Photo of Glenfinnan Viaduct, a landmark in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glenfinnan ViaductPhoto Tim Woolliscroft / Unsplash

Places to explore near Fort William

Fort William spreads along the shore of Loch Linnhe beneath the bulk of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, and calls itself the outdoor capital of the UK with some justice. Behind it, Glen Nevis cuts in past the plunging Steall Falls, and the ski ground of Aonach Mor rises to the north. The road south drops into the dark grandeur of Glencoe, while the Caledonian Canal and the Great Glen Way set off north-east along the fault line towards Inverness.

92 places within 25 km — the standouts first, nearest first within each group. 6 are national icons.

Open the map here

Worth the tripnational icons and local highlights within reach

Photo of Jacobite Steam Train, a visitor attraction near Fort William, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Jacobite Steam Train

Attraction near Fort William

Seasonal steam service between Fort William and Mallaig over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, filmed as the Hogwarts Express.

0.2 km N

Photo of West Highland Museum, a visitor attraction near Fort William, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

West Highland Museum

Attraction near Fort William

Fort William town-centre museum of Highland and Jacobite history, home to the famous 'secret portrait' of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

0.4 km W

Photo of Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, a National Scenic Area in Scotland.

Ben Nevis and Glen Coe

National Scenic Area near Kinlochleven

Scotland's most dramatic glen.

0.8 km SE

Photo of Nevis Range Gondola, a visitor attraction near Caol, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Nevis Range Gondola

Attraction near Caol

Mountain gondola at Torlundy rising up Aonach Mòr to a high cafe, ski slopes and downhill bike tracks.

2.3 km NE

Photo of Neptune's Staircase, a landmark near Banavie, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Neptune's Staircase

Landmark near Banavie

Thomas Telford's eight-lock staircase on the Caledonian Canal at Banavie, the longest in Britain.

3 km N

Photo: Ben Nevis, a 1,345m Munro near Fort William in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Ben Nevis

Munro · Marilyn near Fort William

The highest mountain in the British Isles.

6.6 km E

Photo: Carn Mor Dearg, a 1,221m Munro near Fort William in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Carn Mor Dearg

Munro · Marilyn near Fort William

A rocky Munro next to Ben Nevis, linked to it by the fine curving ridge known as the CMD Arête

7.4 km E

Photo: Aonach Mor, a 1,220m Munro near Fort William in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Aonach Mor

Munro near Fort William

A broad-shouldered Munro next to Ben Nevis, best known for the ski area and mountain gondola on its northern slopes

8.7 km E

Photo of Steall Falls, a waterfall near Kinlochleven in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Steall Falls

Waterfall near Kinlochleven

An Steall Bàn, 'the white spout' — a 120-metre ribbon at the head of the Nevis gorge, among the highest falls in Britain and the easiest of them to reach.

9.4 km SE

Photo: Aonach Beag, a 1,234m Munro near Fort William in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Aonach Beag

Munro · Marilyn near Fort William

One of the highest mountains in Scotland, a steep, remote top just east of Ben Nevis and usually paired with its neighbour Aonach Mòr

9.4 km E

Photo: Binnein Mor, a 1,129m Munro near Kinlochleven in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Binnein Mor

Munro · Marilyn near Kinlochleven

The highest of the Mamores, a sharp quartzite peak between Glen Nevis and Kinlochleven with a narrow, rocky summit ridge

13.1 km SE

Photo of Commando Memorial, a landmark near Spean Bridge, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Commando Memorial

Landmark near Spean Bridge

Bronze memorial to the WWII Commandos on a rise near Spean Bridge with a panorama to Ben Nevis and the Nevis range.

13.1 km NE

Photo: Stob Coire an Laoigh, a 1,117m Munro near Spean Bridge in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Stob Coire an Laoigh

Munro near Spean Bridge

One of the Grey Corries, the pale quartzite ridge east of the Aonachs, usually taken as part of a long high-level traverse

13.4 km E

Photo of Corran Ferry, a visitor attraction near Ardgour, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Corran Ferry

Attraction near Ardgour

Short car ferry across the Corran Narrows of Loch Linnhe, the main gateway to Ardgour, Morvern and Ardnamurchan.

13.7 km SW

Photo of Glencoe Lochan, a loch in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glencoe Lochan

Loch near Glencoe

Small ornamental loch amid pines above Glencoe village with easy walking trails and glen views.

14.4 km S

Photo of Glencoe Folk Museum, a visitor attraction in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glencoe Folk Museum

Attraction near Glencoe

Museum of Highland life in thatched cottages in Glencoe village, with Jacobite and crofting collections.

15.1 km S

Photo: Stob Choire Claurigh, a 1,178m Munro near Roy Bridge in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Stob Choire Claurigh

Munro · Marilyn near Roy Bridge

The highest of the Grey Corries, a pale quartzite ridge east of Ben Nevis above Roy Bridge

15.5 km E

Photo of Ballachulish Slate Quarries, a landmark in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Ballachulish Slate Quarries

Landmark near Ballachulish

Landscaped former slate quarries at Ballachulish that roofed much of Scotland, now with interpretive walks.

15.9 km S

Photo of Glencoe Visitor Centre, a visitor attraction in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glencoe Visitor Centre

Attraction near Glencoe

National Trust for Scotland centre interpreting the geology, wildlife and 1692 massacre of Glen Coe.

16.6 km S

Photo of Clachaig Inn, a pub near Glencoe in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Clachaig Inn

Pub near Glencoe

Historic 300-year-old inn in the heart of Glen Coe, a walkers' and climbers' institution with a huge whisky range.

17.4 km S

Photo: Three Sisters of Glencoe Viewpoint, a viewpoint near Kinlochleven, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Three Sisters of Glencoe Viewpoint

Viewpoint near Kinlochleven

Roadside viewpoint in Glen Coe facing the three great buttresses of Bidean nam Bian.

18.3 km SE

Photo of Loch Shiel, a National Scenic Area in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Loch Shiel

National Scenic Area near Glenfinnan

A long remote loch running down from Glenfinnan into wild country, with steep quiet hills rising straight from the water

19.7 km W

Photo: Bidean nam Bian, a 1,149m Munro near Glencoe in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Bidean nam Bian

Munro · Marilyn near Glencoe

The highest peak above Glen Coe, a complex knot of ridges and corries hidden behind the Three Sisters

20.1 km S

Photo: Stob Coire Easain, a 1,115m Munro near Roy Bridge in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Stob Coire Easain

Munro · Marilyn near Roy Bridge

A steep-sided Munro above Loch Treig, almost always climbed together with its near twin, Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin

20.2 km E

Photo of Glenfinnan Viaduct, a landmark in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Landmark near Glenfinnan

McAlpine's 21-arch concrete curve of 1901 above Loch Shiel, now timed to the minute by Harry Potter fans waiting on the Jacobite steam train.

20.9 km W

Photo: Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin, a 1,105m Munro near Roy Bridge, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin

Munro near Roy Bridge

A remote Munro above Loch Treig, almost always climbed together with its taller twin Stob Coire Easain

21 km E

Photo of Glenfinnan, a village in Loch Shiel, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glenfinnan

Village at the head of Loch Shiel, famed for its Jacobite monument and the arched Glenfinnan Viaduct.

21.5 km W · Highland

Photo of Glenfinnan Station Museum, a visitor attraction in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glenfinnan Station Museum

Attraction near Glenfinnan

Small railway museum in the former booking office and signalbox at Glenfinnan on the West Highland Line.

21.8 km W

Photo: Buachaille Etive Mòr (Stob Dearg), a 1,021m Munro near Kinlochleven, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Buachaille Etive Mòr (Stob Dearg)

Munro · Marilyn near Kinlochleven

Pyramid peak guarding Glen Coe's entrance.

22.9 km SE

Photo: Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, a viewpoint near Roy Bridge, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Parallel Roads of Glen Roy

Viewpoint near Roy Bridge

Viewpoint over the shoreline 'roads' left by an ice-age lake terracing the slopes of Glen Roy.

24.1 km NE

Photo: Glen Etive, a viewpoint near Glencoe in Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Glen Etive

Viewpoint near Glencoe

The single-track road that turns off Glen Coe and runs twelve dead-end miles to the head of a sea loch — Skyfall borrowed it; the deer never left.

25 km S

Also nearbygood places nearby, nearest first

Photo along the West Highland Way, a long-distance trail running from Milngavie to Fort William, Scotland.

West Highland Way

Scotland's Great Trail

Scotland's classic walk — from the edge of Glasgow along Loch Lomond and over Rannoch Moor to the foot of Ben Nevis.

0.1 km N · spans 4 counties

Photo of Fort William, a village in Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Fort William

The largest town in the West Highlands, gateway to Ben Nevis and hub of the Lochaber region on Loch Linnhe.

0.1 km N · Highland

Photo of Nevisport Bar, a pub near Fort William, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Nevisport Bar

Pub near Fort William

Long-running mountaineers' bar beneath the Nevisport shop in Fort William.

0.2 km NW

Photo along the Great Glen Way, a long-distance trail running from Fort William to Inverness, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Great Glen Way

Scotland's Great Trail

Along the great fault line from Fort William to Inverness, tracing the Caledonian Canal and the shore of Loch Ness.

0.3 km NW · Highland

Crannog Seafood (Fort William)

Farm & farm shop near Fort William

Fort William seafood business landing and selling langoustine, mussels and west-coast shellfish on Loch Linnhe.

0.6 km W

Photo of Inverlochy Castle, a ruined castle near Caol, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Inverlochy Castle

Castle near Caol

A medieval castle in Highland.

2 km NE

Photo along the Great Glen Canoe Trail, a long-distance trail running from Fort William to Inverness, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Great Glen Canoe Trail

Scotland's Great Trail

Sixty miles by canoe or kayak coast to coast through the Great Glen, from Fort William to Inverness by loch and canal

2.4 km N · Highland

Photo of the Caledonian Canal, a 60-mile canal running from Fort William to Inverness, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Caledonian Canal

Telford's Great Glen waterway from Fort William to Inverness — a third canal, two-thirds loch, climbing Neptune's Staircase beneath Ben Nevis.

2.4 km N · Highland

Photo of Ben Nevis Distillery, a distillery near Fort William, Highland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Ben Nevis Distillery

Distillery near Fort William

Working malt whisky distillery at the foot of Ben Nevis in Fort William, with a visitor centre and cafe since 1991.

2.6 km NE

Everything else within 25 km (52) — reserves, earthworks & places to check before travelling

The Moorings HotelPub3.1 km N
Lochaber Farm ShopFarm & farm shop6.8 km NE
Mullach nan CoireanMunro7.9 km S
Druim Fada (Highland, 743m)Graham8.6 km N
Stob Coire a' ChearcaillCorbett9 km W
Sgurr a' MhaimMunro9.3 km SE
Stob Ban (Highland)Munro9.5 km SE
An GearanachMunro10.8 km SE
Stob Coire a' ChairnMunro11.2 km SE
Am BodachMunro11.3 km SE
Mam na GualainnCorbett11.5 km S
Beinn Bhan (Highland)Corbett12.2 km N
Sgurr Choinnich MorMunro12.4 km E
Binnein BeagMunro13.1 km SE
Na GruagaicheanMunro13.1 km SE
Meall a' PhubuillCorbett13.7 km NW
Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall, KinlochlevenWaterfall14.1 km SE
St Paul's Episcopal Church, KinlochlevenChurch14.3 km SE
The Tailrace InnPub14.4 km SE
Pap of GlencoeGraham14.7 km S
Sgurr Eilde MorMunro14.9 km SE
The Study (Glen Coe Viewpoint)Viewpoint15.1 km S
GlencoeVillage15.1 km S
Druim na SgriodainGraham15.2 km SW
Garbh Bheinn (Highland, 867m)Corbett15.3 km SE
GlencoeNational Nature Reserve15.5 km S
Aonach Eagach - Sgorr nam FiannaidhMunro16.1 km S
Stob Ban (Highland, 977m)Munro16.1 km E
Mullach Coire nan Geur-oireanGraham16.3 km NW
Aonach Eagach - Meall DeargMunro16.6 km S
GulvainMunro17 km NW
The Ben Nevis BarPub0.5 km SW
The Grog & GruelPub0.5 km SW
Battle of Inverlochy IBattlefield1.3 km NE
Battle of Inverlochy IIBattlefield1.9 km NE
Ben Nevis InnPub2.2 km SE
CorpachVillage2.8 km N
Druim na h-EarbaMarilyn3.1 km SW
Bidean Bad na h-IolaireMarilyn3.3 km S
Meall an t-SlamainMarilyn3.5 km W
Tor CastleCastle5.2 km NE
Beinn na GucaigGraham9.7 km SW
Doire BanMarilyn9.8 km S
Tom MeadhoinGraham12 km S
Meall OnfhaidhGraham13.8 km NW
Aodann ChleireigGraham14 km NW
KinlochlevenVillage14.5 km SE
Druim Leathad nam FiasMarilyn15.4 km W
Woodlands Wilderness SaunaSauna15.5 km S
AchnacarryVillage15.6 km NE
BallachulishVillage16.1 km S
Glas Bheinn (Highland, 635m)Graham16.7 km W

Ordered by how far each place is worth travelling for, then by distance. Distances are straight-line to the nearest edge of each place — paths wind, of course.