Fort William Holiday Lodge
photograph the highlands
Fort William Photography GuideAt the base of the highest point in the United Kingdom Ben Nevis there are a few great spots to capture Ben Nevis from but that’s not all the area has to offer. In this Fort William photography guide I’ll try and list a few good starting points but I do recommend setting aside a bit of time and having an explore around. For greater information and more spots to visit and photograph check out the excellent ‘Photographing Scotland‘ book (we have it in our sitting room). Looking for other guide locations? Go back to your main photography guide page.
the famous north face
Ben Nevis North Face from CMD
Can be reached directly from the house and doesn’t require any scrambling or technical climbing, but does require a decent degree of fitness and the willingness to walk through a bog for a while. Here is the route to where I took these pictures from. In winter conditions you will need an ice axe and crampons with you and the ability to use them safely.
Check the forcast on MWIS before you head out to try and get an idea of what conditions will be like at sunrise/sunset (there’s no point heading up for a photo if Ben Nevis is covered in clouds.
The pictures I’ve included here are from the way up to the CMD, from the CMD you get a nice sweeping view of the Arete heading up to Ben Nevis.
Check the forcast on MWIS before you head out to try and get an idea of what conditions will be like at sunrise/sunset (there’s no point heading up for a photo if Ben Nevis is covered in clouds.
The pictures I’ve included here are from the way up to the CMD, from the CMD you get a nice sweeping view of the Arete heading up to Ben Nevis.
Loch linnhe
Old Boat of Caol
Park near the train station in Carpoch from here you’ll see a series of locks if you cross over these and get onto the beach and walk towards Fort William you will soon come across this interesting boat with Ben Nevis in the background.
This spot also offers great views across Loch Linnhe to Fort William and down to the Corran Narrows.
This spot also offers great views across Loch Linnhe to Fort William and down to the Corran Narrows.
hogwarts express
Neptune’s Staircase & Jacobite Steam Train
There’s a carpark right by Neptune’s Staircase down the road in Caol/Banavie which means there’s minimal walking needed to take in this impressive sight.
At the bottom of Neptune’s Staircase is a railway bridge, it’s worth checking the depature times of the Jacobite Steam train from Fort William so you can catch the shot of the train infront of Ben Nevis.
You can combine this trip with the Old Boat of Caol by making a loop around the canal.
At the bottom of Neptune’s Staircase is a railway bridge, it’s worth checking the depature times of the Jacobite Steam train from Fort William so you can catch the shot of the train infront of Ben Nevis.
You can combine this trip with the Old Boat of Caol by making a loop around the canal.
waterfall
Steall Falls
About a 20 Minute drive from Highwinds at the end of Glen Nevis is the start of the track to Steall Falls, one of the biggest water falls in Scotland. The short trek to the falls offers some brilliant views and if you’re feeling brave there is a wire bridge to cross near the falls.
For more information about the Steall Falls walk please visit our walking page.
For more information about the Steall Falls walk please visit our walking page.
north face
Ben Nevis from Highwinds
Our house in located with a spectacular view of the North Face of Ben Nevis. You can spend hours watching the weather roll over Ben Nevis and study the mountain as it changes through out the day. We have a nice comfy chair set up infront of a window looking out to the Mountain so you can relax in comfort while waiting for the perfect light.
hogwarts
Glenfinnan
About a 20 Minute drive from Highwinds you can get to Glenfinnan which offers many incredible photography opportunities of Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel.
It’s difficult to get a bad picture here but one option to get away from the beaten track is to go up the Glen and up forestry track to the right to get a great view of the Viaduct and Loch Shiel.
It’s difficult to get a bad picture here but one option to get away from the beaten track is to go up the Glen and up forestry track to the right to get a great view of the Viaduct and Loch Shiel.
woodland walk
Blar Meanbh
At the end of our road just over the bridge there’s a little left turn which will take you on a little trail to these woods. They’re completely off the beaten track and there’s so many little routes to explore and photograph. The trees tend to blow down a lot in the woods and block the little trails so you will need an adventerous.
For more information on these woods please visit our Blar Meanbh page.
white sands
Beaches at Morar
About an hours drive from Fort William there is an absolutely stunning section of coast line.
With stunning white sands, clear turquoise and views out to Mull, Eigg and Skye it is a challenge to take a bad photo.
The best parking options are either at camusdarach or at the Traigh beaches car park failing that there are more parking options at Arisaig which is a great place to be in its own right. More information on our beaches page.
With stunning white sands, clear turquoise and views out to Mull, Eigg and Skye it is a challenge to take a bad photo.
The best parking options are either at camusdarach or at the Traigh beaches car park failing that there are more parking options at Arisaig which is a great place to be in its own right. More information on our beaches page.
wildlife
Fields Around Highwinds
We’re lucky to have fields to the front and back of Highwinds which are full of Horses, Cows, Sheep, Goats and Birds see what you can spot on your visit to Highwinds
views of aonach mor, cmd & ben nevis
Cruim Leacainn
This is the hill out the back of Highwinds, it offers fantastic views of Aonach Mor, Carn Mor Dearg & Ben Nevis. You start along the road then take a right and follow a track up, through some fields and a forest before a bit of a boggy slog for the final accent.
Some careful route finding is needed as there isnt a clear path and there be a gate or two that needs to be hopped. Here’s the route I took when I did it.
