Lochan Cottage is the perfect setting for enjoying a short break or for touring the Highlands.
Close by you can visit the Ben Nevis Distillery, Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian Canal, the Treasures of the Earth and the local museum with its exhibitions on Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. Why not take the gondola up into the Nevis mountain range or go on a boat trip from Fort William to see the seals?
There's so much to see and do, we hardly know where to start!
There are lots of opportunities for day trips too (many of these are possible using public transport):
Take the Road to the Isles along a spectacular coastline to see the Silver Sands of Morar and the Small Isles.
Visit historic Glenfinnan to see the famous viaduct and railway station, take a boat trip on the loch, or explore the Jacobite monument and museum.
Drive off the beaten track into Moidart and discover the ruins of ancient Castle Tioram.
Head eastwards to Loch Ness, Inverness and Culloden Battlefield.
Visit picturesque Eilean Donan Castle on the way to the Isle of Skye.
Explore the magnificent scenery of haunting Glencoe and Rannoch Moor.
Travel down the coast past Castle Stalker to Oban and the ferry to the Isle of Mull.
Go inland to Loch Laggan and 'Monarch of the Glen' country.
The scenery of Lochaber has often been seen on the big screen.
The area has been used for locations of numerous movies including the first two Harry Potter films
where the Quidditch matches were filmed against the background of Glen Nevis (which was also used for Braveheart, Rob Roy and Highlander III).
Special effects were used to show Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sitting on a ridge of Ben Nevis. The Glenfinnan viaduct and station appeared with Hogwarts Express showing the spectacular Road to the Isles along the famous West Highland Line. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has recently been filmed at Glen Coe (see photo).
Highland locations used for Rob Roy and Braveheart also included Loch Arkaig, Loch Morar, Rannoch Moor, Loch Leven and Glencoe.
Castle Tioram appeared in Rob Roy and the Highlander TV series.
Take a trip on the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and back along the scenic Road to the Isles. This is one of the Great Railway Journeys of the world.
The morning service (departs Fort William 10.15am tbc) runs Monday to Friday from 14 May to 26 October 2012, plus Saturdays and Sundays from 23 June to 26 August. The afternoon service (departs Fort William 2.45pm tbc) runs Monday to Friday from 4 June to 31 August 2012.
Fort William & Lochaber - 'Outdoor Capital of the UK'
Hillwalking and forest rambles
Cycling and mountain biking
Mountaineering and skiing at the Nevis Range and Glen Coe
Watersports such as sailing, windsurfing and canoeing
Fishing (loch, river and sea)
Horse Riding at Fort William and Spean Bridge
Boat Trips from Fort William, Glenfinnan, Arisaig, Mallaig
10-pin bowling at Nevis Centre in Fort William
Climbing wall, swimming pool, sauna, squash courts Lochaber Leisure Centre in Fort William
The Ice Factor at Kinlochleven - a huge indoor climbing centre with the biggest indoor ice climbing facility in the world, plus a rock climbing wall, Children's Activity Zone, sauna, steam room, plunge pool and hot tub.
Vertical Descents has an adventure activity centre at Onich offering canyoning, white water rafting, paint balling, funyakking, abseiling, etc.
Adventure Nevis offer experienced qualified Mountain Leaders specialising in Ben Nevis ascents in both summer and winter
Golf
Scotland is known as the 'home of golf' and the Highlands have a wide variety of excellent courses.
The following can be found within a short drive of Lochan Cottage Guest House:
Fort William Golf Club - 18 holes, 5900 yards Overlooked by Ben Nevis.
Traigh Golf Course - 9 holes, 4912 yards Stunning coastal setting near Arisaig on the Road to the Isles.
Spean Bridge Golf Course - 9 holes, 4406 yards Views of the Ben Nevis mountain range and Commando Memorial.
Dragon's Tooth Golf Course - 9 holes, 5038 A new course at Ballachulish.
Fort Augustus Golf Club - 18 holes, 5454 yards Near Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal.
Wildlife safaris in the Scottish wilderness are organised by Ian Macleod. To the west of the Great Glen lies Glen Garry, a little known area of outstanding beauty and abundant wildlife. On a beautiful frosty morning Ian brought us to this spot on his red deer safari at the end of the rutting season in October last year. We have never seen so many red deer and other wildlife before. Ian's knowledge about wildlife and photography helped us to get to know more about it. We took a lot of photos and really enjoyed the whole experience. It's an absolute must for keen photographers and wildlife enthousiasts. For more information visit: www.wildwestsafari.co.uk Here are some of the photos we took.
Every Tuesday and Thursday from June to the end of August,
the local High School Pipe Band plays in Fort William High Street at 7.30pm.
There are also events happening outside the main tourist season
so why not take advantage of one of our Special Offers and visit the Highlands for a short break?
Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries.
