This 31-mile long lake stretches past the front of the Caledonian Hotel. Bring your binoculars and look out for dolphins, porpoises, golden eagles and other wildlife. Relax and watch the boats sailing past. Or pull on your wetsuit and get out in a kayak for a day of vigorous adventure.
Places to Explore
On the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. It’s often referred to as ‘the outdoor capital of the UK’, offering a wealth of opportunities for mountaineering, walking, rambling, hiking, kayaking, skiing, cycling and river rafting. Dramatic natural landscapes and wonderful Scottish hospitality combine to make this the most appealing of holiday destinations.
If you’re interested in outdoor pursuits, don’t miss the local hunting and shooting trips. Take note of the area’s shooting seasons, and you’ll soon find out when you can take part in hunting and shooting Red deer, Sika deer, Grouse, Pheasant and Partridge. Choose from a wide range of outdoor excursions and explore the Scottish terrain as you’ve never seen it before.
No trip to the Scottish highlands is complete without a taste of the local tipple: whisky. Enjoy a whisky tasting experience within easy reach of the hotel, or head to a local distillery to see how this world-famous liquor is made. Sommeliers are available to guide you through a range of different local whiskeys, so you can learn all there is to know about the different flavours and regional variations available. Sip a comforting dram in the lounge at the end of a busy day exploring, and make the most of your highlands experience.
You’ll find a wealth of information on the Visit Fort William website, with links to companies offering mountaineering, sea kayaking, rock-hopping, cycle tours, boat hire and other visitor information.
The Caledonian Hotel, Fort William is a great base from which to explore the surrounding area including:
Loch Linnhe On your doorstep
West Highland Museum 2.5 Miles
This fascinating museum is in the heart of Fort William. Known for its Jacobite and Bonnie Prince Charlie collections, it also plays host to a wealth of fascinating collections that offer a window into life in the West Highlands.
Blarmachfoldach Viewpoint 2.6 Miles
The viewpoint on the eastern slopes of Loch Linnhe offers fine views over Fort William, the top of the loch and the surrounding area.
Jacobite Steam Train 4 Miles
This railway journey is an incredible way to tour the area. It takes you on an 84-mile round trip past Ben Nevis, Loch Morar, River Morar and Loch Nevis. Both the trains and the route were used as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.
Ben Nevis 4.6 Miles
Take a hike up the tallest mountain in Britain – over 1,200 metres above sea level. Although the tourist path is well marked and no special skills or gear is needed, it’s not for the faint-hearted, as it takes around 8 hours on average to climb. A gentler and less exhausting option is to take a scenic walk around the base of the mountain where you can also enjoy a dram from the Ben Nevis distillery.
Steall Falls 10 Miles
These beautiful falls are best appreciated as part of a gentle walk. Heading to the falls, you’ll be rewarded by the stunning scenery of this beautiful Highland Glen. The lower falls are impressive following wet weather, while the higher falls offer a real display of power. With a single drop of over 100 metres, the falls are Scotland’s second highest waterfall and the views are superb.
Glencoe 14 Miles
Famous village in the steep-sided Glencoe Valley, known for waterfalls and trails (as featured in the James Bond film Skyfall), where you can visit the Glencoe Folk Museum.
Glenfinnan Viaduct 19 Miles
The famous viaduct (that features on several of the Harry Potter films) really is a stunning sight – especially when there’s a steam-train chugging across its 1 kilometre span, suspended 30 metres above the surrounding countryside.