By Kingfisher Visitor Guides
Even though it can take a while to get to Lochaber, you won’t mind as you’ll be passing through some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the world. Watch out for deer, Highland cows and golden eagles as you drive, walk or cycle throughout the region.
Getting here
By train
Fort William is fairly well served by rail services from the south and there are several services a day from Glasgow to Mallaig, via Fort William. A handy sleeper service connects Fort William with London.
Travel to Fort William and Lochaber with ease via rail networks
By road
The winding but stunningly scenic A82 connects Fort William with Glasgow in the south and Inverness in the north. Fort William is around two and a half hours’ drive from Glasgow and around three-and-a-quarter hours’ from Edinburgh. By bus Scottish Citylink Coaches serve Fort William, with several buses running daily from all over Scotland and within Lochaber.
By air
The closest airport is Inverness Airport, some 70 miles from Fort William, which is well-connected with the rest of the UK, with regular services to and from London, and daily services to other cities such as Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham. There’s a daily flight to Amsterdam.
Getting around
By car
Travelling by car, motorbike, motor home or camper van is a popular way to get off the beaten track and explore. Traffic’s fairly busy in the summer months, and it’s best to get acquainted with the rules of driving on single track roads. Tip: use passing places to let others overtake and you’ll avoid annoying other road users even if you want to drive slowly and take in the passing scenery.
Take in the scenery as you drive through the region
By public transport
The area is fairly well-connected by bus and rail services. Check out thetrainline.com, citylink.co.uk or shielbuses.co.uk for local timetables and routes. By ferry Ferry services operate from Corran to Ardgour and Mallaig to Knoydart. You can also get ferries across to many of the islands on the west.
By taxi
There are plenty of taxi services around – and these days many provide tours to take tourists to visit all the attractions the area has to offer. Alternative methods Sporting enthusiasts galore explore the area by foot, on two wheels or by water. Keen walkers can enjoy the dramatic scenery on the Great Glen Way, a 73-mile route that connects Fort William and Inverness. The Caledonian Canal also links the two, and there are plenty of opportunities to take to the canal and Loch Linnhe by motor cruiser or kayak.
Read more about Fort William and Lochaber
