Find and book the perfect Scottish b&b or holiday cottage near Ben Nevis in Fort William
Visit Fort William, the peak of natural Scottish beauty!
When looking for holiday accommodation in Scotland, why choose Fort William? Well, with its quaint whisky brewing town and sublime highland scenery nestled in the shadow of this famous mountainous peak, Fort William is the epitome of a Scottish escape. After a day of exploring these natural northern jewels, you can return to a traditional holiday cottage in Fort William, where you can wake up in a room with a view of the most stunning landscape in the country. Browse the vast selection of holiday rentals in Fort William and secure a haven in this adventure-filled destination through Airbnb or TripAdvisor today.
When to go?
Though the mountains will almost certainly always be kissed with snow whenever you choose to visit the heart of the Highlands, the best time to visit Fort William is in the late spring months of April and May. For a similar climate with fewer crowds than in the summer months, Fort William is also attractive in the early Autumn months, when the highlands' beauty is emphasised when the landscape turns red with the changing season.
What types of holiday rentals are available in Fort William?
Known as the 'Outdoor Capital of the UK', Fort William has no shortage of activities to fill your days; however, the spirit of this destination does not end with the setting of the sun, as you can spend your nights in quaint holiday accommodation in Fort William. Choose a holiday apartment rental with a garden to enjoy your private sanctuary among the wild landscape which offers enough room for the whole family to enjoy. There is no better place to spend a romantic weekend than in a traditional holiday cottage where you can watch the sunrise across Loch Linnhe without leaving your bedroom. There is also a wide selection of bed and breakfasts in Fort William available which offer a home away from home, whether you relax your days away in the garden, or you only use it as a base camp to recharge before conquering Ben Nevis.
How to get to Fort William
Located to the west of the Scottish Highlands, Fort William is widely accessible from across the UK, whether you travel across land or air. Fort William train station can be reached by connecting in Glasgow Queen Street station from across the country, including the Caledonian Sleeper direct from London Euston, and regular service from Manchester Piccadilly in just over three hours. Alternatively, you can fly to Glasgow or Edinburgh from airports across the country, including London Heathrow and Bristol with a flight time of approximately 1 hour 20 minutes, before connecting to Fort William by rail. Whether you are flying into Glasgow or Edinburgh, or you are already holidaying there and would like to see Ben Nevis, Fort William can be reached in around 2 and a half hours from accommodation in Glasgow. If you are driving to Fort William, take a scenic road trip across the West Highland Way from Glasgow straight to Fort William. Alternatively, you can travel from your holiday apartment in Edinburgh in just over 3 hours.
Where to book a holiday cottage or b&b in Fort William
Upper Achintore
There is perhaps no better way of completely immersing yourself in the rich beauty of Fort Williams than by renting a studio pod, which delivers outstanding views across the snow-dusted mountain peaks. The therapeutic seclusion of a night in a holiday rental in Upper Achintore will leave you feeling completely rejuvenated and connected to the beautiful Highlands.
Lochybridge
Among its panoramic mountainous views, the neighbourhood of Lochybridge is famous for housing the Ben Nevis Distillery. This makes it the ideal place to secure a holiday home in Fort William if you are primarily travelling to the town for an explosion of your tastebuds after sampling the famous golden drink.
Fort William Town Centre
Despite offering a range of high street names and amenities which are expected from a town centre, Fort William centre showcases even more attractions to its visitors, as it is where guests can pick up some locally grown produce from independent retailers, before trying out some Scottish cuisine which has been cooked up your self-catered apartment rental in Fort William. The town centre is also close to the activity hub Fort William Shinty Club, so choosing a bed and breakfast in one of this neighbourhood's timeless townhouses will place you just a stone's throw away from all the adrenaline fuelled action.
Claggan
The residential area of Claggan is the perfect place to choose a holiday apartment rental in Fort William, where you can live like a local, but still enjoy that relaxing holiday feeling through the sublime serenity of the surrounding landscape, right from the privacy of your own garden.
Camaghael
The neighbourhood of Camaghael is the perfect place to reserve a holiday home or an apartment rental in Fort William if you crave adventure and are planning on hiking or cycling up to the globally famous summit of Ben Nevis. Camaghael is located just twenty minutes from the foot of the iconic peak, meaning you can enjoy the breathtaking views from 1,345 above before retiring to your relaxing oasis in this charming town.
Banavi
Choose a luxury holiday apartment rental in Fort William by renting a idyllic Loch Keepers Cottage in the waterfront neighbourhood of Banavie. Enjoy views across the Loch which lays at the fringe of the mountains, offering an excellent place for photographers and hikers alike to reside before delving straight into the dramatic views of this unspoilt neighbourhood.
Things to do in Fort William
Climb Ben Nevis
A visit to Fort William is not complete without a visit to the UK's highest peak, Ben Nevis. Towering 1,345 meters above the town, this famous summit will place you on top of the British Isles and, though it should not be underestimated, is accessible to all, whether you are an experienced climber, or it is your first mountain climb.
Hike along the Great Glen Way
The long distance path of the Great Glen Way spreads nearly eighty miles through Scotland's most stunning landscape, including the River Lochy which lays in the heart of Fort William. Take in the natural splendour of this Highland Kingdom by hiking, cycling or even dancing along Fort William's section of this beautiful stretch of land.
Drink some whiskey in Ben Nevis Distillery
It is impossible to visit Scotland without sampling the country's national drink, and there is no better place to do this than in the Ben Nevis Distillery. Witness how this 200-year-old practise has evolved into crafting some of the finest whiskey in Scotland, before sampling some of the renowned liquid for yourself.
Ride the Jacobite
Labelled as 'the greatest railway journey in the world', The Jacobite Stream Train passes through the town on a daily basis, before embarking on a route which showcases the extraordinary beauty of the Highlands beyond Fort William.
Explore the West Highland Museum
If you want to become more acquainted with the rich history of the second largest town in the Highlands, look no further than an afternoon in the West Highland Museum which tells the story of Fort William's past residents and the lasting legacy they left behind.
Shop on Fort William High Street
Bursting with exclusive boutiques, food markets and gift shops, Fort William High Street is a Scottish shoppers paradise, so don't forget to pick up a souvenir somewhere along this street before leaving Fort William.