Fort William is an excellent central location to explore the Scottish highlands with various day trips possible. Loch Ness, The Caledonian Canal, The Great Glen Way and Inverness are to the North; Aviemore and the Cairngorm National Park are to the East; Oban, Glasgow, Loch Lomond and The West Highland Way are to the South; and the road to the Isles and Skye are to the West. All are within 2 hours driving time and can be reached by public transport. Combined with Ben Nevis, Aonoch Mor and Britain's only mountain Gondola, Ben Nevis Distillery, cruises on Loch Linnhe and other attractions around the town, St Anthonys is an ideal place to stay for 2-3 days or even more!
Citylink buses link the town directly with the Isle of Skye, Inverness, Oban and Glasgow, all within 2-3 hours www.citylink.co.uk/. Scotrail trains link the town with Glasgow with stops along the West Highland Way and Loch Lomand or Mallaig and the Skye ferry www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/. Ferries to Skye and Mull operate from Mallaig and Oban by Caledonian Macbrayne http://www.calmac.co.uk/
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIMES FROM FORT WILLIAM
Glasgow Airport - 2 hours
Glasgow City - 2 hr 15 minutes
Prestwick Airport - 2 hr 40 minutes
Fort Augustus (Loch Ness) - 45 minutes
Oban (Mull Ferry) - 1 hour
Inverness - 1 hour 30 minutes
Aviemore (Cairngorm National Park) - 1 hour 15 minutes
Mallaig (Skye Ferry) - 1 hour
Skye Bridge - 2 hours
Eilean Donan Castle - 1 hour 45 minutes
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
For information on the Jacobite Steam Train service between Fort William and Mallaig - the Harry Potter train - visit the website http://www.westcoastrailway.co.uk/
Every year, thousands of people take the route up Ben Nevis. It offers an amazing challenge and spectacular views. All ages accomplish the journey but please remember - every year our mountain rescue team is called out to rescue those who do not make it safely and fatalities can occur. The weather nearer to top of the Ben is very unpredictable and can change rapidly. At the very least it will be approximately 10 degrees colder than at sea level. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Carry a good routemap, compass and some waterproofs. Good footwear is essential. For more information, visit http://www.nevisrange.co.uk/
Take the Gondola on the Nevis Range - open all year ( weather permitting for safety). You can enjoy coffee at the Snowgoose Restaurant whilst sitting at over 2,000ft.
Lochaber GEOPARK- Understand the local Geology using the "Lochaber Geotrails" leaflets which describe 8 local walks in geological terms. On sale in our B & B at 15p each.
FISHING
Website giving information on the wide range of fishing available in the Fort William area - www.fortwilliamfishing.com
The Fort William area reputedly has some of the UK's best mountain biking. Hosting the Mountain Bike World Cup every year and the World Chamionships in 2007, the area boasts world class forestry commission trails, as well as gentler routes for all abilities. We have secure storage facilities to store your bike or there are rental options within the town.
www.ridefortwilliam.co.uk- An excellent site showing local trails for all abilities and riding styles.
www.mtb-highland.co.uk - Another great site giving trail information for the highland region.
WALKING
The Fort William area has many walks to suit all abilities including Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. It marks the end of the West Highland Way from Milngavie, Glasgow, and the start of the Great Glen Way to Inverness.
www.walkhighlands.co.uk - A comprehensive site showing walks of various lengths and levels of difficulty in the highland area.
www.greatglenway.com - Official site for the Way with maps and descriptions of the route.
The closest ski resort is the Nevis Range, only 7 miles away offering tuition, equipment rental and a gondola to the slopes. The other four resorts in Scotland are between 30 and 90 minutes drive from Fort William.
The Fort William area reputedly has some of the UK's best mountain biking. Hosting the Mountain Bike World Cup every year and the World Chamionships in 2007, the area boasts world class forestry commission trails, as well as gentler routes for all abilities. We have secure storage facilities to store your bike or there are rental options within the town.
