Things To Do In Fort William
Located in the Scottish Highlands on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is known as the UK's "outdoor capital”, being the home to Ben Nevis, the U.K.’s highest peak, and the Glen Nevis valley, one of Scotland’s most picturesque Highland glens.
Fort William is a popular base for tourists that are heading towards the Scottish Isles so if you are on the road to the Isles, make sure you stop off here to see the town and its incredible surrounding areas.
Fort William has lots of incredible things to offer, but here are our top picks;
Climb Ben Nevis
One of Fort William's main draws is Ben Nevis. The famous peak is 4,411 feet high, making it the UK’s tallest mountain. Each year around 125k walkers take on the challenge of climbing Ben Nevis. We climbed Ben Nevis in the summer of 2021 which was an incredible, yet demanding experience. The climb up and down took us around ten hours including rest breaks. Unfortunately for us, halfway up the fog rolled in, blocking the picturesque view from the top of the mountain. However, on a clear day you will get an incredible 360 degree panoramic view stretching as far as Northern Ireland.
Although the climb is very beautiful and an incredible accomplishment, it is also very demanding. It's never 'easy' climbing a mountain, especially one as high as Ben Nevis. You'll need a good amount of hillwalking experience, fitness, hill craft and navigation skills before attempting Ben Nevis. Be sensible and prepared for all scenarios. The paths to the top can be quite steep and treacherous, so inexperienced hikers and those traveling with young kids may be better off giving this one a miss and try one of the many other incredible hikes around the area.
If you do choose to climb Ben Nevis make sure you are well prepared with extra snacks, water, a change of clothes and even a small first aid kit - you never know what could happen. We even carry survival bags, which are similar to thermal blankets and waterproof, to keep us warm incase we get stuck. The weather up Ben Nevis can be a little unpredictable as it changes frequently.
Whether you're an avid hiker or you just love beautiful landscapes, bagging 'the Ben' is likely to feature near the top of your Scottish bucket list.
Hike to Steall Falls
One of our personal favourite things to do in Fort William is to take a hike up to the impressive Steall Falls, situated in Glen Nevis. The breathtaking scenery and views of Scotland’s second highest waterfall, at over 394 feet, makes it clear to see why the two-mile walk is said to be one of the best short walks in Scotland. As you walk through the forest with the calming sounds of wind, rushing water, and footsteps on the rocky path below, you will feel your worries fade as you’re immersed in beauty of the Nevis Gorge.
Closer to the falls, you will notice a steel rope bridge hovering over the stream. The rope bridge is wobbly, but strong and sturdy, requiring hiking boots or a good pair of running shoes. The bridge presents an exciting opportunity for those who are seeking an adrenaline rush and wanting to get up close to the falls.
Whilst there, maybe even dip your toes in the cold water from the falls and take a moments to feel more connected to nature - this was by far one of our favorite things to do
Did you know: The waterfall featured in the movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” when Harry takes on the Hungarian Horntail dragon in the Triwizard Tournament.
Visit an abandoned shipwreck
One of Scotland’s best hidden gems and photogenic spots lies just outside of Fort William, at Corpach.
This large abandoned shipwreck sits near the far end of the Caledonian Canal on Loch Linnhe beach at Corpach. The shipwreck has become known as the Corpach Wreck, however, her real name is MV Dayspring. She was Built in 1975 and used as an old fishing vessel until she was moored at Kinlochleven Pier in 2001. Unfortunately in 2011, a heavy storm caused a chain to fail and she ran aground and has been there ever since. The boat now sits on the stony beach of Loch Eil, with a stunning backdrop of Ben Nevis.. The tranquility of this spot makes it every photographer’s dream location, with glasslike water to your right, the towering peak of Ben Nevis as your background and the mystery of the Corpach Shipwreck as your main subject.
If you are visiting the highlands, this is a stop you cannot miss!
See (or ride) the Jacobite steam train
One of the most famous things to do in Fort William is to drive to Glenfinnan and see the Jacobite Steam Train. Most famous for its role as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter movies, the Jacobite travels between Fort William and Mallaig, a magical route for those that want to see more of Scotland. ‘Potter-heads’ from all over the world travel to Fort William and its surrounding areas to see the train.
The best place to see the Jacobite train is in Glenfinnan, at the Glenfinnan viaduct, which was made famous as the bridge to Hogwarts seen in the Harry Potter movies. We did a lovely walk to the Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint starting from the Glenfinnan Station Museum and following the Viaduct trail. The trail offers outstanding views of the surrounding mountainous terrain and Loch Shiel, taking around 30 minutes at a steady pace to get to the view point.
The Jacobite Steam Train passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct at approximately 10.45am and 3.10pm. At certain times in the season there are 2 steam trains a day - check the West Coast Railway website for further details. Also, note that the steam train does not run at weekends throughout the entire season.
Visit the Treasures of the Earth Museum
If you are like me and love geology and crystals then need to visit the Treasures of the Earth Museum! The museum is home to some of the most beautiful collections of minerals, gemstones and fossils, including a 7 feet tall amethyst geode which was formed more than 200 millions years ago!
Previously a Catholic Church, the building has since been turned into one of Europe’s largest collection of Crystals, Gemstones & Fossils, with an impressive array of exhibits, including fossil remains ranging from 500 million year old trilobites, to petrified wood, ancient amber and sabre-tooth tiger skull! The museum lies slightly outside Fort William, four miles away, in the town of Corpach.
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