Things to do in Fort William - Highlands - Scotland

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If you are looking for things to do in Fort William and the Highlands, why not try one of Vertical Descents' activity days or activity packages – shortbread is great but the memories you will take home from one of our outdoor activities will last a lifetime.

Use our 'mega menu' for activity selection by clicking on ACTIVITIES from the top navigation bar and select FORT WILLIAM to see what we offer in this stunning location.  

You can also use the quick links below to find out more info about specific activities.

Vertical Descents activities available in Fort William:

Outdoor Capital of the UK

Proud to be known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK, Fort William offers the best adventure playground Scotland has to offer. Fort William showcases some of the best outdoor activities in the Highlands. Whether you are looking for an activity break in Scotland with the family or seeking some adrenaline fuelled outdoor adventure days, this is the place to do it all.

Ben Nevis, Nevis Range & UCI Mountain Bike World Cup

Ben Nevis is the UK's highest mountain with an elevation of 1,344m (4,409ft).  'The Ben', as it is known locally, also has a famous neighbour; Nevis Range, where the UK's only mountain gondola takes visitors effortlessly half way up Aonach Mor (two mountains along from Ben Nevis) and takes snowsports enthusiasts to the ski lifts in the winter months. The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is hosted here annually and is a guaranteed spectators delight. Missed out on tickets to the 2012 Olympics? – book tickets for the UCI MTB World Cup and get close to the action!

Scottish Six Day Trials

Other famous events in the area include the Scottish Six Day Trials, another extremely popular event, which attracts riders from all over the world.

Harry Potter, Hogwarts Express & Glenfinnan Viaduct

From bikes to trains - and a very famous one at that. Follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter along the route used by the Hogwarts Express. West Coast Railways offers trips on 'The Jabobite' steam train, which provided the steam engine and carriages for the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. The route has been widely acknowledged as one of the best scenic railway journeys in the world and takes you on a wonderful trip over the Glenfinnan Viaduct (as seen in the Harry Potter films) and past famous landmarks such as the Glenfinnan monument at the top of Loch Shiel.

Commando Memorial

Further north of Fort William, just past the village of Spean Bridge, you can find the Commando Memorial. It is recognised as a place of National and International importance maintained in memory of, and as a tribute to, those Commandos who gave their lives in the Second World War and during more recent conflicts. For things to do in Fort William it doesn't get much more interesting than this.