Things to do in Fort William
This post may contain affiliate links of which we earn a small commission should you choose to purchase through them. This helps us to keep the site running. Thank you for your support
A few months ago, we took a trip to an area we hadn’t visited before to stay at the Highland Holidays Ben Nevis resort in Fort William.
What we discovered was a fantastic family-friendly place that’s made us really want to go back and explore some more.
Especially given the breathtaking views of Ben Nevis from almost anywhere in the town.
Where is Fort William?
Fort William is a small town located in the Scottish Highlands. Approximately three hours drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh and just 66 miles from Inverness.
Known for its breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities, Fort William is a popular destination for travellers looking to explore the great outdoors. It’s also incredibly popular with Harry Potter fans, which I’m sure you’ll be able to understand if you read on.
There’s so much to do in such a small area, but we’ve picked out some of the best things to do in Fort William.
Visit Ben Nevis
Let’s be honest, it would be hard not to catch a glimpse of Ben Nevis if you were anywhere in Fort William. It’s just so imposing and lurches over the town.
The highest mountain in the British Isles, standing at an impressive 1,345 meters it’s a popular hike for those more experienced hillwalkers, but there are also more moderate trails for those looking for a less strenuous experience.
We didn’t hike Ben Nevis but just spent the entire time watching how the lighting throughout the day changed how the mountain looked, revealing new details every time the sun changed where the shadows we being cast.
Such a beautiful view.
Take a boat tour of Loch Linnhe
Loch Linnhe is a long, narrow sea loch that stretches from Fort William to the Atlantic Ocean. Taking a boat tour on this beautiful loch is a great way to see the surrounding landscapes and possibly even spot some of the local wildlife.
Tours can be booked quite easily. Our other two guests on our trip booked theirs through Get Your Guide and went on an evening sailing which lasted around 2 hours. Make sure you wrap up warm though as it can get quite cold out on the open water.
Head to the Glenfinnan Viaduct
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a famous railway viaduct that spans the Glenfinnan Valley. It’s best known for its appearance in the Harry Potter movies, where it was featured during the trip to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express. You can take a train ride over the viaduct on the Jacobite steam train which was actually the train used in the film, or admire it from the hillside at the visitor centre.
It’s a very popular tourist attraction and probably the biggest draw of tourists to the area at the moment, so make sure you’re clued up on the timetable for the train and head along sharp to get a good spot as the best viewpoints are quite a walk from the car park.
You can also take an easier walk closer to the centre which is slightly more accessible. Don’t worry though as you can always catch sight of the Jacobite at the train station in Fort William if you’d like to see it up close.
Visit the Corpach Shipwreck
Just a short drive from Fort William, the same direction as the Viaduct, in fact, you’ll find the village of Corpach.
Head down towards the harbour in the village and take a short walk over the canal and to the banks of Loch Linnhe where you’ll find the most amazing shipwreck of an old fishing vessel.
It’s quite a strange tourist attraction, but I think that the setting makes it almost beautiful.
Photographers swarm here in their hundreds to get shots of the boat with Ben Nevis in the background. It’s a very popular spot if you’ve ever used Instagram to look at photos of the Fort William area.
Visit the West Highland Museum
The West Highland Museum is located in the centre of Fort William and is a great place to learn about the local history and culture. The museum houses a collection of artefacts and exhibits that tell the story of the town and its surrounding area.
The museum itself is free to visit but survives on charitable donations, so we recommend donating a small amount if you can afford to in order to help keep this fantastic resource running.
Overall, Fort William is a fantastic destination for those looking to experience the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. With its stunning landscapes and abundance of outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in this charming town.
Just a short distance from Inverness if you fancy visiting Scotlands most northern city.
