Fort William is the principal town in the West Highlands. It takes its name from a fort
founded here in 1690 and named after William, Prince of Orange.
As a busy centre it offers a wide range of shops and services, including major
supermarkets and businesses selling outdoor and activity wear, books, tartans, tweeds,
woollens and crafts, mostly along its pleasant and pedestrianised main street. Its location
as a meeting-place for West Highland Way
and Great Glen Way also means it has a
range of pubs, places to eat and Scottish entertainment. The West Highland Museum in the
town's main square takes up the theme of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites, with many
relics from those times.
On the edge of town, to the north, The Ben Nevis Distillery and Visitor Centre
marks the entrance to Glen Nevis. Only minutes down the glen is the Glen Nevis Visitor
Centre (Ionad Nibheis), a countryside and local heritage interpretation centre (useful for
weather reports and advice if visitors are planning a Ben Nevis expedition). Glen Nevis itself, with the flanks of Ben Nevis rising on one side also offers superb Highland
scenery and a choice of walking routes. At Banavie look out for Neptunes Staircase, and visit the
award winning Lochy Bar for great
meals
Only a minute or two further out, on the A830 "The Road to the Isles", the Caledonian Canal drops down to Loch Linnhe at a spectacular series of locks, "Neptunes Staircase", where there
is always some canal activity to enjoy. Chase The Wild Goose Hostel is a great place to
stay. Nearby, Treasures of the Earth at Corpach is an attraction displaying fine collections of
gemstones and crystals.
Signs on the main A82 north of the town point to Nevis Range, the all year attraction on the
slopes of Aonach Mor. As well as Scotland's highest ski area, Nevis Range features Britain's only
mountain gondola to 2150ft (60m). Making good use here of the long open slopes of the mountain, Nevis
Range also has Britain's longest downhill mountain bike track, which has played host to international
events. Other activities such as watersports, angling, golf, riding and trekking are also available,
and there is a dive training centre in the town itself.
In summary, Fort William is a town with plenty for visitors and makes a good base for
exploring the spectacular West Highland scenery.
Stay at Chase the Wild Goose Hostel at Banavie near Fort William Scotland for comfortable, friendly backpackers
accommodation
