Dramatic mountains and stunning beaches
With Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, towering behind Fort William, Lochaber has some of the most stunning mountain scenery in Britain including the highest concentration of Munros. Lochaber is an excellent choice for experienced climbers and hill walkers with plenty of challenging routes to choose from. If you prefer to enjoy the views with a little less effort you can always opt for the Gondola at the Nevis Range or take the ski lifts at Glen Coe (open all year round).
Lochaber is renowned for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with amazing stretches of silvery sand, turquoise water and views out to the hills of the islands. With awe-inspiring views the beaches in this area offer undisturbed, natural beauty. Lochaber’s beaches have had a glimpse of fame, having featured in the movie Local Hero and the popular television series Hamish Macbeth. Another claim to fame is the steam train which runs in the summer between Fort William and Mallaig going over the Glenfinnan viaduct, which featured in the Harry Potter films - this iconic train journey also features in the list of the world's best train journeys.
No shortage of things to do
There’s no shortage of activities for visitors to the area and mountain bikers are well catered for with bikes available for hire in Fort William, at the Nevis Range and at Glen Coe. At the heart of cycling in Lochaber is the fast and rocky Downhill at Nevis Range which is the venue for the annual Fort William World Cup. With plenty of routes to challenge experienced riders including the Witches Trails in Leanachan Forest and the Wolftrax at Laggan, Lochaber also offers an excellent choice for biking at a more gentle pace. It doesn’t have to be about the longest downhill or the most challenging cross country, you can also enjoy a gentle loch side ride as you enjoy the scenery and the wildlife with trails along the Caledonian Canal, trails around Glen Nevis and longer trails out to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. See www.ridefortwilliam.com for further information about biking in the area.
Lochaber is a natural choice for kayaking, the sheltered bays are suitable for beginners and longer routes out to the islands are popular with more experienced paddlers. Canoeing trips are also available along the Caledonian Canal and lochs of the Great Glen and local guiding and equipment hire is available through Rockhopper kayaks and also Boots & Paddles who area a local company offering guides and equipment. See www.paddlelochaber.co.uk and www.verticaldescents.com for further information about activities in the area.
Opportunities abound for wildlife watching - from deer, golden eagle,
sea eagle and otter, to pine martin, red squirrel, seal, dolphins and wildcat.
There are local wildlife tour guides who can fill you in on the best
places to spot local wildlife and help you plan your trip to have the best
chance of catching a glimpse of the creature you’d love to see.
There’s so much history in Lochaber and The West Highland Museum in Fort William gives a fascinating insight to the history of the Lochaber region. The museum places a particular emphasis on Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite uprisings and exhibits many relics from this turbulent period. There is also the Visitor Centre at Glenfinnan, managed by The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) the monument where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard. Another NTS visitor centre is located at Glen Coe with everything you would like to know about the famous Glen Coe massacre. You can walk around the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle just outside Fort William and the Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge is a popular stopping point with stunning views as well as information about the role the area played in training commandos.
Where to stay
For information on places to stay in Lochaber visit www.lochaber.com.
Website design and development by fuzzylime.
