Fort William Holiday Lodge
explore a little further
Day Trips from Fort WilliamHere are a few truly great day trips from Fort William that can be enjoyed in a full day. I’ve aimed to keep these within a three-hour drive (one way) so they are just about manageable in a day. If you’re looking for things a little closer to Fort William there’s plenty of options from our ‘Things to Do‘ Page.
skye
Quiraing
Skye has to be my favourite day trips from Fort William (although it is a long day), there’s so much to see from the Cuillin to the Quiraing, here we’ll explore the latter. The Quiraing on Skye is simply stunning and well worth the trip. It’s been used as a film location many times and for good reason. I would recommend doing the full four- mile circuit which passes the Prison, Needle and Old Man of Storr.
gateway to the islands
Oban
Oban ‘seafood capital of Scotland’. From the north, you will glimpse this bustling port from the top of the ‘Bealach-an-Righ’. As you sweep down the hill towards the expanse of the bay, the view opens up before you, and one begins to appreciate why Oban has developed into Scotland’s most popular west-coast holiday town.
inner hebrides
Isle of Mull
If you fancy an adventure to the isle of Mull your best bet is to drive or get the train to Oban, then get the ferry across. If you fancy exploring Mull it’s worth planning in advance. It’s a great day out!
to the east
Cairngorms
If the weather is poor to the West there is a chance it’ll be better in the Cairngorms to the East! The area offers watersports, snow sports, some incredible walking, cycling routes, and has 12 golf courses. It’s even home to the only sled dog centre, and the first permanent bridge-based bungee jump, in the UK’. One of the best trips in the UK and definitely one of the best day trips from Fort William.
hunt for nessie
Loch Ness Cruise
The largest Lake in the United Kingdom by volume, the cruise is ‘The perfect way to experience the sights, wildlife and history of the famous loch’. Incredible scenery, hunting for Nessie and being out on the water makes this one of the best day trips from Fort William.
If you want to explore more about being out on the water in the Highlands check out our water sports page
If you want to explore more about being out on the water in the Highlands check out our water sports page
skye
Fairy Pools
At the foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle are the Fairy Pools – beautiful crystal-clear blue pools on the River Brittle. These famous pools entice visitors from all over the world. For those brave enough to enter the cold waters, they are great for ‘Wild Swimming’. For the less adventurous these magical Fairy Pools will provide some fantastic photos.
skye
Fairy Glen
On the West side of Trotternish at Balnacnoc (which means – the village or township in the hills) and above Uig, is the Fairy Glen – a Quirang-like landslip in miniature. The road winds around small round-topped grassy hills with lochans (ponds) in between, which give the Glen an otherworldly feel.
capital of the highlands
Inverness
‘You’ll be surprised where a day out in the Highland capital might take you. You could retrace the footsteps of fallen soldiers on a battlefield or stand in the heart of a Bronze Age chambered tomb.’
historic scotland
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. While you’re in Stirling it’s also worth visiting The National Wallace Monument.
