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On 9th June we booked an ensuite room for 10th September. When we arrived, late in the evening, we were told they had made a muddle in the booking and had put us in a "place up the road". We were given a half-hearted apology but it was hardly heart-felt. Where we ended up was ok, just, but was a tiny room and although we had private facilities, these were up on the next floor! An incovenience at the best of times and even more so when I hadn't packed a housecoat. At the Alltonside, we were expecting, as well as ensuite facilities, tv and hairdryer, but had none of these at the substitute place. I feel that in light of the fact that we had booked early and by internet that the Alltonside should have notified us by email of the change in arrangements. And to more or less brush us off brusquely by sending us "up the road" certainly left a rather bad taste. I have the feeling that although our booking was good, at rather the last minute they had had a request from a favoured repeat guest and that we were "bumped". So, I would not recommend that anyone book at this B&B. Certainly if you want to be sure of a Highland welcome, go elsewhere.
Directions: On the right on the way into Fort William.
Tunnel under Caledonian Canal
One of the boats in Fort Augustus
Ben Nevis
Loch Linnhe
This is another photo taken at the gorgeous Glen Coe... There weren't a lot of stopping areas on the road over Glen Coe so I would get out and take some photos while my boyfriend drove for a while then came back to collect me. :)
Rucksacks are always good! Make sure you can carry the, public transport is not at it's best... Waterproofs! Hiking shoes are normal gear in Fort William so don't be shy to wear the on the High Street as well... Midge repellent!!! Bring everything you have got, you'll need it! Water-and windproof clothing, good hiking boots, and a good tent - that should do.
A climb up Ben Nevis belongs to the experiences most visitors of Fort William want to make.
The mountain is often underestimated, though: there is snow on top for most of the year and an average of 10 people lose their lives up ther every year!!!
Don't get carried away by the mountain's relatively low height, it still is a dangerous mountain... If you are not an experienced hiker stick to the 'tourist' path whatever others tell you. Do not go up there in trainers! Take waterproofs with you, even if the weather seems nice, cloud come up within minutes and there are only really few shelters!
This, of course, should not bring you off climbing up there, it's well worth it! Just be prepared and don't risk your or other people's lives!
About 20 miles south of Fort William is Glen Coe, a striking glen with steep walls and a wonderful, but tragic story. Glencoe has some wonderful mountains and has been used by some to train for climbing Everest.
There is a visitors center in Glencoe that will give an overview of the surrounding geology (ancient volcanic) and of the story of the Campbells and MacDonalds. The brief version: The loyal (sold out to the English) Campbell clan snuck up on the Sleeping MacDonald clan (not too friendly to the English) and slaughtered them in their sleep. There is still a touch of contempt between the clans today.
I married a MacDonald, My brother dated a Campbell :-)
Well, not so far really, this is Ben Nevis in the background, Melantee in the middle and Cow Hill, the wooded hill at the front of the picture. The northern edge of Fort William itself can be seen on the water front.
The picture was taken from Camus-nan-Gaul, translating from the Gaelic as Bay of the Stranger.
The town itself stretches along Loch Linnhe water front, draped down the hills from Blarmafoldach, its sprawling mixture of 60's resdiential blocks giving some credence to the town's detractors, of which there are many.
And to be honest, Fort William is no Venice of the North. Planning mistakes have been made in the past that the town is paying for now, and coupled with the plethora of tatty tourist shops selling everything from toy sheep in kilts to cheap plastic raincoats, the place can seem pretty depressing.
However, to be fair, people do not come to Fort William for the architecture, and while it could be argued that the town does blight the surrounding countryside somewhat, there is so much beauty in that countryside that the town has negligible impact overall.
So much history and stunning scenery exist in the area to make it seem almost indecent, the bountiful treasures with which it was bestowed.
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