Key Places - Highlands and Islands

8 day touring

Fort William

Fort William, sits on the shores of Loch Linnhe at the northern end of the West Highland Way; Scotland's oldest and most popular long-distance walk: and the start of the Great Glen Way. Today it is best known for its proximity to Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest peak and as the highlands outdoor capital.  

Fort William is the largest highland town with a population of 10,000 (second in size only to the city of Inverness). The West Highland Museum is based here. The original settlement was built by Cromwell in 1654, a wooden structure to shelter English troops. The Fort was named after Prince William Duke of Cumberland (William of Orange) also known as the notorious Butcher of Cumberland.

The town has been used as a location in a number of films from Braveheart, to Rob Roy and Harry Potter.