This part of our guide to Scottish villages, towns, and cities focuses on the town of Fort William, Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands.
Situated on the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe, For William is a popular tourist centre on the Road to the Isles. Glen Cove is south of Fort William, Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr are east, and Glenfinnan is to the west. The town serves as a centre for hillwalking and climbing, given its proximity to Ben Nevis and other Munros, which are mountains with a height of 3,000 feet or more and listed on the Scottish Mountaineering Club's official list of Munros. It also has a nearby mountain bike track and may be either the start or the end of both the West Highland Way (Milngavie – Fort William) and the Great Glen Way (Fort William–Inverness).
In 1654, a wooden fort was built on the site of Fort William to be used as a base for the New Model Army to pacify Clan Cameron after the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Fort William was built there, and named for William of Orange, who ordered its construction to control some of the Scottish clans.
The settlement that grew up around Fort William was named Maryburgh, then renamed Gordonsburgh, and then Duncansburgh, before taking its current name, this time for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland.
Historically, the area of Fort William was dominated by old Clan Chattan, and then Clan Cameron. Prior to the construction of Fort William, Inverlochy was the main settlement in the Lochaber region.
Fort William was besieged for two weeks by Jacobite forces during the 1745 Jacobite Rising, also known as the Forty-five Rebellion. The Jacobites failed to take Fort William, although they did that the nearby Fort Augustus and Fort George.
The town is centred on High Street, which was transitioned into a pedestrian walkway in the 1990s. Several squares stem off of High Street, including Monzie Square, Station Square, Gordon Square, Cameron Square, and Fraser Square, the latter of which is no longer square because it now opens out into Middle Street.
Residential areas in Fort William include Upper Achintore, An-Aird, Banavie, Caol, Claggan, Corpach, Inverlochy, Lochyside, and the Plantation.
Fort William is the northern terminus of the West Highland Way, a long-distance route that runs ninety-five miles through the Scottish Highlands to Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow. It is also the starting or ending point of the Great Glen Way, that runs between Fort William and Inverness.
The West Highland Line, a railway, passes through For William. The Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight train, has its terminus at Fort William. The Caledonian Canal connects Scotland's east coast at Inverness with the west coast at Corpach, near Fort William.
Fort William has hosted a round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup each year since 2002, and it has hosted the World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation's solo 24-hour championship in 2014 and 2018. The town also hosts the Scottish Six Day Motorcycle Trial, a week-long event held in May.
Fort William has two major shinty teams, Fort William Shinty Club and Kilmallie Shinty Club, as well as a football team, Fort William Football Club, which competes in the Scottish North Caledonian League, playing its home games at Glaggan Park.
The town is also home to the Lochaber Rugby Club, the Lochaber Yacht Club, and the Fort William Golf Club.
Topics related to the town and any of its entities, along with local businesses, institutions, museums, libraries, and other places of interest, are appropriate for this category, as are local sports and recreational programs and facilities, entertainment venues, attractions, and events.
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This appears to be an official tourism website for the town of Fort William, in Lochaber, Scotland. Visitors to the site can view guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, self-catering apartments, and hotels in Fort William. They can find restaurants and pubs, shopping venues, services, transportation options, and things to do in and around Fort William. Other resources include a trip planner, online hotel and B&B bookings, an informational blog, and several photographs.
https://fortwilliam.co.uk/
Offering beer and food in Fort William, Scotland for about thirty years, the traditional alehouse and restaurant is about half way along the High Street in Fort William, and in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Featuring a range of drinks, including craft beers, real ales, and malt whiskies, the restaurant welcomes families and dogs. Usually open in the evenings from 5:00 pm, the restaurant's in-house and take-away menus are posted, along with a drink menu, entertainment schedules, and contacts.
https://grogandgruel.co.uk/
The Fort William and Lochaber taxi firm has a fleet of 8, 6, and 4-seater cars, offering door-to-door service for all hotels and B&Bs around Fort William and Lochaber, as well as pre-booked journeys for all transport hubs, scenic tours and trips to Lochaber's tourist attractions, transport assistance for people undertaking long-distance walks or on an extended walking holiday, as well as assisted trips from home or work to the shops, doctor, dentist, hospital, day centre, or elsewhere.
https://www.lochabertaxis.com/
Silly Goose at the Lime Tree, The
The restaurant at the Lime Tree has been in operation for more than two decades. The proprietors are introduced, and its location, hours of operation, and online bookings are available. Its menu includes starters (Scotch Broth, Smoked Haddock, Pigeon, and Lentil Kofta) mains (Pheasant, John Dory, Fillet Ramen, and Squash), and afters (Chocolate, Cheese Cake, Queen of Pudding, Apple Crumble, and Cheese Board). Job opportunities and contacts are noted.
https://thesillygooserestaurant.com/
The Fort William-based independent website promotes Fort William and Lochaber, offering information about this area in the Scottish Highlands, and serving as a means for local businesses, clubs, and charities to promote themselves to a larger audience. Featured is a general guide to the area, its history, culture, events, and an interactive map. Places to eat or stay in Fort William are highlighted, along with outdoor activities, retail stores, and an introduction to Ben Nevis.
https://visitfortwilliam.co.uk/
