Things to do in Fort William

Selected for Best Things to Do in Scottish Highlands

Fort William

Fort William is located near the northern end of Loch Linnhe and is an important local town, transportation hub, and outdoor travel destination. The town is compact, with shops, cafes, restaurants, accommodations, and various services along its main street, making much of the town area walkable. Its surroundings are a mix of mountains, lakes, rivers, and valleys, offering rich natural views. It is also an important stop on the West Highland Line, where you can take the Jacobite Steam Train to enjoy views of the valleys, lakes, and viaducts along the way. It offers both daily town life and easy access to surrounding natural attractions, making it suitable for planning your hiking, sightseeing, and Scottish Highlands exploration itinerary.

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in United Kingdom

Nevis Range Mountain Resort

Nevis Range Mountain Resort is located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, adjacent to Ben Nevis, and is a year-round mountain resort. Since opening, it has attracted tens of thousands of skiers, cyclists, hikers, and sightseers each year, all coming to experience the unique charm of the Highland mountains. The core experience at Nevis Range Mountain Resort is taking the mountain cable car from the base to the mountainside. During this smooth journey, you can take in magnificent views of the valley and Ben Nevis. Upon reaching the top, visitors can enjoy food and drinks at the restaurant or bar while admiring the panoramic views, or hike along mountain trails to various viewpoints to experience the vastness and openness of the Highlands from a higher vantage point. The true charm of Nevis Range Mountain Resort lies in its rich, year-round activities. In summer, it is a destination for mountain biking. In winter, it transforms into a ski resort with various ski runs and multiple ski lifts, suitable for ski enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to experts.

Jacobite Steam Train

The Jacobite steam train in Scotland, England, is a "dream train" for steam locomotive enthusiasts and film fans worldwide. It's renowned as the filming location for the "Hogwarts Express" in the Harry Potter films. It runs through the western Scottish Highlands, connecting Mallaig Station with Fort William Station. The journey is approximately 41 kilometers, taking two hours. Regular service runs from April to October, with occasional limited service added in winter. The train's iconic dark green bodywork and brass-trimmed steam locomotive are a hallmark of the train. As it travels, white steam billows across the Highland wilderness, and the whistle echoes through the mountains, recreating the romantic charm of the industrial age. The scenery along the way is a true epitome of the Scottish Highlands. The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct—the curved stone arch bridge where the train soars over the valley in the films—and passes by tributaries of Loch Ness, snow-capped mountains, and tranquil lochs. Every frame is captivating, like a documentary of the Highlands. The carriages retain traditional wooden seats and vintage lighting, and some are equipped with observation decks where passengers can lean out at any time to enjoy the unobstructed wilderness views. They can also purchase traditional Scottish snacks and hot drinks on the train, allowing them to immerse themselves in the dual experiences of "traveling through a magical world" and "wandering through the wonderland of the Highlands," making this a classic and unmissable item on any in-depth Scottish tour.

Glen Coe

Glen Coe is located in the western part of the Scottish Highlands in the United Kingdom and is a natural area renowned for its deep valleys, steep peaks, and vast wilderness scenery. It was shaped by ancient glacial activity and volcanic geological processes, with continuous high mountains, rock walls, and rolling slopes on both sides of the valley, while the river flows through the middle and towards Loch Leven. The mountains here have distinct silhouettes, and vegetation changes with altitude, with grassy slopes, rocky terrain, and mountain streams being common. It also presents different light and shadow effects as the weather shifts between sun and clouds. It is characterized by its pristine Highland scenery, abundant hiking routes, and open natural environment, and is also one of the most iconic mountain views in Scotland.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Fort William

Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. It is located in the Grampian Mountains in western Scotland, UK, adjacent to the small town of Fort William in the Highlands. The mountain is made of ancient granite, and the top of the mountain is often shrouded in clouds and mist. The gentle slopes and steep cliffs interweave to form a unique landform landscape. Many hiking routes run through the tundra and gravel slopes. Among them, the "Tourist Trail" is suitable for beginners. After reaching the top, you can overlook the magnificent panoramic view of Lochaber Gorge and Linne Bay. The ruins of the 19th-century meteorological observatory are preserved on the mountainside, and the mottled stone walls bear witness to the early scientific expedition history. In spring, streams rush after the snow melts, in summer, heather covers the hillside, and in autumn, rainbows often appear in the mist. There is a Ben Nevis Visitor Center at the foot of the mountain, which provides terrain sand table demonstrations and ecological protection exhibitions. Photography enthusiasts often come here to capture the magical moment when the sea of ​​clouds flows over the peak. Visitors can also choose geological surveys or star observation projects on their own.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Scottish Highlands

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Glenfinnan Viaduct is located near the village of Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom, and is a representative railway bridge on the West Highland Line. It spans the Finnan Valley and is surrounded by rolling hills, open grasslands, and the natural scenery of the Scottish Highlands. The entire bridge is constructed of concrete and extends in a graceful arc, consisting of 21 continuous arches. The bridge is approx. 30 m high, with clean, smooth lines that complement the surrounding valley scenery. Visitors can follow the surrounding trails to the area beneath the bridge or to hillside viewpoints to enjoy views of the arched bridge, trains, and the valley from different angles. You can also view Loch Shiel nearby and include it in the same trip as the Glenfinnan railway station and monument.

Neptune's Staircase

Steall Waterfall

This waterfall offers beautiful, pleasant scenery, and the short distance to the canyon floor makes it ideal for hiking.

Commando Memorial

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Scotland

Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands encompass the majestic mountains and valleys of Great Britain. The region is sparsely populated, with vast stretches of wilderness maintaining a raw and desolate appearance. Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, stands in the heart of the Highlands. Its summit is shrouded in mist year-round, and the weather is changeable, attracting many hikers to climb it. The Great Glen divides the Highlands into two, with the Grampian Mountains and the Northwest Highlands on either side, and the area is dotted with numerous lakes and valleys. Glen Coe is famous for its jagged peaks and wild, desolate moors, making it one of the iconic landscapes of the Highlands. Driving along the A82 road, you can see The Three Sisters rising abruptly. Loch Ness is hidden deep in the Great Glen, with the ruins of Urquhart Castle standing quietly on the shore. The Highlands also preserve Scottish Gaelic cultural traditions and whisky distilling techniques, and many distilleries along the route offer tastings of single malt whisky. Driving along wild roads, strolling along mountain trails, visiting ancient castles and lakes, or touring whisky distilleries are all popular local experiences.