Things to see & do – Fort William

While you are in the area why not experience some of the local attractions of which there are a few, from steam trains & gondolas to staircases made of water, there is something for everyone.

Jacobite Steam Train

Most people know it as the train from Harry Potter but it is so much more than that. The West Highland Railway Line is described as one of the great railway journeys of the world, it is an 84 mile round trip of spectacular scenery. Starting in Fort William it visits Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis! The train stops en route to Mallaig at the village of Glenfinnan. Beyond Glenfinnan are the beautiful villages of Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar and last but not least Mallaig.

Caledonian Canal – Neptune’s Staircase

Four miles from Fort William is Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Britain. It is a spectacular example of engineering and is a must see if you are in the area. It is also an excellent point for views of Ben Nevis.

Nevis Range Mountain Gondola

Situated 7 miles north of Fort William is Nevis Range Visitors Centre, the only mountain gondola in Britain. The Gondolas transport visitors effortlessly from 300ft up to 2150ft on the North Face of Anoach Mor. The journey takes 12 – 15 mins each way and offers breath-taking views of the Scottish Highlands, on a clear day the view can extend as far as the Inner Hebrides.