Fort William
lies on the shore of Loch Linnhe in the shadow of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. As the main town of the Lochaber District, Fort William is ideally situated at the converging point of various routes. The town developed around a succession of strategically sited strongholds and forts at the southern end of the Great Glen. In summer the town is crowded with holidaymakers as Fort William makes an ideal touring centre from which to discover the beauty of the surrounding countryside.
Highlights of the tourist calendar are the Ben Nevis Race and the Glen Nevis River Race.

West Highland Museum.
This local museum covers a wide variety of topics. Of particular interest are those dealing with the local industries, the Caledonian Canal, Ben Nevis the former fort and Jacobite relics including 'The Secret Portrait".
Ben Nevis This snow capped granite mass is at 4406ft - 1344m Britain's highest mountain but not a shapely one. The Ben is extremely popular with climbers and walkers. Prospective climbers should be suitably clad (boots or strong shoes and waterproofs) and equipped (whistle, map and food).
The summit with its war memorial was once the site of an hotel and an observatory (1883·1904). Legend has it that if the snow ever leaves the summit the ownership of Ben Nevis will revert to the Crown, there is a small but fascinating exhibit touching on all aspects of the mountain: the hill race and records, the water tunnel, ascent by car, tourist path and climbing information. This makes an ideal introduction for those intending to make the ascent of Ben Nevis. Four miles to the southeast.

Start of the footpath: from the road along the north side of the River Nevis or from beside the golf course. Access by tourists' footpath: 4/5 hour ascent and 3 hour descent by a well marked path. This scenic route, often very busy, passes through country rich in historical associations, to the town of Mallaig, one of the ferry ports for Skye and other Inner Harridan isles. Leave Fort William by the Inverness road, the A 82 passing on the way the ruins of Inverlochy Castle (closed, unsafe). Turn left to Mallaig taking the A 830 crossing the canal. Neptune's Staircase.
Banavie.
This flight of eight locks was designed by Telford as part of the Caledonian Canal to raise the water level 64ft in 500yds. From Corpach, with its paper mill (pulping operations ceased in 1980), there are magnificent views, backwards to Ben Nevis. The road then follows the northern shore of Loch Eil, the continuation of Loch Linnhe.
Glenfinnan.
In this glorious setting at the head of Loch Shiel stands the 1815 monument to commemorate those who died while following Prince Charles Edward Stuart in the 1745 rising. Here, five days after landing at nearby Loch nan Uamh the standard was raised before a 1300 strong army of Highlanders. The Year of the Prince ended fourteen months later when he left for France from near the same spot. Start with the visitor centre where the exhibition and recorded commentary introduce the principal figures and events of the period. From the top of the tower there is a splendid view of Loch Shiel penetrating deeply into Moidart and framed by mountains, and northwards over the many spanned railway viaduct.
The Glenfinnan Gathering and Highland Games held annually on the Saturday in August nearest to the anniversary, is an occasion for the clansmen to meet again. Beyond Glenfinnan the road and railway part company to go one either side of landlocked Loch Eilt.
After the Lochailort turn off, the road passes the head of the sea loch, Loch Ailort, before rising to cross the neck of the Ardnish peninsula. The road rejoins Loch nan Uamh, providing a seaward view of the Sound of Arisaig.
Down on the foreshore of the north side a cairn marks the spot where Prince Charles Edward Stuart came ashore on 19 July 1745 with his faithful companions, the Seven of Moidart. The road then follows Beasdale valley, crosses to Borrodale valley then over the neck of Arisaig Peninsula.
The main loch side road the A82 between Fort William and Inverness is a very busy one and delays at the swing bridges can cause nose to tail driving.
A slower road on the east side of the glen follows Wade's 18C military road, the journey takes about 1.5 hours,
Leave Fort William by the A82 at Spean Bridge a Small village at the junction of Glen Spean leading to Aviemore and the Spey Valley. Follow the A82 to the Commando Memorial.
The monument, to the left of the road, is a memorial to all Commandos who lost their lives in World War 2. The site marks their training ground, On a clear day Ben Nevis can be seen away to the left. Loch Lochy.
Just under 10 miles long the loch narrows towards its head. The hill slopes of the loch sides are blanketed with forests. Laggan Locks. - Take the chance to go off the road and watch the many boats negotiate the locks between Loch Lochy (93ft) and Loch Oich (106ft).
The road crosses to the west side.
loch Oich.
This straight narrow and relatively shallow loch required considerable dredging during the construction of the canal to Fort Augustus. This busy little town at the southern end of Loch Ness sits astride the Caledonian Canal and its several locks.
(It becomes a bottleneck for traffic when the swing bridge opens)
The Great Glen Exhibition recounts by means of exhibits and a film the history of the Great Glen from the vitrified forts of Pictish times to the present day.
Fort Augustus Abbey stands on the site of Wade's 18C fort at the south end of Loch Ness. In 1867 the property was presented to the Benedictine Order and monks from one of the few remaining Scottish monastic foundations in Germany settled in Fort Augustus.
The community of Benedictine monks continues its educational role with the running of a Catholic secondary school. The Abbey Church is an interesting 20C achievement.
loch Ness.
The pleasantly pastoral aspect with its forested sides and various settlements, lacks the rugged grandeur of some of the north western lochs. The narrow and 23 mile long loch has a maximum depth of 754ft. These dark waters are the home of the elusive Nessie. It was here that the racing motorist John Cobb (d 1952) lost his life in an attempt to beat the water speed record. A roadside memorial commemorates his attempt.
The village of Foyers on the far side was the site of an aluminium smelter which closed in 1967. There are few glimpses of the loch prior to Drummadrochit due to the tree screen.
Urquhart Castle.
Fairly steep path and stairs down to the castle. The ruins are strategically set on a rocky promontory jutting forth into Loch Ness. The castle was one of a chain of strongholds garrisoning the Great Glen, a fact which gave it a turbulent history. Seen from the roadside the various parts are easy to distinguish.