Weekend City Breaks In Fort William And A Number Of Splendid Visitor Attractions Worth Visiting
Feb 17th, 2009 by DavePF
Fort William is now the largest town in the Highlands (as Inverness became a city). The town of Fort William is an immensely popular tourist center with numerous visitors appearing to climb or just view Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and Great Britain. In the following article I examine a small number of alternative places well worth a visit if you are staying in Fort William.
The Educational West Highland Museum
The West Highland Museum in Fort William was founded in 1922. A group of people from Lochaber wanted to create a museum, about life in the Highlands, for the people of the Highlands. The present building was purchased in 1926 from the British Linen Bank, and is situated in Cameron Square, just off the Hight Street. Fascinating and small is how some people describe the museum. The exhibits in the museum present a fascinating look into life in the West Highlands throughout the years. Folk from all walks of life are represented, through the superb collections of artefact’s, photograph’s and picture’s
The Magnificent Old Inverlochy Castle
There are two Inverlochy Castle’s in Fort William, the Old Inverlochy Castle and the newer Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle, erected in nearby Torlundy (which is now a luxury hotel). The Old castle was rumoured to have been erected between 1270-1280, by John “the Black” Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. Even though the castle is in ruins, the layout has not altered very much since it was erected. Lord Abinger carried out alterations and enhancements to the house, for a visit by Queen Victoria. Old Inverlochy Castle remains an important part of Scottish and English history, because of the role it played during the Civil Wars of the 1640′s.
The Captivating Jacobite Steam Train
A trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, is an awe inspiring way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Highlands. The Fort William to the Mallaig journey takes you on a magical journey through the glens. One of the most sensational parts of the journey is traveling over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which most folk will recognize thanks to the fact that it appears in the movies about Harry Potter. The 84 mile journey takes you past Loch Morar, Loch Nevis and Ben Nevis, with a break in Glenfinnan before reaching Mallaig. There is about an hour and half in which to look around Mallaig, before the return journey, back to Fort William. This journey has often been declared, one of the Great Railway Journeys of the planet.
There is plenty of hotel accommodation in Fort William available to book online but you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Fort William at http://www.fortwilliamhotelscotland.com/
