Visit Fort William in 2024

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Wildlife Safari Trips around Fort William

Scottish wildlife indigenous to the Fort Wiliam and Lochaber area include golden eagle, minke whale, basking sharks, red deer and red squirrel.

Lochaber Wildlife
The Fort William and Lochaber district is well established as the Outdoor Capital of the UK and known for both adventure sports and it’s spectacular scenery. However, for the wildlife enthusiast, this is one of Scotland’s hidden gems, on the edge of Europe’s last true wilderness.

For a long time, For William and Lochaber has remained in the shadow of it’s better known neighbours Mull and Speyside. But all the wildlife for which these areas are known, with the exception of the capercaille, can be found here. Scotland’s “Big Five” of golden eagle, red deer, otter, harbour seal and red squirrel can all be found in Lochaber and with the help of a knowledgeable local guide it is possible to see them all in a single day.

For the avid birdwatcher there is an endless variety of species, including some of the UK’s rarest birds. Black and red throated divers nest on a number of local lochs. A healthy breeding population of common scoter can be found in the Great Glen. The Scottish crossbill, the UK’s only endemic species can be found in the pine forests. Ospreys and sea eagles are now sighted regularly and numbers are increasing. And few of our remote glens are without a pair of our most iconic birds, the golden eagle.

For lepidopterists, the chequered skipper butterfly is found within 30 miles of Fort William and nowhere else in the UK and pearl bordered fritillaries can be found at a number of locations throughout the region.

Around the coast dolphins, porpoise and minke whales are regularly sighted. In summer, as the water warms and plankton blooms spread north, basking sharks follow this summer feeding bonanza. And our resident pod of orca are seen occasionally around the Small Isles

Lochaber is also home to a population of Scottish wildcat, a species of feline more seriously endangered than the siberian tiger.  The Ardnamurchan peninsula has been declared a wildcat sanctuary with special conservation measures introduced to bring the species back from the verge of extinction, and whilst nationally a very rare mammal, pine marten populations locally are very healthy. Add to this some of the wildest and most spectacular scenery to be found in Europe and you have the perfect recipe for the wildlife holiday of a lifetime.

If you are looking for a new adventure during your visit to the Fort William area, we recommend contacting WildWest Safaris who provide excellent guided wildlife safari trips in the area.

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Wild West
Wildlife safaris and scenic tours in wild places    Wild West offer a selection of wildlife safaris and Scenic tours based in the Lochaber area. See Scotland's " Big Five", Photograph red deer or discover the landscapes and legends of the Scottish highlands. Due to Covid restrictions all tours are offered on a private basis and prices are for a group of up to six people, not per person.  The following is a selection of safaris and scenic tours available with Wild West. for more choices please go to the Wild West website BOOK NOW The Big Five Scotland’s big five of golden eagle, red deer, red squirrel, otter and harbour seal can all be found within 25 miles of Fort William and on this safari, it’s possible to see them all on the same day.  The trip runs every Wednesday and includes a 2 hour cruise on Loch Shiel, taking you into the heart of some of Scotland’s wildest country. Cruises/boat trips can be included in full day safaris on other days, by request. Cost: £350 for up to six persons. Cruise is extra £30 per adult. £20 per under 16 Book online at Wild West - The Big Five The Wee Safari Starting from Fort william this tour crosses loch Linnhe by ferry and visits the Morven peninsula, a quiet wildlife haven well away for the main tourist hotspots. We find red deer and seals on most trips and regularly spot otters. Feral goats and red squirrels are often encountered as well as a great variety of birds. This trips last around 4 hours   Cost: £195.00 for up to six people Book online The Wee Safari The Wee Fort William Tour This is short private tour around the Fort William area.  You’ll visit Neptune’s staircase, one of the engineering marvels of the 19th century, enjoy views of Ben Nevis, hear the story of how Aluminium transformed the highlands of Scotland, see the site of the battle of Inverlochy and explore the ruined Inverlochy castle. We’ll also visit the commando memorial at Spean Bridge. But the highlight of this tour will be a walk to Steall valley through Steall gorge, a spectacular chasm forged by glacial forces 12, 000 years ago. Steall waterfall is the second highest in Britain and was used as a backdrop in a scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire. On the way, we’ll hope to find the “hairy coos” (highland cattle) that live in the glen Cost: £195.00 for up to six people Book online. The wee Fort william Tour Glencoe Mountains And Massacres This tour travels south from Fort William, following the shores of Loch Linnhe and Loch Leven to the village of Glencoe, overlooked by the famous Pap. We’ll stop off at the National trust visitor centre to learn the story of the 1692 massacre of Glencoe. We’ll travel through the spectacular scenery that is Glencoe, learning about the volcanoes and glaciers that shaped the landscape we see today.  Then we’ll take a walk up the steep narrow path to discover the Lost Valley where the MacDonald’s hid their cattle *. Carrying on to Glen Etive we will start with a visit to the falls on the river Coupall, the subject of innumerable iconic images. Further down the glen, we’ll stop to recreate the famous scene from Skyfall with Bond and M before looking for the red deer which can often be found grazing close to the road. Cost £350.00 for up to six people Book now. Glencoe Mountains and massacres *For the less adventurous this can be substituted with a ride up the chairlift. Supplementary charges apply, please ask. If you don't see what you are looking for in the choices above, please ask. Wild West will be happy to help you develop your own unique wildlife safari or scenic tour and multi day tours can be organised
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Cruise Loch Linnhe
Our Cruises on Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil are a ‘must do’ in Fort William and offer the perfect way to relax after exploring the Mountains and Glens of Lochaber!  Our ’Seal Island’ cruise is the best choice for those looking to spot some of Scotland’s best wildlife and learn about the local history and culture. Our Evening Cruises are perfect for those looking to rest their legs while enjoying stunning views of Ben Nevis and sample a selection of local beers and whisky. Or if you’re looking to celebrate that special birthday or anniversary why not book a private charter? Our cruises offer something for everyone whatever the occasion. • Our vessel Elsie offers both heated indoor seating as well as outdoor seating and a 360-degree elevated viewing deck so our cruises are enjoyable whatever the weather!  • Our friendly crew is on-hand to look after you and provide a range of hot drinks, refreshments, and snacks throughout your cruise. • Our Skipper will keep you entertained with an informative live commentary.  • Our cruises are all dog-friendly so you can bring your four-legged friends along. • • We want our cruises to be accessible for everyone so we encourage guests with mobility issues to please get in touch so we can discuss the best cruise options with you prior to booking.  • Elsie also has an onboard toilet. Find out more and book online at: https://cruiselochlinnhe.co.uk/cruises/ advanced booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment!
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Hunter Mountaineering
First Class, friendly Mountain Guiding & Instruction on British Walking, Climbing, Scrambling and Mountaineering. Summer and Winter Private Guiding and Courses. From Walking up Ben Nevis to Climbing in Glencoe. Based in Fort William. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer feedback (Find us on Trip Advisor). We offer Private Guiding and the Courses that follow - Private Guiding, all year round: Our most popular choice is a bespoke service. This is the solution if you want to 'tick' specific climbs or summits, or work on particular skills. Do you want to Climb Ben Nevis via the mountain track, Tower Ridge or Ledge Route? Do you want to become more independent as a mountaineer, or develop your trad or winter leading? Or do you want to complete a particular climb, e.g. Aonach Eagach, Curved Ridge? Get in touch and we can start to make your plan happen. Summer Courses or ideas for Private Guiding could include - 1  Ben Nevis Walk 2  Munro Summits 3  Hill Walking, Navigation and Safety 4  Scrambling and Mountaineering 5  Rock Climbing 6  The CMD Ridge or Ledge route on the North Face 7  Tower Ridge, or other North Face Ridges 8  Aonach Eagach, Curved Ridge or other Glencoe Classics Winter Courses or ideas for Private Gudiing could include - 1  Winter Skills and Safety 2  Walking the Winter Munros 3  Winter Mountaineering 4  Introduction to Winter Climbing 5  Winter Climbing Hunter Mountaineering is run by myself, Max Hunter. I hold the Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor award (the WMCI - the highest professional certification for Mountaineering & Climbing in Great Britain), and am a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and the Mountain Training Association (MTA). I am also a qualified and experienced school teacher.
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