If you’ve ever looked into hiking Ben Nevis, odds are you have come across Fort William. Known as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, the town has become more of a base for keen explorers and lovers of the outdoors. The nearby area is filled with rich history and some of the best landscapes in the UK. 48 hours in Fort William gives you just enough time to experience the charm of this remote place.
Here is my quick guide to help you get started. Enjoy!
48 Hours in Fort William | Your Quick Guide
Getting to Fort William
There are two main ways of getting to Fort William. When we visit, we usually take the train from Glasgow Queen Street. The train is an older-style one and you cannot book seats in advance. It is also usually packed! However, the business and (arguably) chaotic nature of the train is well-worth it for the incredible views along the way.
Driving is another possibility. It is a long drive from Glasgow (127 miles over 3 hours) along the A81, which does see some of the scenery but not as much as the train. However, given the remoteness of Fort William it does mean that you have a few more options. We sometimes struggle with waiting about for buses and trains when we have taken public transport.
Accommodation Options
Given the popularity of hiking around the Highlands, there are lots of different accommodation options. We have stayed in a few hotels and BnBs in the past and, whilst some of them have been budget, they were great bases for a night or two.
One thing to note is that Fort William is pretty expensive. In fact, during peak seasons, pretty box-standard hotels charge around £400 a night. With that in mind, I’ve included one budget option (2.1 miles from the centre, which is the expensive part) alongside a comparable ‘mid-range’ option which is central, but needs a bit of TLC.
Here are some of my recommendations:
| Traveller Type | Accommodation Option |
| Budget Traveller | Croit Anna Hotel |
| Mid-Range | Alexandra Hotel |
| 4 Stars | Glengyle Guest House |
Day 1: Explore the Town and Scenic Surroundings
Morning: Stroll Through Fort William and Loch Linnhe 🌅
After arriving in Fort William, you probably won’t have long before lunch unless you leave very early.
I’d suggest a stroll through the town to see what there is and maybe buy some souvenirs. I should say, there really isn’t a lot here. There are some very touristy shops and there are a few places to have some lunch (we had pizza at the Imperial Hotel, which was actually very good). Overall though, it shouldn’t take you longer than an hour to explore the main part of the town.
If you fancy stretching your legs, you can walk along Loch Linnhe. The town is nestled right on its shores and the views around it are spectacular.
Afternoon: Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct 🚂
After lunch, and possibly checking-in, head to Glenfinnan. This is the scene of the famous Harry Potter viaduct and, yes, you can easily go over it!
Regular regional trains from Fort William run to Glenfinnan and, along the way, you’ll actually go over the viaduct. For the best views, sit on the left-hand side of the train (looking at the front). Once you arrive at the train station, it is a short walk to the viaduct site and it is well-signposted. When you’re there you can take your time exploring the area and, if you’re lucky, you can even see the famous steam train cross it. If you are travelling in the summer months, make sure you bring midge repellent!
Once you see the train cross, you can then head down to the Glenfinnan Monument on the banks of the Loch. It commemorates the Jacobite Rising and has to be one of the most scenic places around.
Top Tip: Check the steam train times before, but historically it crosses at 10:45 and 15:00.
Evening: Relax in the Town
After a busy day exploring, head back out to town and head to the town of Fort William. If you are a keen backpacker or hiker, you’ll likely find similar-minded people here quickly. The Ben Nevis Bar is a great option, as is the Black Isle Bar.
Day 2: More Adventures
For your second day of your 48 hours in Fort William, I’ve included two options depending on how adventurous you feel. The obvious one is Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. This option is probably not for everyone, so I’ve also included Glen Coe, which is equally as beautiful but not as challenging.
Option 1: Discover the History of Glencoe 🏞️
We loved our visit to Glencoe and thought that the landscape represented the best of Scotland. It is a short drive from Fort William and a car means that you can head straight to the Visitor Centre. If you are taking public transport, there is a bus that regularly runs from Fort William to Glencoe (Number 44 towards Kinlochleven). This will place you in the centre of the town and it is about a 30 minute walk up the main road towards the Visitor Centre. Here you’ll find some great views of the glen and walkways. There is also the turf and creel house which shows you what life was like for clans centuries ago.
For lunch, the Visitor Centre has a nice café with a good selection of food. The town itself has a good selection of pubs too, which is perfect for a pint of Tennant’s after exploring.
Option 2: Ben Nevis Mountain Walk 🏞️
A hike up to the summit of Ben Nevis is on the bucket list of many travellers to Fort William. It is certainly not for everyone and the Ben Nevis Mountain Path up is quite demanding, but relatively accessible. It is best done early in the morning during the summer, on the hope that the fog is not too thick and the temperature is still cool. If it is clear, you’ll be treated to some of the best views in Scotland and sense of massive achievement.
Evening: Relax in Fort William 🍽️
After walking for most of the day, I would suggest retreating back to Fort William and relaxing. There are plenty of nice restaurants in the town. We really liked The Geographer, especially for the laid-back vibe in there. The food was pretty good, too!
Final Thoughts | 48 Hours in Fort William
48 hours in Fort William gives you enough time to see the majority of the sites, but to include it all you’ll probably need an extra day. What I would say though is shop around for accommodation as the prices up here are verging on ridiculous, especially with the level of accommodation you get for your money. Having said that, the surrounding area more than makes up for it and it has to be one of the prettiest places in the UK.
I hope that you found my quick guide to 48 hours in Fort William useful and, if you have any questions, just let me know.
