Fort William is now the largest town in the Highlands of Scotland (Inverness is a city). Fort William is an amazingly popular tourist center with numerous folk arriving to climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain. In the article that follows I discuss a few alternative visitor attractions worth visiting if you are spending some time in Fort William.

The Thought Invoking West Highland Museum

Founded in 1922 was the West Highland Museum in Fort William. A group of people from Lochaber wanted to create a museum, about life in the Highlands, for the people of the Highlands. The current building was purchased in 1926 from the British Linen Bank, and can be found in Cameron Square, just off the Hight Street. Fascinating and small is how some people describe the museum. The exhibits of the museum present a fascinating insight into the way of life in the West Highlands throughout the years. People from all walks of life are represented, through the fascinating collections of photograph’s, artefact’s and picture’s

The Imposing Old Inverlochy Castle

There are two Inverlochy Castle’s in Fort William, the Old Inverlochy Castle and the more recent Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle, built in the village of Torlundy (which is now a luxury hotel). The Old castle was said to of been built around 1270-1280, by John “the Black” Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. Although the castle is in ruins, the layout hasn’t changed very much since it was first built. Lord Abinger made alterations and enhancements to the house, in preparation of a visit by Queen Victoria. Old Inverlochy Castle remains an important part of English and Scottish history, because of the part it played during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s.

The Delightful Jacobite Steam Train

An excursion on the Jacobite Steam Train, is an exciting way to experience the magnificent scenery of the Highlands. The Fort William to the port of Mallaig trip takes one on a magical tour through the glens. One of the most sensational parts of the tour is traveling over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which most people will recognize because of the fact that it appears in the movies of the exploits of Harry Potter. The 84 mile excursion takes you past Loch Morar, Ben Nevis and Loch Nevis, with a stop in Glenfinnan before reaching Mallaig. There is about an hour and half in which to discover Mallaig, before the return journey, back to Fort William. This journey has repeatedly been declared, one of the Great Railway Journeys of the planet.

There is plenty of hotel accommodation in Fort William available to book online but you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Fort William at http://www.fortwilliamhotelscotland.com/