Fort William, often hailed as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK,” sits at the foot of Ben Nevis. It’s a world-renowned town that serves as a gateway into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Of course, this is a place where dramatic landscapes meet historical tales.
The town’s strategic location has made Fort William a hub over the years. It has roots as a military garrison, along with being a tourist epicenter. Ultimately, you might be here on a 9-day hike with Orbis Ways or simply visiting the town and its many pubs. Either way, below is a list of places to visit within the area.
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is not any old mountain; it is the UK’s highest peak, an icon that brings many hikers and adventurers from across the world. The popular “Mountain Track” offers a challenging climb to the 1,345-metre summit. It is accessible to most reasonably fit hikers but should never be underestimated, especially by beginners. More experienced climbers can choose demanding technical routes, but it’s worth keeping a close eye on the weather as it can get very windy.
The reward for reaching the summit is a breathtaking panoramic view stretching across the best of the Highlands. However, even for those who can’t manage a summit climb, lower viewpoints from the Nevis Range or near Glen Nevis give an alternate way to admire the landscape, as well as being great for pictures.
Steall Falls
Steall Falls is somewhat of a hidden gem and is a gateway into the scenic Nevis Gorge. Reaching this waterfall involves a fun trek, past dense trees that echo with birdsongs, along with ancient woodland lining the valley walls. The path leads you to the Steall wire bridge with a fairly iconic three-wire rope crossing.
It’s not for the faint of heart, with the slight wobble gets the heart racing. Steall Falls has a vast cascade of water plunging downwards, with the water white against the dark rock. This hidden valley is something quite unique for Scotland, and it’s tucked away from the usual tourist trails.
The West Highland Museum
The West Highland Museum offers more than a handful of artifacts – it provides an insight history of the region, which has been a historically important place. It’s housed in a charming building on Cameron Square and still holds treasures that show off the area’s past. Among the eclectic collections you’ll find Jacobite memorabilia weapons and domestic items telling stories.
The museum is large enough to take up a few hours of your day, so head down early if you want to still have a lot of daylight left after finishing.
Neptune’s Staircase
Neptune’s Staircase is located just north of Fort William. It’s an extraordinary feat of engineering that is situated on the Caledonian Canal. This impressive series of eight locks allows boats to climb or descend a considerable height difference with each lock sequentially filling or draining, gently guiding vessels through the system.
Viewing points at the side of the locks gives some interesting angles to appreciate the operation, and they’re ideal to film from with your phone. A stroll along the canal towpath or a bike ride offers peaceful scenery, but keep an eye on the wildlife too, as there are lots of interesting birds around.
Loch Linnhe
Loch Linnhe is a stretch of water going alongside Fort William. Just like the more famous Loch Lomond, Loch Linnhe has some activities within it, along with some great views. From the lochside, Ben Nevis is a spectacular backdrop for waterside photographs. Boat trips and kayaking excursions are popular options that get you out onto the waters.
The shoreline has tons of picturesque locations where you can soak in the views from a less elevated viewpoint. And, to top it off, sunset across the loch can paint the sky in spectacular colors.
Final Word
Fort William is more than a place to visit in and of itself, it’s a hub that branches out to many historic and scenic sites around it. From Ben Nevis to Steall Falls, there are lots of hiking options, as well as a great local food and beer scene.
