Ben Nevis and other Fort William, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

The Highest but not the prettiest mountain in the UK.
Location Map

Have a look at this Webcam image of Ben Nevis viewed from Fort William. Dull isn't it?

1344m / 4409 ft above sea level. Fort William is at sea level, so it may not be very high - but its a long pull up for tourists. 3 hours up.

For most average folk, Ben Nevis is boring, but a challenge - and any mountain uplifts the mood when you sit on its summit and survey your world.

A Warning: The weather on the summit will kill the unprepared. Take the cautions seriously, understand the insidious threat of hypothermia, and don't think its low altitude means it's a softy. Ben Nevis is the scene of many deaths due to poor preparation and human error.

An exciting and memorable way up "The Ben" is via Carn Mor Dearg and it's superb narrow ridge - breathtaking - with views of climbers in the Northern Corries. Infinitely preferable to the Tourist Path plod up from Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. Do some planning! Detailed on-line map

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Directions: Glen Nevis - SE of Fort William, 4 miles.

The Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig (Ferry to Isle of Skye) is the star of Harry Potter.

The scenery is beyond words - this is one of the world's great journeys - please do it. See the Train website for info. Other times the train is a normal diesel engine - the scenery is the same but .. Book on the steam train now!

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Directions: West / North of Fort William - towards Mallaig
Website: www.multimap.co.uk

This is about 30 minutes drive south from Fort William so is likely to be your route to or from the town.

Glencoe is the reason to be in this part of Scotland / the world, and Fort William is just the nearby main town and service centre.

Please don't rush Glencoe!!! Take an hour off from Fort William and add it to Glencoe.

Another film location for the latest Harry Potter, with Hagrid's house up above the Clachaig Inn (useful food and drink stop - shelter from midge and rain!)

Clachaig Inn - not the friendliest owners in the world. Go to the climbers bar (right hand side around the back, past the kitchens - honest!) for a more sympathetic setting, mountaineers and a wood burning stove - and food / beer / music.

Glencoe is cared for by the National Trust - Glencoe

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Address: A82 - Between Fort William and Glasgow
Directions: South of Fort William, 30 minutes drive.

Train passengers will miss Glencoe - a good reason to take the bus or go on foot (West Highland Way)
Website: www.nts.org.uk
Other Contact: www.multimap.co.uk

If you have wheels - get your selves to the end of the glen for some of the most beautiful country in Scotland.

Amazing geology (yawn) has caused fantastic landscapes (yeh) and its really unspoilt.

A fantastic walk beside the river to the Steall Falls (Serious walkers check out the Ring of Steall) .

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Directions: Take the road towards the youth hostel and tourist path up The Ben (Nevis) - continue along road to its very end!!! Drive slowly.
Website: www.multimap.co.uk

A beautiful, beautiful journey ... along the route taken by the train to Malaig (see other tips) but by road you get to stop off at Glenfinnan to photograph the viaduct, to explore the beaches by Arisaig and generally soak up the atmosphere (as long as you leave the car!)

See my General Tip about the hospital!
It was on this journey I had a bad cycling accident, resulting in the ambulance driving 20+ miles from Ft William to scrape me off the road. I'll spare you the details!

Funny story - Two passers by stopped their cars and brought first aid boxes to help me, as I lay bleeding. Both boxes contained miniature whisky bottles - so be warned - Scottish first-aid may be a bit primitive!!!
(Despite 'shock' I had the sense to refuse such hospitality - makes you think of the word though ... hospital.)

Good Map

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Directions: Fort William - Malaig - Isle of Skye - A830
Website: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=210000.635645269&Y=770000.031339036&width=700&height=400&client=public&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&addr1