When I was 25, I moved to Fort William to finish up my dissertation for grad school and work/volunteer at a local hostel. I didn’t realize before I moved up there that it was the ‘Outdoor Capital’ of Scotland. This means that exploring the surrounding areas, or even further, is completely accessible and doable.
On my off days, one of my favorite things to do was hike and also explore neighboring areas. I have compiled a list of 4 day trips from Fort William that you can take (and are SO worth it).
The locations being Glenfinnan, Glencoe, Oban, and Loch Ness (or Fort Augustus).
1. Glenfinnan
Glenfinnan is known for the Viaduct from the Harry Potter movies. If you are a huge Harry Potter fan, then Glenfinnan is the place to be. If you are lucky enough, you will catch the Jacobite Train coming over the Viaduct in a picturesque moment. In my previous post, I detailed all the things you can do around Glenfinnan in order to get the most out of your visit.
To get to Glenfinnan, you can either take the Jacobite Train (for that Harry Potter Experience) or you can just take the normal ScotRail (for a fraction of the price).
Things to do:
- Jacobite Memorial
- Picnic Lunch
- Viaduct (famous from Harry Potter)
- Loch Shiel
- Short trail overlooking the loch (above the train station)
2. Glencoe
It’s no surprise that Glencoe is one of my favorite places in Scotland. From the Three Sisters to the Lost Valley – Glencoe has something to offer for every type of hiker and backpacker. The Glencoe visitor center is full of previous knowledge and information about the area and Scotland. The Glencoe Lochan trails are easy and full of amazing views. Let’s not forget the little white house that every tourist and person stops at to take a picture of because it’s so picturesque.
Things to do:
- Hike Three Sisters
- Hike Lost Valley
- Lunch @ Glencoe Gathering (get the fish and chips!)
- So many great trails around, just take your pick!
3. Fort Augustus (Loch Ness)
You’ve no doubt heard about Loch Ness and the Loch Ness monster. While Loch Ness is extends for 23 miles from Fort Augustus to Inverness, there are many places you can reach the loch from. Recently we took a day trip to Fort Augustus, where you can also hike the Great Glen Way through, and it was absolutely beautiful. I have been to Drumnadrochit before where the Urquhart Castle is, but I much prefer Fort Augustus! It’s about an hour drive or bus ride from Fort William and completely doable as a day trip.
Things to do:
- Loch Ness
- Ferry Ride
- Lunch in the village (Fort Augustus)
- Walk some of the Great Glen Way Trail
4. Oban
Roughly an hour away from Fort William, along the coast is Oban, Scotland. This was one of my all time favorite places we visited. There’s so much history here and it was really cool to see the fishing boats, etc. We had some really good fish and chips here!
Things to do:
- McCaig’s Tower & Battery Hill
- Oban Distillery
- Gylen Castle
- Arduaine Garden
- Picnic and/or eat a pub!
While I stayed in Fort William, I had the ability to visit local places surrounding the area. My top three places, however, are the ones that I have compiled in this blog post for you! I would highly, highly recommend all of them to anyone who asks.
For a more detailed itinerary, use the infographic below with bus numbers and things to do in each location!
Have you been to any of these locations before? What would you recommend to those who haven’t? Let us know below!
Be sure to also read:
- 10 Day Itinerary for Ireland, Scotland & England
- 3 Things to do in Glenfinnan, Scotland
- Afternoon tea in Inverlochy, Scotland
