For anyone exploring the Scottish Highlands, Fort William is an ever-popular base. Situated on the A82 road, the town boasts excellent connections to major Scottish cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. Whilst most visitors to Fort William arrive by car, the town’s train and bus connections mean you can easily visit without bringing your vehicle.
Whether arriving by coach from Glasgow or train from London, Fort William is a perfect choice for a car-free trip to the Highlands. From climbing the UK’s highest mountain to visiting ancient ruins, here are 11 fantastic things to do in Fort William without a car.
1. Climb Ben Nevis
The UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, towers above the streets of Fort William. Formed from the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano, the sheer cliffs and steep slopes of ‘The Ben’ make for a dramatic sight.
An estimated 130,000 people embark on the long pilgrimage to Ben Nevis’ windswept summit each year. Most hikers take the Mountain Path route. The trail begins at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre and ascends the south side of the mountain. Eventually, a series of relentless zig-zags up featureless scree take you to the top.
On a clear day, the views from the summit of Ben Nevis are immense. However, the climb should not be underestimated. The conditions on the mountain can change at the drop of a hat, and you should make sure you are well-prepared for the challenge before setting off.
How to climb Ben Nevis without a car: The Ben Nevis Visitor Centre is a thirty-minute walk from Fort William.
2. Take a boat trip on Loch Linnhe
Loch Linnhe is a vast sea loch that stretches the length of Fort William and beyond. The loch is home to a huge range of wildlife, from playful dolphins to the ever-popular Common and Grey Seals.
The best way to explore Loch Linnhe is by boat. If you can head out on a clear day, the views are sublime. From the quaint cabins and cottages which line the lonely western shore to the imposing bulk of Ben Nevis towering over Fort William, there is something for everyone.
A boat trip on the loch is particularly popular in the summer months. On a warm day, heading out on a sunset cruise is one of the best things to do in Fort William in the evening.
How to take a boat trip on Loch Linnhe without a car: Cruise Loch Linnhe is based in the middle of Fort William. Their trips depart from a jetty that is just a two-minute walk from the main street.
3. Visit the Corpach Shipwreck
The Corpach Shipwreck is a relatively recent addition to the tourist trail in Fort William. This former fishing boat ran aground during a powerful storm in 2011, and it has remained on the rocky shores of Loch Linnhe ever since.
Today, the wreck is a popular spot among tourists and photographers alike. It sits in a hauntingly beautiful location, resting at a jaunty angle with the full majesty of the Ben Nevis range looming over it.
How to visit the Corpach Shipwreck without a car: Visiting the rusting old boat from Fort William is relatively easy. You can take the short train journey from Fort William to Corpach. Once you arrive in Corpach, the shipwreck is just a five to ten-minute walk away.
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4. Try some whisky at the Ben Nevis Distillery
The Ben Nevis Distillery is just a stone’s throw from the town and boasts a long history. Founded in 1825, the distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland. It has been delighting locals and visitors alike with its malt whisky for nearly two hundred years.
The visitor centre is open from Monday to Friday all year. During the summer months, it is also possible to visit at the weekend. The Ben Nevis Distillery offers tours and tastings, whilst guests can also enjoy a light snack at the on-site cafe.
How to visit the Ben Nevis Distillery without a car: The distillery is located just off the A82 on the northern edges of Fort William. It is possible to walk from the centre of town – this will take just over 30 minutes. For those wanting to catch a bus, the 915, 919, N46 and N47 from Fort William all stop nearby.
5. Admire Neptune’s Staircase
Neptune’s Staircase is a marvel of engineering. Built between 1803 and 1822, this incredible series of canal locks sits just a stone’s throw from the shores of Loch Linnhe at Banavie.
It takes 90 minutes for a boat to navigate the length of the locks. From start to finish, the steps raise the level of the canal by a whopping 19 meters. On a sunny day, Neptune’s Staircase is a popular rest-point for walkers tackling the Great Glen Way, who will often stop at a canalside cafe for light refreshments.
How to get to Neptune’s Staircase without a car: The easiest way to reach Neptune’s Staircase is by train. Banavie train station is the next stop from Fort William, and the bottom of the locks are a one-minute walk from the platform.
6. Take a walk down the Great Glen Way
If you do decide to travel to Neptune’s Staircase, you will find yourself on the Great Glen Way. This epic long-distance trail begins in Fort William and stretches for 79 miles up to Inverness.
The Great Glen Way typically takes up to seven days to walk. For those who want to sample a small section, Fort William is a perfect base. The stretch from Loch Linnhe to Loch Lochy tracks alongside a picturesque river. Each leg offers fine views across classic Scottish hills and mountains.
How to walk the Great Glen Way without a car: The Great Glen Way begins in Fort William, making it a perfect car-free activity. You can follow the route through Banavie and along the River Lochy.
7. Watch a shinty match
Catching a shinty match is one of the more unusual things to do in Fort William, but it could well be a highlight of your trip.
Shinty is a classic Scottish spot played with sticks and a ball on a glass pitch. At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking you are watching a hockey match. However, as any shinty player will tell you, there are some fundamental differences – shinty is very much its own sport.
There are shinty clubs dotted around the Scottish Highlands, including Fort William. Fort William Shinty Club play their matches at An Aird, an impressive ground with a seated capacity of 400.
How to visit Fort William Shinty Club without a car: An Aird stadium is a short walk from the centre of Fort William. Check the club’s website for the latest fixtures.
8. Visit the crumbling ruins of Inverlochy Castle
No visit to the Scottish Highlands would be complete would gazing upon the ancient walls of a ruined castle. Inverlochy Castle, on Fort William’s northern fringes, is a 13th-century fortress that fits the bill perfectly.
Most of the castle dates back to the original construction in the 1200s, and it stands today as one of the most complete examples of a fortress from that period.
How to visit Inverlochy Castle without a car: Inverlochy Castle is just a short walk from the centre of Fort William. Follow the Great Glen Way past the shinty stadium, and the castle will appear on your right.
9. Look for golden eagles on the banks of the river Lochy
The waters around Fort William are home to an abundant range of wildlife. From the seals and dolphins of Loch Linnhe to the iconic stags that roam the forests, there is something for everyone.
When we were invited to stay at the Ben Nevis Holiday Park, we loved heading down to the shores of the River Lochy. As we stood on the small pebbled beach, just a one-minute walk from our accommodation, we watched the unmistakable silhouette of a golden eagle soaring silently above the trees across the water.
The Fort William area is home to both golden eagles and sea eagles, and there can be few better sights than spotting one of these majestic birds whilst exploring the Highlands.
How to get to the banks of the River Lochy without a car: The Ben Nevis Holiday Park, where we spotted the eagle, is a twenty-minute walk from Banavie train station. Alternatively, a number of buses pass close-by to the park.
10. Take a cable car up the Nevis Range
The Nevis Range Mountain Gondola ferries visitors 650m up the slopes of Aonach Mòr, the 8th highest mountain in Britain. On a clear day, a trip on the Mountain Gondola is the perfect way to experience the wonders of the Scottish hills without breaking a sweat.
The gondola operates all year (weather permitting). A return trips costs 24.95 GBP, and the journey takes up to 15 minutes each way.
How to get to the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola without a car: The 919 and N41 buses will drop you at the trailhead just off the A82. From here, it’s a 30 minute walk to the gondala station.
11. Admire the shining exhibits at the Treasures of the Earth museum
Treasures of the Earth is a family-run museum with a vast collection of crystals, gemstones and fossils. Visitors can marvel at the sparkling exhibits, which range from the largest gold nugget ever found to enormous amethyst geodes that can reach over 7 feet tall.
The museum is open every day during the Spring, Autumn and Summer months. An adult ticket costs just 6.99 GBP.
How to get to the Treasures of the Earth museum without a car: The museum sits just off the A830 at Corpach between Fort William and Mallaig. A 20-minute journey on the N46 and N47 buses from Fort William will drop you off just outside the entrance. Alternatively, Corpach train station is just a short walk away.
This is brilliant, thank you! I’ve always fancied taking the train up to Fort William, but had only done a little research as to what I could do when I was up there.