The Commando Memorial – Winter Sunset and a Seafood Supper
A few hours.
The route
The Commando Memorial stands on open moor above Spean Bridge, three bronze soldiers looking south across the glen to Ben Nevis, and in the darker months it's a moving place to watch the light go.
In Fort William, Crannog serves its seafood every evening on Cameron Square.
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 supper at Crannog at Garrison West
Book a supper table at Crannog at Garrison West online, on 01397 701873 or by email, for about an hour after sunset (between about 5pm and 7.30pm from October to March): dinner is served every day from 5pm, with the last booking at 9pm.
The day
Spean Bridge
The memorial in the last of the light, then into Fort William for a long, warm seafood supper.
About three hours
Commando Memorial
An attraction
The Commando Memorial stands beside the A82 where it climbs out of Spean Bridge towards Inverness. Park in the free car park beside it; there are no toilets. Three bronze commandos in wartime kit stand on a stone plinth that reads United We Conquer, looking south over the moor to Ben Nevis. From 1942 the commandos trained at Achnacarry, a few miles to the north-west, and volunteers marched there from Spean Bridge station right past this spot. Come about half an hour before sunset and give it half an hour as the light fades over the Nevis range. It's open ground with no lighting, so bring a torch for the path back to the car. Keep a dog on a lead: this is a place of remembrance, with a Garden of Remembrance beside it where families leave small memorials.
22 min by car
Crannog at Garrison West
Supper
Drive 22 minutes into Fort William for supper at Crannog at Garrison West. The Viewforth car park is beside Cameron Square. Its seafood platters, scallops and oysters are what people come for. Dinner is served every day from 5pm, with the last booking at 9pm. Book ahead, online, on 01397 701873 or by email, for about an hour after sunset.
If it rains
In rain or low cloud there is no sunset to wait for: see the memorial while it's light, then let supper at Crannog run long.
Crannog at Garrison West, a restaurant in Fort William.
Lime Tree Hotel, restaurant with an art gallery.