see & do in lochaber

On this page you will find brief details of some of the places you can visit. Fort William is not all about climbing Ben Nevis or outdoor sporting activities. There are activities for all ages and abilities and all weather conditions.

Here are some of them and check our "Links" section to other businesses that can help you:

• Private tours of a distinctive culture - Travelling as a small group, family or even as an individual, enjoy the nature, scenery, history and folklore of Scotland with Iain Stewart on a private tour: www.serenityscotland.co.uk
• Touring by car / motorcycle – this is the way to see many of the sights and experience the vastness of the area. We have put together suggested sight seeing tours for you to help get the best from your time here.
• The Jacobite Steam Train – known the world over the West Highland Line has recently been voted one of the best rail journeys in the world. It is also known for it's use in the Harry Potter movies. Take the trip from Fort William to Mallaig, you get a couple of hours in Mallaig for a walk and snack before returning. You can also do the same trip on the normal "sprinter train", but without the nostalgia.
• Walking – easy or difficult walks, hikes too numerous to list here are available in Lochaber, from going up Ben Nevis to a gentle lochside walk. There are plenty of Munros round here to "bag" as well.
• Mountain bike riding – the UCI World stages and championships are held here, the area being renowned for its diverse cross country tracks and also downhill tracks to take you down Aonach Mor in minutes, and don't worry you don't have to cycle up, the gondolas have bike carriers on them.
• Fishing – sea and fresh water (trout and salmon). Here in Torlundy there is a trout fishery and another a few more miles down the road. In season mackerel are to be caught in Loch Linnhe near Fort William.
• Diving – the West Coast of Scotland offers some of the best diving, the sea lochs can be sheltered and are teaming with marine life from fish to corals. If you have your own equipment tanks can be filled here in Fort William or down at Oban, and organised dive trips are available at Oban.
• Horse riding – we have it here at Torlundy and another place near Oban
• Climbing for the less able – take the enclosed Gondola up Aonach Mor, enjoy short walks to view points and refreshments in the Mountain Cafe along with spectacular views.
• Climbing for the experienced from rock to ice climbing. There are plenty of guides and instructors for those who need their assistance.
• Wildlife watching – more than you can "shake a stick at", eagles, ospreys, raptors, pine martens, otters, seals. Go out and find it yourself or book yourself on an organised tour or "safari".
• Adventure activities are available to book including quad bike riding, 4x4 driving, kayaking, canoeing, canyoning are among the long list of activities available for those seeking something different.
• Winter Sports – in season skiing, snow boarding, ski bikes and tobogganing are available at the Nevis Range which has slopes to cater for all skill levels.

Fort William and the surrounding area is officially designated "The Outdoor Capital of the UK" with good reason, it is the Outdoor Capital of the UK!

 

the area

Torlundy is a small rural community situated 3 miles north of Fort William town centre on the main A82 road to Inverness. Most of the houses are situated on side roads away from the main road. All facilities such as restaurants and shops are situated in Fort William and the Greater Fort William villages of Caol, Banavie and Corpach. There is a regular local bus service to and from Fort William, the Nevis Range and Spean Bridge, however to get the very best from your stay at Torlundy House you really do need your own transport. Taxis are more than happy to come to Torlundy but the fare is about £7.00 each way. Torlundy is also on the cycle route between the Nevis Range and Fort William. Please consider this when making a reservation if you do not have your own transport.

Nevis Range

Fort William itself is situated at the south westerly end of the Great Glen, Inverness some 60 miles by road, is at the north eastern end. The West Highland Way ends in Fort William and the Great Glen Way starts there as well. The town is also the start of the Road to the Isles. This is the A830 to Mallaig, taking in some of the most spectacular scenery not to be missed by any visitor. If you need more to do than taking in the majestic mountain scenery then here is a short list of sights and attractions to see in the area:

Glenfinnan

Monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie – situated at the head of Loch Sheil, you will find a view point and visitor centre. Also see the Glenfinnan viaduct, and catch the "Harry Potter" train crossing it.

Glen Nevis | take a drive up the glen and then walk up Nevis Gorge to the Steall Falls.

Ben Nevis Distillery visit website | a tour of the distillery and a dram at the end will introduce you to the local whisky.

Nevis Range visit website| take the gondola up the mountain and sample the views over a snack in the mountain cafe.

Neptunes Staircase | a series of locks on the Caledonian Canal where boats of all sizes leave the sea and enter the canal to sail up to Inverness.

Fort William Museum visit website | learn the history of Highland Life.

Treasures of the Earth visit website | for those interested in the geology of the area, see local rocks and geodes. Our area now sits in the recently designated Lochaber Geopark and is a haven for geologists.

Seal Island Cruise visit website | sail down Loch Linnhe on the "Souters Lass" to see the local seal colony.

Loch Sheil Cruises visit website | on the loch at Glenfinnan, they specialise is relaxing cruises down the loch to Acharacle and back and also wild life spotting cruises.

Glencoe visit website | with its scenery and superb National Trust for Scotland visitor centre you will learn about the infamous Glencoe Massacre.

further afield, but all perfectly accessible for the day are:

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula | dramatic remote scenery, crofting settlements and a lighthouse museum at Ardnamurchan Point where you can also watch for whales.

Urquhart Castle | near Drumnadrochit, a famous castle ruin on the shores of Lochness

Fort Augustus | a busy village and a set of locks to lower boats on the Caledonian Canal down onto Loch Ness. Trips on Loch Ness available.

Eilean Donan Castle | the most romantic castle in Scotland, usually open from Easter to October.

The Isle of Skye | many of our guests travel by car to Mallaig, take the ferry to Skye for a day sightseeing at Dunvegan Castle and Portree. They then return via the Skye Bridge to the mainland and drive back the Torlundy House. A long day, but very rewarding.

Oban | the gateway to the isle. Ferries leave here for Mull and some of the western Isle. It is a busy town, quite different from Fort William.

Mallaig Harbour The Western Isle of Rum and Eigg | Caledonian MacBrayne run day tours and cruises to the islands from Mallaig. You start by bus from Fort William or drive yourself to Mallaig.

Monarch of the Glen country | where the TV series of the same name was filmed, see Glen Bogle across Loch Laggan and other places used for filming.

Highland Wildlife Park | owned by Edinburgh Zoo, they are moving animals here into large enclosures, well worth a visit. It is situated near Aviemore.

The Seal Rescue Centre | enroute to Oban. See seals and other marine life.

Inverness | a very cosmopolitan city, sophisticated and traditional shopping, wonderful walks by the River Ness with suspension footbridges.

Culloden Battlefield | a new visitor centre makes this a must if you are going to Inverness. There is also nearby Cawdor Castle.

There are too many places to list here, we can help you plan your time so that you get the best from your stay. This is why we say that one night at Torlundy House is not enough.

... and some useful links

West Coast Mountain Guides – if you need help on a difficult walk or climb – www.westcoast-mountainguides.co.uk

Weather Information – good forecasts for the mountains – www.mwis.org.uk

Walk Highlands – the most comprehensive website for walkers of all abilities in the Highlands – www.walkhighlands.co.uk

Outdoor Capital of the UK – information, "What's on Guides", what to do and where to do it – www.outdoorcapital.co.uk

Highland Activities – quad bikes, 4x4 driving, kayaking, rafting, clay shooting, archery and much more – www.highlandactivities.co.uk

Glen Spean and Great Glen Tourism Group – local information and history provided by dedicated tourism businesses – www.highland-glens.co.uk

Bienvenue en Écosse - Un guide complet pour les attractions, les activités, les principaux événements, gastronomie etc. – www.bienvenueenecosse.com

Willkommen in Schottland - Eine umfassende Anleitung zur Attraktionen, Aktivitäten, principal Veranstaltungen, Essen usw. – www.willkommeninschottland.com 

Fort William Accommodation Marketing Group - a group of accommodation providers who seek to provide guests with a unique B&B experience, and help you to find your accommodation. – www.fortwilliam-guesthouse.com