12 Things to do in Fort William and Lochaber

Get into the outdoors and explore the untouched landscapes of the West Highland Peninsulas. Made up of Ardnamurchan, Moidart, Morvern, Sunart, and Ardgour, here you’ll find some of the most beautiful, remote, and unspoilt scenery in Scotland, with a wide range of outdoor activities, attractions, and things to do.

Embark on an award-winning nature and wildlife tour with an experienced and knowledgeable guide to make the most of your time here. Explore the area on foot with plenty of walking routes and trails for all abilities, from family wanders to challenging mountain climbs. Hire a bike and explore cycle routes throughout the region, and if you’re a keen mountain biker there is plenty of adventure to be had here too, with challenging trails and terrain. If you’re looking for a more relaxed approach to the outdoors, slow down your travels and bask in the tranquillity of the area with gentle strolls, incredible sandy beaches, wellness experiences and even forest bathing to enjoy.

It’s not a trip to Scotland without tasting our ‘water of life’, Uisge beatha, or embarking on a tour of one of our whisky or gin distilleries. Visit Ben Nevis Distillery, one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland, which has been producing delectable whiskies since 1825. Head west to Drimnin to explore Nc’nean Distillery, an independent, organic whisky distillery whose name derives from ‘Neachneohain’, an ancient Gaelic goddess known as the ‘Queen of Spirits’. Located on the most western point of mainland Scotland, visit Ardnamurchan Distillery and delve into how processes have changed since 1826. Did you know Ardnamurchan Distillery was just awarded ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ in the Icons of Whisky Scotland awards? For something a little different, Pixel Distillery is a gin and rum distillery set in the serene surroundings of Ballachulish and even hosts a spirit school so you can get hands on with the intricate distilling process.

Hop on two wheels and pedal along 75 miles of path, track, and canal to discover the Great Glen Way, one of Scotland’s Great Trails. Cycle the waymarked route from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the north, passing many iconic glens and lochs along the way. Some parts of the route are more challenging, so a mountain bike would be best for this trail.   Break up the route over the course of a few days and stop in at welcoming B&Bs, hotels, or hostels in local communities along the way. Browse local shops and small businesses as you go to soak up more of the culture and history of the area.

Renowned for its mountain biking experiences and opportunities, Fort William is the place to be if you're a keen mountain biker or cyclist. The Nevis Range offers a mountain gondola which takes you to the top of some rocky downhill tracks. Explore out to Lochaber on two wheels with tours across remote landscapes, or opt the more relaxed, shorter trails that still encompasses the surrounding serenity of the area.

Experience Fort William and Lochaber from a different point of view. Hop onboard a cruise or charter and explore the lochs and shores around this mesmerising region. Keep your eyes peeled for the local seal colony, otters, porpoises, and even white-tailed eagles as you embark on a 2-hour boat trip along Loch Linnhe. Soak up the iconic views of Glenfinnan as you explore Loch Shiel where you may be able to spot golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, red throated divers, hen harriers, red deer and more.

Book the passenger ferry with Arisaig Marine for an extra special experience. The MV Sheerwater offers indoor and outdoor seating with great viewpoints to take in the surrounding scenery and Small Isles with plenty of wildlife to see, including sea eagles, cetacean, basking sharks, and manx shearwaters. Or discover the Caledonian Canal with a cruising holiday that takes in the lochs of Ness, Oich, and Lochy, all with an experienced skipper and friendly crew to look after you.

Peppered with towering peaks and ancient landscapes to explore, you’ve got the perfect playground for getting outdoors in Scotland. Not just a popular spot for trying out skiing, snowboarding and snowsports. The Nevis Range offers up a variety of activities, including walking and hiking to incredible mountain vista views, mountain biking with trails, paths, and world class descents, or for something more gentle, try orienteering. Explore from the top down, with the Mountain Gondola and Climbers Gondola taking you to the top, allowing you to explore the range in other ways. Glencoe is an area in Scotland that needs little introduction. Head to Glencoe Mountain for more outdoor fun, with chairlift rides, disc golf, biking, tubing, and treasure hunts that the wee ones will love too.

The Caledonian Canal is a popular spot in Scotland, connecting the east coast at Inverness to the west coast at Fort William. Stretching 62 miles (100km) and made up of lochs Dochfour, Ness, Oich, and Lochy, only one part of the canal is man-made and was constructed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford in the early 1800s. These lochs are situated in the Great Glen and feature 29 ‘locks’, four aqueducts and 10 bridges.

Neptune’s Staircase, located at Banavie, features eight ‘locks’ and is an amazing feat of engineering, with the whole canal rising by 19m (62ft) over a quarter mile span. This is a perfect spot for relaxing and soaking in the views of the glen, with swooping valleys for miles around you. Get out on the water and explore The Great Glen Canoe Trail – a long-distance canoeing trail with options for paddlers of all abilities.

The west coast of Scotland is an ideal place to try out a range of watersports. With dozens of fascinating islands, coastal gems, and sandy beaches to enjoy along the way, a day out trying watersports is not to be missed. Get in touch with your wild side and try out canyoning and gorge walking, or explore the shores with snorkelling opportunities. Feel the adrenaline rush whilst you try white water rafting, or enjoy a calmer experience with sea kayaking and picturesque wild swimming spots. Across Lochaber you’ll find experienced instructors and operators that can help you get out on the water, no matter if you’re a beginner or a pro.

The UK’s highest mountain and the most iconic peak in Scotland, Ben Nevis towers over Fort William and is a bucket list item for those with an appetite for adventure. If you’re set on scaling this Munro, head out with a knowledgeable mountain guide to show you the best route and safest way to the top, with all the mesmerising views along the way. Before you head off, make sure you have all the correct equipment, plan ahead safely, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

If you’d rather admire Ben Nevis from ground level but still want to head out on walking trails nearby, here are a few less challenging suggestions:

• Cow Hill Circuit, Fort William
• Aonach Mòr and Beag via the Gondola
• Dùn Deardail Fort, Glen Nevis
• Nevis Range Gonola viewpoint walks
• Sgùrr an Utha
• Stob Coire a’Chearcaill, from Loch Eil
• Beinn Resipol

If the weather isn’t that great, or you just prefer a more relaxing day in Fort William, head to the Highland Cinema. This purpose-built cinema features innovative technology set within a beautiful traditional-style Highland building. Sit back and relax in the luxury seats, stay up to date with unique events and festivals, or cosy up in the restaurant bar with an outside terrace and warming wood-burning stove.

Did you know the Highland Cinema was awarded ‘UK Cinema of the Year’ in 2023? They also display a range of unique films too, including ‘Highlands From the Air’, a documentary specially commission and produced by the Highland Cinema.

Located in the heart of Fort William, enjoy free entry to the West Highland Museum where you can see world-famous Jacobite exhibits, alongside collections from local history and archaeology displays up to the present day. Learn all about the history of the Highlands across eight rooms of displays, with special artefacts including Rob Roy’s sporran, treasure from a Spanish Armada shipwreck, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s embroidered silk waistcoat, and bagpipes from the Battle of Bannockburn. Stop by the shop for a variety of themed gifts, jewellery, books and more to choose from.

You can’t go far in Scotland without stumbling across a golf course or two – we have so many! But no two are the same, and in Fort William you can tee off with the spectacular backdrop of some of Scotland’s most famed landscapes. There are four courses to choose from in Fort William. The 18-hole Fort William Golf Club is nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis and provides a great challenge for keen golfers. Spean Bridge Golf Club offers a small yet rewarding 9-hole course, surrounded by towering mountains and home to the famous Commando Memorial. Take in the breathtaking views of the Small Isles and the Cullins on the Isle of Skye whilst you play a round on Traigh Golf Course right on the coast of Arisaig. Lastly, tee off at the world-class Woodlands Golf Course, boasting spectacular scenery and named by Golf.com as one of the ‘Top 50, 9-hole courses in the world’.

Head northwest of Fort William to Knoydart. This rugged and remote landscape boasts the perfect playground for getting outdoors on two feet, two wheels, or by boat – and you won’t be disappointed by the immense scenery here either.

Stretch out further from Lochaber and explore the Small Isles of Eigg, Canna, Rum, and Muck that are home to native wildlife, untouched landscapes, peaks to climb, and much more. Aside from the Small Isles, you’ll be met with a range of other islands on your doorstep too, so book a ferry and make the journey out to these magical spots.