Visit Fort William in 2024

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Welcome to Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan village is 17 miles west of Fort William on the road to the Isles, and is one of the most picturesque places in Scotland.

Glenfinnan may be a tiny village, but it has become world-renowned for several things. Firstly the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie's fight for the British throne gathered momentum at Glenfinnan where he raised the Jacobite standard and rallied his clansmen for battle. It must have been an awe-inspiring sight, 1200 Highlanders gathered at the head of Loch Sheil among the steep mountains, waiting for the Prince’s arrival from Loch Nan Uamh on August 19th 1745. Glenfinnan Monuement marks this site and the memory of the clansmen who fought for the cause. It was built by Alexander MacDonald of Glenaladale in 1815. The monument is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. The Visitor Centre is open April – October and tells the whole stor

The next icon you will immediately be familiar with, is the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct which carries the railway to Glenfinnan Station. It was designed by the famous rail and road engineer, Robert McAlpine, who became known as Concrete Bob. The viaduct at Glenfinnan carries the train across a 1,000-feet span, 100 feet above the ground. Another viaduct at Loch Nan Uamh was designed and built at the same time. Fascinatingly, it holds the remains of a horse and cart which fell into the concrete structure before it set.

In the summer months, the Jacobite steam train runs from here to Fort William and Mallaig and ordinary trains are available the rest of the year. The line from Glasgow reached Fort William in 1894 but was only extended to Mallaig in 1901 and is now considered to be among the finest railway journeys in the world, offering a perspective of scenery not available by road.

And of course, the filming of the second and third Harry Potter books, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' and 'Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban' took place in September 2001 and in 2003/4 with 'Hogwarts Express' calling at Glenfinnan. Pupils from Lochaber High School were dressed in wizard robes as pupils of Hogwarts Castle, the School for Wizards.

We think Glenfinnan is a very special place. We go there ourselves on a regular basis and recommend you stop off and stay for a couple of nights.

Surrounded by towering mountains and located by the shore of picturesque Loch Shiel, there is just something very special about this place. It is well known as the location of the second Jacobite Rising in 1745. Recent Holywood production Harry Potter has created more interest in the village since the Hogworts steam logomotive came through the village on the Glenfinnan Viaduct one night....

Glenfinnan has a good visitor centre owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and we commend this to you. Walking out to the Monument by the waters edge is quite special - there's a real sense of history and real people... the weather somehow adds to the mystery and intrigue.

Each year in August, Glenfinnan Highland Games takes place beside the famous monument. This is a terrific day out and should not be missed.

Glenfinnan House Hotel is a must visit place! This amazing building has been a feature on the lochside for a long time, and the atmosphere inside is very special indeed. Almost every day in the year, the large open fire in the hallway warms and invites you to stay...

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Westcourt Bed and Breakfast
A Warm Welcome to Westcourt Bed & Breakfast. We hope that you enjoy our beautiful views overlooking Loch Linnhe, with the stunning shoreline, sea-birds, seals, otters, ducks and swans. Westcourt is a Fabulous Bed and Breakfast in Fort William and an impressive property, which commands a prime location with stunning, un-interrupted views to the Ardgour hills and over Loch Linnhe with it’s colourful array of leisure, cruise and sailing boats.  Westcourt is only a five-minute leisurely walk along the waterfront, through the beautiful Achintore gardens to the centre of Fort William, which will take you to a variety of bars restaurants and shops. The Lochaber Yacht Club is also directly across from our comfortable B&B on the Fort waterfront, with their trees illuminated with alternating pastel coloured lighting, which adds to the ambience against the water.  Westcourt is Arguably one of the most outstanding properties in Fort William, regarded as Luxury accommodation and is furnished and presented to an Extremely High Standard in all regards, to make guests stay as pleasant as possible. At Westcourt we offer a mix of bedrooms, some with Loch side and mountain range views, generous sized rooms with King-Size beds, Double, Twin or Deluxe rooms both standard and superior. All rooms are en-suite, some with both Bath or SPA and separate Shower, Twin Sinks and all Power Showers are of a high standard, Soft towels, Quality linen and Bespoke Quality toiletries are provided for Guests.   Each room has flat-screen TV with Freeview television, Full Hospitality Tray with bottled water and tea and coffee making facilities, Hair dryer, access to an iron on request, Free Wi-Fi throughout and on-site Guest Parking.           In the morning Breakfast is served in the tastefully decorated dining room that makes for a great spacious area to relax and enjoy your breakfast as you plan your day.  Breakfast is served by friendly staff with good local knowledge.                   Breakfast is available from 7.30 am – 9.00 am, or earlier on request if required.                           We offer you an individually presented breakfast in the morning – choose from light and Healthy Options, yogurts Fresh Fruit, Juices and Croissants, a range of Cereals, Continental Breakfast, a selection of Cold Meat and Cheese, Scrambled egg with Salmon, that will set you up for the day. A range of special tea and coffee selection is available, established breakfast tea or coffee with toast bread with a selection of Jams, Honey and Marmalade are served at your table.  Our breakfast are well complemented by our guest reviews that Westcourt receives.  Charles and Katarina look forward to welcoming you to Westcourt.     Bed & Breakfast from £49.00 - £69.00 per person per night - based on two people sharing one double room with king-sized bed and including breakfast ,,,,,  We are open all year.  Please use our online booking below to check availability, or if you have any special requirements, complete the enquiry form. We look forward to welcoming you to Fort William.
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Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park
Our award-winning, family friendly caravan and camping park is set in the midst of spectacular Highland scenery at the foot of mighty Ben Nevis. Ideal for cyclists and walkers, Glen Nevis offers captivating paths and tracks that wind up through forests and alongside the River Nevis. This is also the perfect base to access the Nevis Range and mountain Gondola, the Harry Potter Jacobite steam train, the Silver Sands of Morar and Arisag; or just as easily, why not relax on our park and enjoy the fresh mountain air whilst watching others scale the mountain.   We manage a peaceful park with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere and pride ourselves in the quality of our infrastructure, facilities and landscaping. Our generous tent and caravan pitches easily leave you plenty of space to find the perfect pitch before heading off to our restaurant and bar to plan the next day's activities over a mouth watering menu of delicious local food and drink. If you prefer to self cater in something more luxurious, book one of our camping pods instead or why not choose from one of our self catering holiday lodges, cottages or top branded static caravans.   Staying with us you get much more than our campsite. We also have our own Highland Estate extending to over 1,000 acres which is home to iconic Scottish wildlife such as red squirrels, pine martens and also the stags a'bellowing in the annual Autumn rut.  We also welcome keen fishermen to book a day's fishing on the River Nevis which threads a scenic course amidst the landscape.  Glen Nevis has lots of interesting walks where you trek through time, both historical from the iron age, vast geological time, and also through locations where certain famous movies have been filmed.... Glen Nevis is a beautiful natural habitat that we are excited for you to discover and share with us soon!      Visit our website (glen-nevis.co.uk) to find out more about our campsite including our SEASONAL OFFERS, and to book your pitch!
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