10 Most Adventurous Things To Do In Fort William

May 17, 2022

Fort William is the outdoor capital of the United Kingdom, which lies at the shore of Loch Linnhe. Being the second-largest settlement among the Scottish highlands, it is a place that will force you to extend your trip even with its mesmerizing natural beauty. Furthermore, there is a huge list of beautiful places to visit and things to do in Fort William.

Fort William is known for having plenty of hillwalking trails, places for mountain climbing, mountain biking and a range of watersports making it a land of paradise for adventure lovers. Fort William houses the tallest mountain in the United Kingdom named Ben Nevis, which itself is one of the most popular hiking destinations of Scotland.

Before starting your adventurous tour, take a look at these top 10 things to do in Fort William.

Top 10 Things To Do In Fort William

1. Watch The Jacobite Steam Train

This is one of the best things to do in Fort William, especially for all the Harry Potter fans. The train journey starts from the West Highland railway and passes from the 100 fort viaduct of Glenfinnan. It is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. Potter heads also call it Hogwarts Express, as shown in the Harry Potter movies which were based on the same train.

If you are willing to catch the breathtaking views of this train, just like shown in the movies, then come at least 40-45 minutes earlier in order to match the timing when it passes. The Jacobite train operated from the month of April to October, with two routes a day.

Also Read: Top 10 Amazing Places to Visit in Scottish Capital “Edinburgh”

2. Explore The Lovely High Street Of Fort William

Explore the major activity hub of Fort William, the High Street filled with plenty of visitor centers, restaurants, and activities to do. In case you are looking for the best places to stay and want some local information or upcoming events then visit the information center situated in the heart of the street.

The high street offers one of the best accommodation services in the city alongside several restaurants and some top-ranked seafood restaurants of the city. The best place to explore here is Gordon Square which is worth visiting for a day.

3. Try Some Hands-On Golf At Fort William Golf Club

Fort William is home to the finest golf clubs having 18 holes to target. Standing at the north end of the city, the Fort William Golf Club offers some of the most incredible views of the city. After you get tired from hours of playing golf, do try the delicious food or take some drink at nearby cafes.

Before planning to come, do check the official website for the upcoming events or competitions that may take place at the Golf Club while you are traveling. If you are keen to watch any of those events or want to participate then make your booking in advance to be considered for the event.

4. Get Back In Time And Examine The Ruins Of Inverlochy Castle

If you are a history buff, then do consider visiting the place where you will find the ruins of Inverlochy Castle. Though some of the parts are ruins, the 13th-century castle is still one of the well preserved of its time. As per historians and some legends, the castle was actually the residence of the Comyn family but was later left by them after Robert of the Bruce took over the Scottish throne.

Several battles took place in the castle that killed thousands of soldiers. Don’t get confused with Inverlochy Castle hotel which is a 19th-century built 5-star hotel. Do take a historical tour of the ruins of Inverlochy Castle and get insight into the history of this medieval castle and the people who lived there over the mid centuries.

5. Spend A Weekend In Scottish Wilderness

Being the land of highlands, there is an array of things to do in Fort William among which an adventurous tour of Scottish wilderness is something that you must include in your list. Get away from the luxury and busy city life of Fort William and go for some outdoor activities in the outdoor capital of the United Kingdom.

From outdoor activities, hiking, and watersports, you will find everything in the highlands that you have wished for. Either go for a climb on Ben Nevis, hike on steak falls or take the survival School and learn some creative skills like Bear Grylls.

Things To Do:

Climb Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. Don’t forget to wear perfect hiking shoes.
Go for a hike at the Steal Falls, the second-highest in Scotland. Avoid going in winters.
Learn some survival skills that will help survive anywhere you want even in the summer or winter seasons.

Also Read: Top 5 Places And Things To Do In Aberdeen, The Flower Of Scotland

6. Boat Tour Within Scottish Highlands

Fort William sits comfortably on the shores of Loche Linhe, and several boats and cruise tours are conducted on a daily basis. The boat tours from here allow you to experience something which you may get while wandering the streets. While on a boat tour, you will get to witness those views of the highlands that you may not see from anywhere else.

With help of a boat tour, you can explore both the north and south ends of Scotland. There are plenty of boat tour options to choose from, the first starts from Loch Linnhe, and the second one from Souter’s Lass.

Boat Tours:

Loach Linnhe Boat Tour – the boat tour from Loch Linnhe will start from Fort William via a passenger boat named Elsie. It will be a 2 hours tour on 65 passenger boat.
Souter’s Lass Boat Tour – a summer boat tour that is considered one of the most peaceful boat tours that will take you on some of the undiscovered islands of the city.

Things To Do:

Enjoy the spectacular scenery that surrounds the majestic mountains of Ben Nevis
Visit the Mussel Farm
Spot the variety of wildlife species such as eagles, seagulls, and sea eagles.
Explore some of the hidden islands

7. Discover The Largest Collection Of Fossil At Treasures Of The Earth

The Treasure of the Earth is home to Europe’s largest collection of fossils, gems, and crystals. It is basically a family-owned collection of some rare archaeological as well as geological artifacts from more than 2 decades. The most remarkable collection includes the saber-tooth tiger skull and amethyst crystals.

As a visitor, you are allowed to touch the amethyst geodes including some 7 feet tall geodes which are believed to be over 200 million years old. Also, check out the largest nugget in the world made up of gold and various other metals like diamonds, garnets, and sapphires.

Things To Do:

Do Have a look at the Life-size skull of T-Rex
Take back home the fossil you like from the gift shop
Explore the collection of rubies, diamonds, sapphires, and gold nuggets.

8. Spend An Evening At Black Isle Bar

After getting tired from a day-long trip, spend your evening at the Black Isle Bar where you will enjoy a variety of drinks such as organic wines, craft beers, wood-fired pizza, and even whiskies. The bar is famous for using a range of locally sourced ingredients, which is enough for you to come out of your hotel and get close and interact with the locals of Fort William.

The thing that makes it better than other Bars in the city is its dog-friendly nature where you can accompany a dog with yourself while entering the bar. If you are looking for the best place for spending the evening then this is the place you should not miss.

9. Watch Thrilling Game Of Shinty

Though golf is the most popular game in Scotland and it is home to some of the best golf courses in the European region. The country not only has golf but plenty of other sports including the traditional game of Shinty, which is much older than modern Scottish history. Don’t forget to watch the game which is quite similar to hockey.

If you are visiting in the month of September, then don’t miss out on the Camanachd Cup which is considered the greatest day in the country. Thousands of spectators attend this competition, especially during the final match, and is also telecast on major platforms such as radios and television.

Also Read: 5 Spectacular Attractions And Things To Do In St. Andrews

10. Mountain Biking In The Scottish Highlands Of Fort William

As Scotland is a country with plenty of outdoor activities and Fort William being Europe’s outdoor capital, how can you miss going for an adventure on a mountain bike. Scotland has served as one of the top destinations in the world for downhill mountain biking for 15 years. There is a vast range of trails for biking including some good quality tracks, especially in the Ben Nevis mountains.

Top Places for Mountain Biking: