Are you considering visiting Fort William without a car?
Known as the outdoor capital of the UK and sitting at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Fort William is the gateway to some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes. Thanks to its good bus and rail links, Fort Bill (as it is affectionately called) is the perfect base to explore the West Highlands by public transport, including historic Glen Coe.
Hit the ground running with my tried and tested 3-day Fort William itinerary. At the end of the article, you’ll find practical tips for planning your trip, including recommendations for places to stay and eat.
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FORT WILLIAM CAR-FREE ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 1: Glen Nevis Walk, West Highland Museum
DAY 2: Jacobite steam train to Mallaig
DAY 3: Glen Coe
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT
- Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge
- Steall Falls
- Caledonian Canal
- Ben Nevis Distillery
- Ben Nevis
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year-round
GETTING AROUND: Fort William is easily explored on foot. For adventures further afield, take a bus or train.
My Experience of Fort William
Hand on heart, Fort William is not the most attractive Scottish town I have visited. Although it has a pleasant main street, its waterfront is blighted by traffic roaring along the adjacent dual carriageway.
However, the town is surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery the Scottish Highlands has to offer. Add to that Fort William’s excellent transport links, which place other destinations, near and far, within easy reach if you are touring Scotland without a car (I spent four nights here).
The best things to do in Fort William take you beyond the town itself: walking in Glen Nevis, riding the Jacobite steam train and exploring Glen Coe were the highlights of my visit.
When to Visit Fort William
To say that Scottish weather is unpredictable is putting it mildly (no pun intended), but visit between May and October for the best chance of dry(ish) days. In midsummer, there’s also the advantage of long days.
When I visited in June, the weather was mixed but decent and the countryside was lush and in full bloom. If you want to see wildflowers at their best, May – June is the best time to visit Fort William.
Come winter, we’re talking snow season and the Nevis range is a hugely popular destination for both skiers and snowboarders. However, unless you are an experienced hillwalker, you should avoid hillwalking in winter.
Suggested 3-Day Fort William Itinerary
Day 1 (Morning): Walk in Glen Nevis
Start your first day in Fort William with a sensational walk. The 6-mile Cow Hill circular path should take you 2 – 3 hours to complete and promises unforgettable views of Fort William, Loch Linnhe, Loch Eil, the Ben Nevis range and Glen Nevis.
Although there are some steep ascents and descents this is an easy-moderate walk. Signposted paths are good throughout, although there are a few stony sections.
I wore a pair of walking shoes but you could get away with doing the walk in a decent pair of trainers. A walking pole would be useful for the descents but is not strictly necessary.
If I had to pick another Glen Nevis walk, I’d plump for the Steall Falls hike, considered one of the finest short walks in Scotland. The starting point of the walk is the Glen Nevis Car Park, seven miles southeast of Fort William. To get here by bus, take the seasonal N42 Shiels Bus service.
Day 1 (Afternoon): West Highland Museum, Fort William
Located in the heart of the town, the West Highland Museum is one of the best things to do in Fort William when it’s raining. This delightfully old-fashioned museum – I loved the typewritten information cards – traces the history of the West Highlands.
Arranged over eight rooms, the collection begins with a section dedicated to the World War II Commandos who received their famously tough training in nearby Lochaber. Other highlights include a birching table, treasures from the Spanish Armada, a collection of ancient charms, and gifts from Queen Victoria to her loyal servant John Brown.
But the main draw of the West Highland Museum is its collection relating to the Jacobite rebellion and Bonnie Prince Charlie, familiar to anyone who’s seen a few episodes of Outlander. There are pieces of the Bonnie Prince’s kilt, quasi-religious relics that include a single hair, secret portraits, snuff boxes with his image and his death mask.
Day 2: The Jacobite steam train to Mallaig
Railway journeys don’t come more iconic than that travelled by The Jacobite steam train, also known as The Harry Potter Train. This 41-mile section of the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig takes in lochs, mountains and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. Its popularity has soared due to its appearance in the Harry Potter movies.
The Jacobite is a hugely popular day trip from Fort William and you will need to book it well in advance. Make your reservation via West Coast Railways.
Day 3: Glen Coe
The final day of your Fort William itinerary is spent taking a day trip to Glen Coe. This spectacularly scenic glen is hugely popular with hikers, hillwalkers and mountaineers, and its moody beauty has secured its place as a location shoot for films including Skyfall and the Harry Potter franchise.
Glen Coe was the scene of one of the bloodiest reprisals of the Jacobite uprising, the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. Learn more about this at the Glencoe Visitor Centre.
When you’re finished at the visitor centre, follow one of the waymarked trails from Glencoe Visitor Centre or taking the easy River Coe walk that starts in Glencoe village and ends at Loch Leven next to Invercoe campsite. There’s not much to detain you in Glencoe village. However, the Glencoe Folk Museum is worth a visit if you have an hour to spare (or if it’s chucking it down with rain).
Getting to Glen Coe from Fort William without a car
There is no train station close to Glen Coe.
Glasgow-bound CityLink buses and the local Shiel Buses operate between Fort William and Glen Coe, stopping at the Glencoe crossroads (for Glencoe village). The CityLink buses also stop at the Glencoe Visitor Centre.
More Things to Do in Fort William and Beyond
Visit the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge
Visit the Commando Memorial at in Spean Bridge on a circular walk along a waymarked trail.
This starts near the Aonach Mòr Hotel in Spean Bridge and follows the River Spean to the remains of a former railway viaduct and the ruins of General Wade’s High Bridge. The path then follows a short section of Wade’s military road before cutting across moorland to the Commando Memorial.
Although there is a train station at Spean Bridge, there are only three services per day. Your best bet is to catch one of the many buses that stop at Spean Bridge (Shiels Buses or CityLink).
Stroll along the Caledonian Canal to Neptune’s Staircase
Built by the great Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, the Caledonian Canal connects Scotland’s east coast at Inverness to Coppach near Fort William on its west coast. Neptune’s Staircase, a dramatic flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal, is the longest staircase flight lock in Scotland.
Given more time, I would have completed the easy 3-mile walk that follows the canal from Fort William to Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie. This walk should take around one hour.
Down a dram at Ben Nevis Distillery
Let’s face it; no trip to Scotland is complete without visiting a whisky distillery (I highly recommend the Oban Distillery). The good news is that Fort William has a distillery, Ben Nevis Distillery, just under two miles northeast of Inverlochy Castle.
Take a gondola ride up the Nevis range
For spectacular views and clear mountain air, take a gondola ride up Aonach Mòr, Scotland’s 8th-highest mountain? To reach the gondola station by bus, take the N41 Shiels Bus service (in the direction of Roybridge). The journey should take around 25 minutes from Fort William.
Getting to Fort Willliam by Public Transport
By train
Fort William is one of the stops on the West Highland Railway from Glasgow, one of the most scenic routes in the world. The train journey from Glasgow to Fort William takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes.
On this trip to Scotland, I took the Caledonian Sleeper all the way from London Euston to Fort William. There’s something special about leaving London by night and waking up in the Scottish Highlands.
The train station at Fort William is just north of the town centre, adjacent to the main A82 road.
By bus
If you are setting out from destinations that aren’t on the West Highland Line, notably Inverness and Glen Coe, you will need to catch a bus. CityLink buses serve Fort William’s bus station, which is adjacent to the train station and next to an enormous Morrison’s supermarket.
Where to Stay
Fort William has a range of places to stay, including hotels, holiday rentals and bed and breakfasts that line the main Achintore Road (A82) south of the town centre. If you don’t have a car, check where your B&B is located; some establishments are a considerable distance from town.
I stayed at the Premier Inn Fort William. This is a solid budget choice, located next to the train and bus station ( Fort William’s accommodation can be pricey).
If this doesn’t meet your needs, consider MacLean Guest House, a highly-rated guest house. It’s in a great location, less than a 5-minute walk from the town centre and train and bus stations.
Where to Eat in Fort William
Little Fort William punches above its weight when it comes to cafes and restaurants. Here are places that I tried and loved.
- The Ben Nevis – My favourite place to eat in Fort William. A cracking combination of friendly service, great ambience and first-rate food.
- The Geographer – Opposite The Ben Nevis, The Geographer has a small but perfectly formed menu, including excellent fish and chips and their own brew, Sandals & Sausage Dogs American Pale Ale.
- The Wildcat – This guilt-free vegan restaurant has a carefully curated menu, excellent coffee – ask to try their filter coffee of the day – and super friendly staff.
- Morrison’s Supermarket Café – Located next to the train station, this serves a cheap, freshly cooked full Scottish breakfast and surprisingly good machine coffee.
Thank you for reading my guide to visiting Fort William without a car
I hope that it helps you plan a car-free Fort William holiday. If you have found this article helpful, take a look at some of my other Scotland articles:
- The Best Day Trip from Fort William to Glencoe
- Riding the Magical Harry Potter Train in Scotland
- A Perfect 3 Days in Inverness: Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- 10 Best Day Trips from Inverness Without a Car
- 15 Easy Day Trips from Edinburgh by Train or Bus
- 14 Amazing Things to Do in Oban, Scotland in Two Days
- 7 Best Things to Do in Inveraray, Scotland
- 8 Best Things to Do in Tobermory, Mull
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.