The Road from Fort William to Ardnamurchan

Glenfinnan Viaduct

An attraction

Heading west from Fort William will be the busiest road along this route, with some travellers heading to the ferry at Mallaig and even more with Glenfinnan in their sights. It’s become a difficult place to get parked in recent years thanks to the popularity of watching the Jacobite Express steam train cross the viaduct, but if you can get stopped then it’s well worth it! The viaduct is beautiful, but the real views are in the other direction, down the length of Loch Shiel. Beside the water stands the Glenfinnan Monument, raised to remember those who followed Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Jacobite Rising. This was where the campaign officially began and history was made!

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Saint Mary & Saint Finnan Church

An attraction

Just a short hop up the hill stands a contender for best church view in Scotland. St Mary & St Finnan church looks over Loch Shiel and is usually open for a peek inside. Note the stained glass windows high up, with symbols of the surrounding area. Outside, the Glenfinnan Coffee Co offer great takeaway hot drinks from the wee horse box!

The Seven Men of Moidart

An attraction

Turning off the busy road to Mallaig takes you into a wilder area with stunning scenery as you skirt the edge of Loch Ailort. Eventually, you’ll reach another chapter in the Jacobite story, with the Seven Men of Moidart. A viewpoint looks out to where seven beech trees once stood, named after the men who first landed with Bonnie Prince Charlie near here to begin his quest. There are only a couple trees left standing sadly, with new replacements struggling to grow in the wet ground. A little further along, keep your eyes open for a community honesty box on the left hand side!

Castle Tioram

An attraction

The ruined Castle Tioram is one of my favourites in all of Scotland, even though there’s no access to its interior. Its name translates as Dry Castle and as it sits on a small island, you can only walk out when the tide is low so always check the times before you visit. This was once home to the MacDonalds of Clanranald, a particularly wild and unruly branch of the clan. They would raid their neighbours before retreating to the safety of Loch Moidart, their chiefs rarely worrying about the consequences. Today, it’s an incredibly peaceful spot to let your imagination run wild!

Loch Shiel Hotel

Food and drink

Grab a traditional pub lunch at the Loch Shiel Hotel in Acharacle, and if it’s Sunday then their roast dinners are especially popular!

Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide

An attraction

On the shore of Loch Sunart, head down a sturdy wooden walkway to find somewhere special. It’s the Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide and it’s one of the best places in the area to spot seals! There are usually dozens of the animals sunning themselves on the rocks or swimming around in the water and the free telescope makes it easy to watch without disturbing them. There’s plenty of other wildlife to see if you keep quiet, including regular herons and other waterbirds. Otters have been spotted here before, but I’ve never been lucky enough on any of my trips!

Camas nan Geall

An attraction

Stop to catch your breath after a winding drive along the road and admire the view down to Camas nan Geall. This wide grassy area translates as Bay of the Strangers and there’s a lot of history packed into the area. There’s a standing stone hiding beside an old burial ground and the remains of a farming township on the hillside. The very name of the bay means that this could have been where early Christian missionaries or Viking raiders first landed. It’s a place to let your imagination roam, even if you don’t make the hike down from the parking area.

Ardnamurchan Lighthouse

An attraction

At the very end of the road, you’ll finally reach Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, built by the famous Stevenson engineering family in the 1800s. This is the far western tip of the Scottish mainland and the views don’t get much better than from the top of the tower, if you’ve got the energy to climb it! If you’re especially lucky, you might even get to meet the lighthouse dog, which gives you a good reason to stay at ground level and avoid all of those stairs!