Lochaber

On the Jacobite Trail from Fort William

A day by car, from the Old Fort to Loch Arkaig.

Written by Graeme Johncock

The area of Lochaber around Fort William is an incredible place to explore. Deep lochs stretch in every direction while Scotland’s highest mountain soars above, but that’s not all. If you think the scenery is dramatic then just wait until you learn about the history! This crucial junction in the Highlands has a very long history, but if there’s one chapter that seems to have made its impact more than others, it’s one of my favourites - The Jacobite Risings.

Pick your dates, and who is coming, and every stop will say whether it is open that day, and what it is like with children, a dog or a wheelchair.

How: A day by car
Distance: About 41 miles
Starts: The Old Fort
Ends: Loch Arkaig
Good for: Food and drink, Walks, History, A rainy day

The day

The Old Fort
An attraction
Start off in Fort William itself at the structure that gives the town its name! Thousands of people will drive past it every day without ever realising it. Originally built in the mid-17th century to suppress this corner of the Highlands, it was later extended and named after King William of Orange. It played a crucial role during the Jacobite Risings and was besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie’s men in 1746 although they found it too difficult a nut to crack! There’s very little of the fort that gives the town its name left, but you can find it across the road from the Morrisons car park with small cannons and information boards explaining what you see!
More about The Old Fort
The rest of this day is for members.
7 more stops, what to do at each, and the drive between them. Members read every one of our days, and the magazine.
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Commando Memorial
An attraction
Walk to Highbridge
Cille Choirill Church
An attraction
Bridge Cafe
A café
Clan Cameron Museum
An attraction
Eas Chia-aig Falls
An attraction
Loch Arkaig
An attraction