys climbing wall is 5 minutes from our High Street
Fort William 365 - Whisky Tasting
A visit to Fort William's longest established business - Ben Nevis Distillery.

Explore these featured listings

The Lime Tree Hotel
The Lime Tree in Fort William is a Small Hotel, Restaurant and high quality Art Gallery offering you unique accommodation in a convenient location in the Highlands of Scotland. Whether you choose to relax at The Lime Tree, enjoy the spectacular mountains and landscape, bag a Munro, tackle world championship mountain bike track at Nevis Range, take the Jacobite steam train on the road to the Isles, or choose to immerse yourself in the Art culture or events at the Lime Tree, this family owned hotel in Fort William will provide the idea base to explore all Lochaber has to offer. Your Scottish Highland holiday in the Outdoor Capital of the UK will always be memorable . This stylish  hotel in Fort William offers fantastic views of Loch Linnhe and the hills beyond, 9 stylish double, twin and family bedrooms, a contemporary restaurant, a fantastic Art Galley hosting National shows, comfy lounges with open fires, map room, bike storage and Wireless broadband. OUR CHEF The Head Chef at the Lime Tree restaurant is Andrew Cook. Having previously worked at the Lime Tree, he then worked a stint at luxury country hotel Kilcamb Lodge in Strontian, before returning to the Lime Tree to take up the role of head chef. The menu focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients made into something special by the skilled team of chefs. Where possible, everything is made in house including breads, preserves, ice creams, and sausages and black pudding at breakfast.   The restaurant is multi award winning - Relish Good Food Guide 'Top Twenty Small Scottish Restaurants', Visit Scotland 'Taste of the Best' award, Michelin and Good Food Guide listed.  REVIEWS 'Rapidly earning a great reputation as destination eating in Fort William. great interiors with contemporary menu, this Restaurant successfully combines with its art gallery and accommodations' Wendy Barrie, The Scottish Good Food Guide 
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Nevis Croft Self Catering Cottages
Self catering accommodation situated at Nevis Bridge, Glen Nevis, Fort William.  Nevis Croft Cottages are situated near Nevis Bridge - just half a mile from Fort William town centre and at the entrance to the stunning Glen Nevis and at the original end of the West Highland Way. Our cottages are finished to a high standard and are fully equipped for a comfortable stay. We have two cottages which each sleep four (1 double and 1 twin in each), and one cottage which sleeps up to seven (2 double, 1 twin and a single). Nevis Croft is perfectly situated for your winter break - skiing, climbing and walking all within easy reach. Nevis Croft is also ideally located for exploring the Highlands and West Coast. Day trips to Oban, Glencoe, Inverness, Aviemore, Loch Ness, Mull  and even Skye are possible. The cottages have full oil central heating and both the heating and electricity are included in the weekly rental as are all linen and towels. The cottages also have free wifi. Bookings are generally Saturday-Saturday, but other short breaks (minimum stay 2 nights) are often available, especially in winter. Please enquire. The best of furnishings and fittings - including large TV, Freeview and DVD players, modern kitchen appliances, tasteful shower rooms all add to the very comfortable ambiance of these cottages. There is ample off-road parking available at the cottages. Travel cots and high chairs available on request. The cottages are non-smoking and we regret that pets are not permitted. On parle francais - wir sprechen Deutsch Tariff 2 Bedroom Cottages from £350 - £750 4 Bedroom Cottage from £495 - £995 Bars and restaurants are within walking distance as is beautiful Glen Nevis, where you could easily spend two whole days exploring this wonderful Glen. The whole area of Lochaber provides a playground for walking, climbing, skiing, kayaking and cycling with dozens of other sports to try in what is now known as The Outdoor Capital of the UK.
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