Scottish Highlands Towns and Villages

Fort William, The original fort was built in 1645 by General George a Monck, acting for Oliver Cromwell. About 40 years later it was strengthened and the structure and re-named Fort William after King William III, replacing the settlement's brief name of Mary burgh, after his Queen. It then formed part of a chain of Highland fortifications, with Fort Augustus on Lochness-side and Fort George , near Inverness, as visible deterrents to the clans who supported the Jacobite cause.

The fort was demolished to make way for the West Highland Railway, which appeared in 1884, to connect the town to Glasgow.

Only the archway and parts of the old walls now remain. A little to the north of the town, off the A82, are the remnants of the I3th-century Inverlochy Castle which saw much action from the Wars of Scottish Independence of that period to the Covenanting Wars in the 17th century.

Fort William is squeezed between the shores of Loch Linnhe and the steep slopes of Cow Hill, so that at first sight it seems that it has only one long street. In fact the burgh sprawls where it can, which adds an element of character and interest.

Dominated by the loch on one side, and Ben Nevis on the other, it exudes a character that is truly the West Highlands offering both summer and winter sport with activities to keep you as busy as you want to be.