Plan a trip to Fort William

A major tourist center, Fort William is one of the largest towns in Scotland's Highlands. Glen Coe is just to the south, Aonach Mor to the east and Glenfinnan to the west, on the Road to the Isles. Fort William, as its name suggests, was an army fort built by the English forces on the banks of Loch Linnhe, reason being that they could control the local Scottish clans. The town is boasts to have the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis 1,345 meters, making it very popular resort for many year-round activities. In the winter the town is a center for ski and snow activities on the slopes of Ben Nevis and in the summer the same slopes become biking and hiking trails. 

Fort William is also the starting and ending point to the West Highland Way from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William, a 154 kilometers hiking route in the heart of the Highlands. Another route that starts in Fort William is the Great Glen Way, 125 km, on the list of the Great Trails by NatureScot, which is Scotland's nature agency (and changed its name from the Scottish Natural Heritage).
 
From the docks of Fort William you can self-drive a canal boat up the Caledonian Canal, which stretches (a wee bit under) 100 km (with close to 30 locks) and takes you to Loch Ness. The canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea and as it makes its way via the Great Glen Way. You will have many a “Kodak Moments’ passing magnificent views of mountains and forests and glens.

Note: More than 200 years ago, an engineer by the name of Thomas Telford created and built this canal linking Fort William and Inverness.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you won’t want to miss a major attraction in Fort William - the steam train known as the Hogwarts Express, a train that was filmed for the Harry Potter films. The ride is about two and a half hours in each direction with a stop-over at Mallaig, a port in Lochabar, a delightful, western fishing village.  As well, the train crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct which was also seen in the Harry Potter films. 

While in Fort William, you can explore the area as well and visit the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle from the 13th century, on the Lochy river. As well, about one mile from the Spean Bridge, in Lochaber,  is the Commando Memorial (Category A listed) monument in Lochaber, Scotland, 

And just outside of Fort William you can visit Glen Coe a charming village known for nature trails, waterfalls and absolutely breathtaking scenery. You can imagine that this too is a great location for many movies. Do make time to visit the quaint and interesting Folk Museum of Glen Coe.