Treasures of the Earth – Crystal Caves, Trolls and Lunch
A few hours.
The route
When the rain comes down in Fort William, Treasures of the Earth in Corpach is the place to take the children.
Its crystals and fossils are laid out in caves and mine tunnels, with giant amethysts, a glowing ultraviolet cave and trolls to hunt for. Then it's into Fort William for a warm lunch at the Highland Cinema's restaurant, with a film to follow if the rain keeps on. It's a good one for a wet morning.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Woodlands Glencoe, 10 miles away. Sleeps 2.
Book Highland Cinema Restaurant & Bar
A table can be booked online at busy times; walk-ins are welcome.
The day
Corpach
A morning under a roof, with only a short drive in the rain. Crystals, fossils and a troll hunt in Corpach first, then into Fort William for lunch by the stove at the cinema.
About three hours
Treasures of the Earth
Treasures of the Earth is the big yellow building just past the Co-op in Corpach, on the Road to the Isles, with its own free car park. Inside, crystals and fossils are laid out in cave and mine scenes. There are amethyst geodes taller than a grown-up, trilobites, insects caught in amber, and a cave where the minerals glow under ultraviolet light. Younger children can hunt for the trolls hidden through the caves. It opens at 10am, and an hour is about right. From October to March it closes at 4pm and its opening days can vary, so ring 01397 772283 before you set off. Tickets are from £9.99 for an adult and £6.99 for a child at the time of writing, and under-fives go free. There's ramp access and an accessible toilet, but the upper deck can't be reached by wheelchair.
14 min by car
Highland Cinema Restaurant & Bar
Lunch
Then it's 14 minutes' drive into Fort William for lunch at the Highland Cinema's restaurant on Cameron Square, where old film reels play on the walls and a wood-burning stove is lit in colder weather. Lunch is served from noon every day, with pizzas, burgers, salads and home baking, and booking online is advised at busy times. It's family and dog friendly and fully accessible. Park at Viewforth car park beside it: the first 30 minutes are free and up to 3 hours is £3.
If it rains
All of it is under a roof: only the walk from the car park at each end is out in the rain.
Lime Tree Hotel, restaurant with an art gallery.
The Wildcat, a café in Fort William.
Photograph by Juan Sin miedo via Google