2017 UK Trip: 11 Fort William, Scotland - The aftermath of the Jacobite rising...

"Fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell not stuff to show..."

(History of the Highlands people in the Museum)

Date: 10 May 2017 (Wednesday)

Route: Fort Augustus – Fort William 

Distance: 32 miles (49 min)

Fort William is a town in the western Scottish Highlands, on the shores of Loch Linnhe. It is a gateway to Ben Nevis, the U.K.’s highest peak, and Glen Nevis valley, home to Steall Falls. In the town centre, the West Highland Museum focused on regional life and history. To the northeast, Ben Nevis Distillery explores whisky production.

(A welcoming notice in the window)

(The Boudicca cruise ship is in town)

(Big bikers taking a rest in Fort William)

Fort William is the second largest settlement in the Highlands of Scotland with around 10,000 inhabitants, 7.33% of the population can speak Gaelic. Fort William is a major tourist centre, with Glen Coe just to the south, Aonach Mòr to the east and Glenfinnan to the west, on the Road to the Isles. It is a centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis and many other Munro mountains. It is also known for its nearby downhill mountain bike track. It is the start/end of both the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way, a walk/cycle way between Fort William and Inverness.

(Self-guided tour of Fort William)

(An old cathedral in Fort William)

Fort William's town centre provides a good shopping experience. The town’s main street, the High Street, It is the major shopping spot. There are a number of local shops, specialty stores, gift and souvenir shopping venues. 

(High Street in Fort William, quaint and fun!)

(One of the many souvenir shops)

(Scottish Folk dance outside the Highland Museum)

The West Highland Museum, in the centre of Fort William, tells the story of the mountainous West Highlands of Scotland and its people. It has seven rooms on three floors, with an extensive collection of exhibits relating to the Jacobites, including the eighteenth century "secret portrait" of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Later royalty is represented by a collection of Victoriana, including the Highland regalia gifted by Queen Victoria to her favourite servant, John Brown.

(Free admission to the Highland Museum)

(World famous Jacobite exhibits)

The museum aims to cover every aspect of West Highland history, with other exhibits for archaeology, wildlife, Highland life, and military history including the history of Fort William itself. It has recently opened a Commando Exhibition which tells the story of the Commandos in Lochaber during the Second World War.

(Guns used during the war)

(The portrait seen at an angle)

(The turbulent history of the highlanders)

             2017 UK: 12 Glasgow, Scotland👉

👈2017: 10 Fort Augustus, Scotland