2018-19 EXPLORE Outdoor Capital of the UK FORT WILLIAM & LOCHABER An Gearasdan & Loch Abar visitscotland.com Enjoy Glencoe FIND YOUR ADVENTURE One stunning location Enjoy great activities with our friendly team in beautiful surroundings. Activities for everyone Inverness Segway, Archery, Laser Clay Shooting, Golf Course, Walking & Cycling Trails, Café, and so much more… Fort William Aberdeen find us online for more details. Glencoe visit www.GlencoeActivities.com Activities Oban or call 01855 413 204 · [email protected] Glasgow Edinburgh WELCOME TO FORT WILLIAM & LOCHABER 1 Walkers on the Bridge of Orchy, near Glencoe Contents 2 Fort William & Lochaber at a glance 4 Great outdoors 6 Amazing adventures 8 Dramatic history 10 Wonderfully wild 12 Natural larder 14 Year of Young People 2018 16 What’s on 18 Travel tips Welcome to… 20 Practical information 24 Places to visit listings 48 Display adverts FORT WILLIAM 27 Leisure activities listings 54 Display adverts & LOCHABER 31 Shopping listings Fàilte chun 61 Display adverts 32 Food & drink listings An Ghearasdan 62 Display adverts & Loch Abar 36 Tours listings 63 Display adverts Fort William is known as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ for several very 39 Transport listings exciting reasons. The area has Britain’s highest mountain, two 64 Display adverts ski resorts, a World Cup mountain bike course, the world’s 39 Events & festivals listings biggest indoor ice climbing wall and is the end of the 68 Display adverts West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way. Of course, 38 Accommodation listings you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy 68 Display adverts yourself here. We also have rare wildlife, exquisite seafood and spectacular views 76 Regional map round every corner. And 2018 is a particularly exciting time to visit, as Scotland is celebrating the Year of Young People with great events and attractions for all the family. We certainly have a past that’s packed with intrigue, achievement and exploration for you to marvel at. Cover: Sunset at Lochan na h-Achlaise on Rannoch Moor Credits: ©VisitScotland. Kenny Lam, SNH/ Lorne Gill, Paul Tomkins, Grant Paterson, SNH/Laurie Campbell, Glencoe Activities, Clachaig/Ed Daynes, SnowScotland/Steve McKenna, Juam Pablo Fuentes /Dollar Photo Club, Darren Pullman/Adobe Stock 18HFW Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Scottish Provincial Press (SPP). Disclaimer APS / VS / SPP have produced and published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted by the proprietors/managers of the businesses listed who have paid for and approved their entries to be included. Although APS / VS / SPP have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / SPP recommends that all information is checked with the proprietor/ manager of the business prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other aspects of the business are satisfactory. APS / VS / SPP accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / SPP also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at January 2018. 2 FORT WILLIAM & LOCHABER FORT WILLIAM & LOCHABER AT A GLANCE An Gearasdan & Loch Abar aig aon sealladh From deserted golden beaches to the peak of the UK’s highest mountain, Fort William & Lochaber is packed with dramatic scenery and must-see attractions that will take you off the beaten track. Get ready for thrilling adventures, cuisine to make your mouth water and living history around every corner. The Great Glen climb to the top of the tower, you – and the reality is even better. If you have a week to spare, why can enjoy the outlook from the It twists like a ribbon from the not tackle the 73-mile Great Glen viewing platform by the original base of Ben Nevis in Fort William Way? This grand long distance air-powered fog horn, which is a out through woods, glens and route runs from Fort William to well-established whale and dolphin moorland to the pristine white Inverness, or you could just stroll watching area. sands of Arisaig and Morar. There along one section in a day. You are sublime views to the islands could have your best chance of The Road to the Isles and finally the bustling port of spotting the Loch Ness Monster... Even the name ‘Road to the Isles’ Mallaig. sounds poetic and adventurous Ardnamurchan A worthy trip to enjoy the peace and spectacular scenery – you’ll be one of very few people exploring 50 unspoilt square miles of moorland, forests, lochs and beaches. Was that a golden eagle? Probably. Hop aboard a boat at Acharacle for a cruise along stunning Loch Shiel. At the most westerly point on the British mainland, Ardnamurchan Lighthouse has been guiding ships safely through the waters off Scotland’s west coast since 1849. If you don’t have the energy to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse VISITSCOTLAND.COM FORT WILLIAM & LOCHABER AT A GLANCE 3 Learn the language... You may hear Scottish Gaelic being spoken when you are here, and see it on signs. Gaelic (pronounced ‘gallick’) is a Celtic language native to Scotland – so why not pick up a phrase book and have fun joining in? The following Gaelic phrases will get you started: Madainn mhath – Pronounced: madeeng vah Good morning Feasgar math – Pronounced: fesker mah Lochan-na-h-Achlaise, Rannoch Moor Good afternoon/evening Is mise (Eilidh) – Many people catch a ferry from The rain that falls on Ben Nevis is Pronounced: Is meesha… Mallaig to the Isle of Skye, which of very lucky – some of it is turned I am/My name is (Eilidh) course is a wonderful destination. into fine whisky at the Ben Nevis Ciamar a tha thu? – If you fancy a quieter island Distillery. Pop in for a tour and a Pronounced: keemar a ha oo? adventure hop on the ferry to the dram. How are you? nearby Small Isles of Muck, Rum, Did you know that shinty is one of Eigg and Canna. Tha mi dol a (Alba) – the world’s oldest team sports? You Pronounced: ha me doll a… Rum is the biggest of the Small Isles can watch a local match on most I am going to (Scotland) but only has around 30 inhabitants. summer weekends. You can do a glorious ridge walk on Tapadh leat – Ben Nevis isn’t the only big the Rum Cuillin range. Pack your Pronounced: tap-ah lat mountain in the area – there are boots! Thank you 67 Munros (hills over 3,000 ft) in The Isle of Eigg is simply delightful. Fort William & Lochaber. Slàinte mhath – As you walk along its ‘singing Pronounced: slan-tche vah sands’, look up to the cliffs above Glen Coe & Loch Leven Good health/Cheers Cleadale for golden eagles. Glen Coe is stop-you-in-your- tracks beautiful. A walk up to the Fort William & Glen Nevis spectacular Lost Valley is within Fort William nestles at the foot of the abilities of most visitors. Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Most people zoom past the end of Nevis. The town marks the end of Loch Leven, but this beautiful sea Did you the West Highland Way, Scotland’s loch is well worth exploring. Walk oldest and most popular long know? along the shore at dusk and you distance walk. Loch Morar is the may spot otters. At Kinlochleven, deepest body of water Just round the corner from the Vertical Descents provide the first in the UK, with a town is the picturesque glen of Glen Via Ferrata experience, Scotland’s depth of 1,017 ft. Nevis. You can be there in minutes, high-altitude climbing experience; looking up at the stunning ridges of and the Ice Factor, has the highest the Mamores. ice climbing arena in the world. VISITSCOTLAND.COM 4 FORT WILLIAM & LOCHABER Great OUTDOORS A Bhuaile a-muigh West Highland Way passing Buachaille Etive Mor in Glen Coe If you like the tang of a sea breeze in your nostrils, the feel of rough rock under your fingers and the calmness that only natural beauty brings, you are going to absolutely love it here. The outdoors doesn’t get much Nevis race in September, a famous Soothe your spirits walking the trails greater. Here you can climb the up-and-down challenge. around Glencoe Lochan. Then, when highest mountains, go fossil-hunting you need a buzz, try kayaking or Most walkers climb Ben Nevis by the on empty beaches and roam with sailing at nearby Loch Leven. ‘tourist path’, from which you’ll get the deer over wild moorlands. fantastic views. Knoydart is one of the wildest Head to Lochaline Dive Centre for and far flung parts of Britain. It Enjoy a more relaxing getaway and some of the best wreck dives in the has mountains, lochs, woods and explore the wilderness, cultural UK, witness basking sharks up close, beaches. There you can walk, fish, spaces, and nature without the experience boat trips in the Sound kayak and sail and hardly see a soul. popular adrenaline rush. Make your of Mull, as well as scenic walking way around the Ardnamurchan You simply have to visit Glen Coe. and cycling around Morven. Or try Peninsula tasting the delicious From peaceful walks along the glen out canoeing on Loch Sunart where local and seasonal produce, floor to the most exhilarating ridge you might spot seals, or a sea eagle pedal through some of the most scramble in the country, you will soaring above you.