Camping in Fort William

Fort William is a small town in the Scottish Highlands' western region. It’s located on the shores of Loch Linnhe, and it’s flooded with breathtaking views and stunning greenery. It’d be a crime not to explore the outdoors when camping in and around Fort William. Here are some brilliant things to do.

Ben Nevis

What’s now the highest mountain in the UK and British Isles was once an active volcano which exploded and collapsed inwards. The 1,345m high mountain is a popular attraction that welcomes over 125 thousand walkers each year. Whether you’re up for the challenge of hiking your way to the top or prefer to explore the surrounding areas, visiting Ben Nevis is definitely a must.

If you’re looking to explore the famous mountain, you can pitch up at our local Glencoe Club Site, which is only less than 30 minutes away. Also, if you love hiking, you can check out our blog on the best locations for hiking here.

Nevis Range Mountain Gondola

Get a bird’s eye view of the mountains on the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola. The mountain gondola is the only one in Britain, reaching heights of 650m, it was originally used for transporting skiers to the top of slopes, but now anyone can visit.

Neptune's Staircase

Neptune’s Staircase is a staircase lock on the Caledonian Canal, which stretches for 500m and has eight locks. Whilst visiting the canal, you can talk to the friendly lock keepers who work hard coordinating with one another to open and close the lock.

You can reach Neptune’s Staircase via bus or car from Fort William, and once you’re there, you can explore the locks by walking or cycling along the canal. If you prefer the water, you can also travel through the locks by boat, which usually takes 90 minutes.

Old Inverlochy Castle

Although only castle ruins remain, the Inverlochy Castle plays an important role in Scottish history as it’s been the backdrop for two civil wars. Whilst visiting the castle, you can walk around the ruins and explore the significance of each room.

Cruise Loch Linnhe

You can’t visit Fort William without taking a cruise on the local waters. Cruise Loch Linnhe offers multiple cruises where you can spot seals, see sunsets and relax on the beautiful waters.

Beaches in Fort William

If you’re looking for a local beach in Fort William when camping, check out Loch Linnhe Beach. The pebble beach contains great scenery and wildlife. You can spot seals, porpoises, and, if you’re lucky, dolphins. Loch Linnhe Beach is also great for watersport activities such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and boating.

If you’re after a sandy beach, you can travel 30 minutes to Silver Sands of Morar. These are a series of beautiful white sand beaches that make for the perfect day out for all the family.

Although exploring the outdoors whilst camping in Fort William is fab, there are also tons of other activities to do in the town, including,

West Highland Museum

Want to know more about the Scottish Highlands? The West Highland Museum takes you on a journey through time, covering the history of the West Highlands, the islands and Fort William.

Ben Nevis Distillery

Ben Nevis Distillery is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. They’ve been crafting malt whisky from the highest water source in Scotland for nearly 200 years.

West Coast Railways Jacobite Steam Train

Whether you’re a train fanatic or not, you don’t want to miss this 84-mile round trip journey on the West Coast Railway Jacobite Steam Train.

Highland Cinema

Whilst camping in Fort William, take some time out from exploring the town's wildlife and enjoy a good movie. The Highland Cinema is like no other as it’s a beautifully crafted, traditional building that showcases blockbuster movies using cutting-edge technology.

Alongside the popular blockbuster movies, Highland Cinema also showcases Scottish classics, Indie and arthouse films. If you’re feeling peckish, you can visit the cosy cafe located in the building and enjoy delicious food as well as a great variety of drinks. The cafe also has live music and events throughout the day, so you’ll constantly be entertained.

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