Fort William

Travel Guide

Fort William featuring street scenes
Fort William which includes heritage elements and railway items as well as an individual femail
Commando Memorial showing a statue or sculpture and a monument
Fort William which includes mountains and a lake or waterhole
Ben Nevis featuring tranquil scenes and landscape views

Hike around this picturesque region for views of the stunning lochs. Study Scottish cultural facets of pubs, haggis and whiskey.

Lochs, hills and Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, surround the quaint town of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. The settlement, which overlooks the vast Loch Linnhe, has a castle and a bustling central main street. Appreciate the serene countryside setting as you hike past forests and lakes.

Ben Nevis reaches 4,409 feet (1,344 meters) above sea level. Learn about the huge rock formation and its history. Use climbing equipment for your ascent up the Pony Track from the Glen Nevis base. At the summit is an abandoned observatory.

The region is known for its lakes. Go to Loch Lochy for excellent views of hilly woodland. Learn about the Battle of the Shirts in 1544. At lake’s southern end is the Caledonian Canal, which contains Neptune’s Staircase. Watch the 90-minute mechanical process that lifts boats. Learn the origins of this staircase lock, which is among the longest in Britain and dates back to 1803.

Pay tribute to fallen officers of World War II at the Commando Memorial. The statue of British Commandos has a stunning backdrop of Ben Nevis.

In the town, visit the 13th-century Old Inverlochy Castle, where tremendous battles occurred. A short distance away is Ben Nevis Distillery, which has been making whiskey since 1825. Enjoy a tasting and learn about whiskey distilling. Wander through the nearby Leanachan Forest.

Browse shops and dine at restaurants in the small town center. Eat at a typical Scottish pub serving the national dish of haggis, containing sheep parts with onions and spices.

The region has freezing winters. Snow adds a postcard-pretty element to the mountainous backdrop. Pleasant summers provide ideal picnic conditions.

The town is in the southwestern part of the Highlands of Scotland in the northwestern region of the country. Regular buses and trains depart from Glasgow. The Caledonian Sleeper train runs overnight from London. Drive from Edinburgh in about 3 hours.

Fort William is a loch town concealed in the Highlands by Britain’s second Big Ben.

Where to stay in Fort William

Fort William featuring railway items and heritage elements

Fort William City Centre

5/5(15 area reviews)

Travelers come to Fort William City Centre for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Great Glen Way and West Highland Museum while you're in town.

Fort William City Centre
The Caledonian Hotel
The Caledonian Hotel
3 out of 5
Achintoe Road, Fort William, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$156 nightly
The price is $188 total per night from Jun 15 to Jun 16
$188 total
Jun 15 - Jun 16
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Fort William. Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7/10 Good! (1,073 reviews)
Overall good.
"We had an overnight stay. Yes, the hotel in some areas need updating, but overall it was fine. Staff were friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on May 31, 2025

The Caledonian Hotel
The Garrison
The Garrison
4 out of 5
High Street, Fort William, Scotland
$202 nightly
The price is $242 total per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
$242 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Fort William. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (802 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Nice room."

Reviewed on May 27, 2025

The Garrison
Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club
Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club
3 out of 5
North Road, Fort William, Scotland
$308 nightly
The price is $370 total per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
$370 total
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Fort William. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
6.8/10 (893 reviews)
"Only stayed at the hotel for 1 night. Arrived around 8pm & left again around 7am the following morning. Didn’t stay for breakfast. All the staff I encountered were very friendly & helpful. Room was spotless & more than adequate for my stay. Lots of tea bags & milk so big plus for me."

Reviewed on May 28, 2025

Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Shack and Pods at Inchree
The Shack and Pods at Inchree
3.5 out of 5
The Shack at Inchree, Inchree, Fort William, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Fort William. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions The Dragons Tooth Golf Course and Pixel Spirits ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
"Nice, clean, and well insulated. We felt very secure and comfortable. Only complaint is that the WiFi signal was a little weak but we didn’t really mind disconnecting for the night (it was still enough to book our next room and view itineraries etc)."

Reviewed on Nov 21, 2024

The Shack and Pods at Inchree
Glenlochy Nevis Bridge Apartments
Glenlochy Nevis Bridge Apartments
3 out of 5
North Road, Fort William, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star golf apartment in Fort William. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ben Nevis and Commando Monument are ...
"This is a perfect apartment for a small group to visit Fort William. It has a parking spot if you are driving yourself. It put us in driving range ti visit the Isle of Skye. Takes a whole day to do but worth it if you get over that way"

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2024

Glenlochy Nevis Bridge Apartments
Shepherds Rest self catering sleeps 6, pets welcome.
Shepherds Rest self catering sleeps 6, pets welcome.
Fort William
Stay at this vacation home in Fort William. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ben Nevis and Neptune's Staircase are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (88 reviews)
A great spot
"Lovely place, really well located, clean and quiet (plus 3 amazing friendly dogs on site!)"

Reviewed on May 29, 2025

Shepherds Rest self catering sleeps 6, pets welcome.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Fort William

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
34
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
38
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
12
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

More of a place to go and visit the nearby attractions than do much within the city itself. I was only there one night though and the West Highland Museum wasn’t open or I would have visited it!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

High street is nice

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

The history of Fort William was fascinating!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

The hotel is between Fort William and Glencoe , and miles from both. The hotel offers an adequate pub/resaturant, but no other walkable options are accessible.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I will come back and visit!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Ft William not really a destination. Nothing much there and restaurants not great. Yet it is the areas around Ft William that are beautiful.

Cities near Fort William