The western Scottish Highlands are a well-known location to see the untouched natural beauty of Scotland, but that is just the start of what you could see on holiday there. When planning a holiday in this part of the country, you’ll need to find a starting place, a temporary home that immediately provides some of what you want but also has more nearby to explore. Fort William is the perfect place to choose, and the guide below will explain why.
The Scottish highlands have featured heavily in many Hollywood movies due to their undeniable beauty. One of the more notable productions filmed near Fort William is the world-renowned Harry Potter movie series. The immediately identifiable Hogwarts Express was filmed traversing the Glenfinnan Viaduct for many movies. Even after the filming has finished, there are still regular train rides open to the public and allowing fans an unforgettable memory of experiencing the cinematic train ride themselves.
While the Jacobite steam train (the 5972 Olton Hallis seen on screen) doesn’t start at platform 9 ¾, it is still an unforgettable journey beginning at Fort William and returning after a six-hour roundtrip to the coastal port of Mallaig with several stops along the route. Crossing the viaduct is one of many highlights of your journey, as out the window, you’ll see 84 miles of the gorgeous Scottish countryside.
Ben Nevis is the UK’s highest mountain and an impressive achievement for many mountain climbers. Ben Nevis stands at 1,345 meters; this mountain is surprisingly accessible but should only be attempted after due preparation as it is estimated to take roughly 8 hours. Our cottages near Fort William are very close to this mountain and will provide an excellent base camp to prepare for your morning ascent and restful, safe return.
If mountain climbing is not what you are after, there are alternative ways of experiencing this part of Scotland. Glen Nevis has several bike rental facilities to match the varied nature walks available around the mountain's base. Glen Nevis is also home to the stunning Steall Falls waterfall, accessible through Nevis Gorge. This waterfall is another Scottish location seen in the Harry Potter films, Specifically as a backdrop to the first trial in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Just 15 mins away from our luxury cottages, Fort William provides many ways holidaymakers can entertain, feed and enrich themselves during their stay in Scotlands Highlands.
As the largest town in the western highlands, visitors can easily transition from the vast wild nature to civilisation and enjoy the sites and hospitality it offers. Fort William is on the banks of Loch Linnhe, and despite the tall buildings, you can still often see evidence of the highlands in the distance.
When choosing a holiday cottage for your break in Scotland, you need to think about how you’re going to eat; fortunately, Fort William has you covered. Various supermarkets within the town help you get all the daily essentials and excellent places to eat out.
The Geographer is a popular independent restaurant that brings a mix of authentic local food and international choices to its menu with daily local shellfish options throughout the summer.
Crannog restaurant prides itself on serving the best Scottish seafood in Fort William, and you can even enjoy your meal overlooking the loch. Using only locally sourced, fresh seafood, this restaurant encapsulates the authentic dining experience in Scotland.
Syke Fall cottage (not to be mistaken with Skyfall) is ideally placed to provide the best Fort William has and Scotland in general. This three-bedroom cottage sits alongside one of Scotland’s famous natural landmarks, Loch Lochy, to immediately wow tourists with the nation’s greenery.
You won’t be short of space in this two-level cottage as you’ll have the pick of three double bedrooms equipped with lavish en-suite facilities. Behind the french windows of each bedroom is a viewing area that overlooks the nearby loch for invigorating sunrises or to watch passing boats. For the later evening, two-bedroom suites can enjoy a warm night in front of our 32-inch TVs thanks to the rustic wood-burning stoves.
The open-plan floor space on the ground floor creates a cosy atmosphere for your party without being confining. A living room space seamlessly connected to the contemporary oak kitchen keeps your holidaymakers connected during almost all of the day as you reminisce over your time in Scotland so far.
On the same loch is another of our available properties for consideration, Loch View House. This stunning detached house stands alone, with a private beach and uninterrupted views over Loch Lochy and the Great Glen. The solitude of Letterfinlay provides a tranquil space with your own private section of the highlands for you to enjoy in between visits elsewhere.
This two-floor holiday house has three spacious en-suite bedrooms for your holiday party to relax in on the top floor and luxurious lounge space on the ground floor. The adjacent dining and kitchen area are all equipped with fine dining and appliances, and there’s even a private office space ideal for any remote emergency check-ins with work.
At Millhouse, we pride ourselves on offering a range of luxury holiday cottages in Scotland and other prime locations for UK holidaymakers. Choosing Fort William as your holiday location provides a surprisingly high number of options to fill your time whilst also offering the tranquil peace of the untouched Scottish countryside. However, our popular cottages have limited availability, so reserve your spot early. Book your stay today to avoid missing out on this unique location.
