Home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK, Fort William is nestled within the majestic Scottish Highlands. The city is surrounded by natural wonders, flanked by Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain.
Towering over Fort William at 1,342 metres high, Ben Nevis is impossible to ignore as you stroll around the city. It takes around 7–8 hours to reach the summit, so make sure you’re well prepared if you’re going to ‘tackle the Ben’. Climbing mountains is a popular Scottish pastime referred to as ‘Munro-bagging’, but if Ben Nevis is too tall an order, there are plenty of other hills and glens to conquer. In winter, the nearby Nevis Range offers skiing and snowboarding, while summer offers up plenty of downhill mountain bike courses. For a more tranquil way to explore the scenery, take a cruise along Loch Linnhe or ride the famous Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig.
Although Fort William is mainly a base for exploring the surrounding highland scenery, the city centre still has a few spots worth discovering. The High Street stores sell products that make for great souvenirs, including Scotch whisky and tartan clothing. At the base of Ben Nevis is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland – the Ben Nevis Distillery. Sign up for a tour to observe the whisky production areas and enjoy a complimentary tasting.
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| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | GBP |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | £137 per night |
| Average weekday price | £144 per night |
| Typical stay | 1 night |
Ben Nevis
4.3 miles from city centre
Its a busy town with plenty of good eating and drinking...
7 June 2024
Its a busy town with plenty of good eating and drinking options and a variety of accommodation options. Ideal as a base for climbing Ben Nevis, but remember all the other options here - not just all the mountains, but lakes and places to visit.
The scenery is spectacular.
7 June 2024
The scenery is spectacular. You are surrounded by the Cairngorm mountains, including Ben Nevis and there are lots of lochs in the area too. Lots of outdoor activities are available. The town is small and a little rundown, however there is some beautiful architecture and interesting bits to see. We went to the West Highland Museum very interesting and informative, staff were very friendly and welcoming. We visited the Ben Nevis Inn for dinner, definitely worth a visit, right at the foot of the mountain. Atmosphere and food were great. They also had live music. Might need to book.
The staff were all very helpful and friendly and the...
20 May 2024
The staff were all very helpful and friendly and the breakfast choice was amazing. The location was perfect for us as it was the easy to get to the start of the Ben Nevis walk. We will certainly return to stay in the Distillery.
Pre-booked The Jacobite Steam Train for our return trip from...
3 May 2024
Pre-booked The Jacobite Steam Train for our return trip from Fort William to Mallaig. Walked along the beach to see the Corpach Shipwreck located between Corpach and Caol. In Fort William some of the tourist shops were open in the evening until 10pm. Walked up Neptune's Stair Case - the 8 canal locks - to take photographs of the boats moored at the top. Stopped at a craft shop next to the canal. Drove to Spean Bridge (10 miles approx) to visit a Woollen Mill Shop.
I went up for a job interview and fell in love with the...
25 February 2024
I went up for a job interview and fell in love with the views which were breathtaking. The people were polite and welcoming on the whole. The food was good when we had dinner or lunch outside the hotel.
Fort William as a town needs investment, depending on why...
25 February 2024
Fort William as a town needs investment, depending on why you are there I suppose would change your opinion. Ben nevis 10 mins away, beautiful loch on doorstep fishing , climbing walking, down hill cycling, ski ing, diving all plus points. Night time especially week night useless. Morar and Mallaig to the North beautiful and in summer amazing beach at Morar. If you are there for hobby or sport great base camp, if you are a tourist and like entertainment at night during the week go somewhere else.
Fort William, United Kingdom
From £165 per night
Fort William, United Kingdom
From £263.34 per night
