7 Romantic Issues to Do within the Scottish Highlands 

What involves thoughts when you consider Fort William? It’s an excellent base for a vacation or brief break on the western aspect of the Scottish Highlands. It’s additionally inside simple distance of Ben Nevis and numerous lochs, together with Loch Linnhe, Loch Eil, and Loch Lochy.

Of all of the phrases you could possibly use to explain the world, romance isn’t high of the checklist. Don’t be fooled although – there are many methods to rejoice an anniversary, ask that all-important query, and even simply take pleasure in a day in one another’s firm. Whether or not you need to be lively or simply to seek out someplace to be collectively, there are some fabulous choices obtainable.

I’ve put collectively just a few ideas for romantic journeys utilizing Fort William as a place to begin. No matter you need to do, you need to discover one thing right here that works for you.

Desk of Contents

• Take the Jacobite steam practice to Mallaig
• Spend the day in Glen Coe
• Go to Eilean Donan Fort
• Take a cruise on Loch Linnhe
• See Nevis Gorge and the Steall Falls
• Strive a spot of Nessie looking!
• Fort William – the perfect base for a romantic break

Take the Jacobite steam practice to Mallaig

How might I not begin with this? The journey is commonly listed among the many best railway journeys on the earth. The Jacobite steam practice provides the perfect and most beautiful technique to get from Fort William to Mallaig. It is a small city and port searching to Skye and Rum.

For those who’ve seen Harry Potter, it’s possible you’ll get déjà vu because the practice chugs throughout the well-known Glenfinnan Viaduct. This curves across the inland finish of Loch Shiel. Views from the practice take within the Jacobite monument standing on the shores of the loch. It’s fairly an expertise, though all the journey is memorable.

You may guide extras to your journey as effectively if you want. Champagne, sweets, and flowers can be found for celebrating a special occasion or anniversary. Alternatively, I can personally advocate the cream tea, though it does imply you’ll find yourself foregoing the beautiful fish and chips you may get in Mallaig. 

Maybe only a bag of chips to share, so you may have the perfect of all choices. Might there be something extra romantic than sharing some chips?

Spend the day in Glen Coe

Leaving Fort William through the A82 south west, you may comply with that highway by way of beautiful surroundings till you see indicators for Glen Coe village. You’ll be there in underneath half an hour.

The highway by way of the small village takes you out to the Glencoe Lochan Forestry Fee automobile park. There are three waymarked walks there, all taking you alongside a minimum of a part of the banks of the lochan. It’s simple to ‘sew’ the three walks collectively to make an extended round route too.

There are many locations to cease for a bit. For those who’re ready, you may all the time take a picnic and blanket on a dry day and revel in a calming and romantic lunch among the many redwoods. And for the eager photographer, it’s just about inconceivable to take a photograph and never have a mountain in it.

It’s additionally value heading out to the Glencoe Customer Centre whilst you’re within the space. It’s solely a mile from the village. It’s an awesome introduction to the breath-taking surroundings supplied all through the glen. 

If you wish to get away from all of it, there are many prospects in Glencoe to do exactly that. With loads of walks and hikes ranging from the customer centre and from numerous parking spots alongside the A82, you may strike out and shortly be alone, simply the 2 of you.

The Sign Rock automobile park is simple to seek out and signposted. That is the beginning of one of the well-known and best-loved walks within the space. Solely a mile and a half lengthy, it provides wonderful views of Aonach Eagach, a slender ridge formation, and finishes by taking you previous the Clachaig Inn in your manner again to the automobile. It might be a disgrace to not drop in whilst you’re passing, wouldn’t it?

Go to Eilean Donan Fort

The most effective issues about Fort William is how effectively positioned it’s for visiting different components of western Scotland. Don’t neglect that you simply’re within the coronary heart of among the most beautiful surroundings too. It’s arduous to seek out phrases that adequately describe it. 

Ben Nevis famously towers over the city, however there are some incredible routes out of Fort William which you could take pleasure in for a romantic drive out to some well-known vacationer spots.

One among these is Eilean Donan Fort, and the route from Fort William is a marvellous one. Round 65 miles from the city, you may take the A82 north-east alongside Loch Lochy. While you attain Invergarry, you flip left onto the A87, previous Loch Garry. 

There are many locations to cease alongside the best way for images, so count on the journey to take longer than the 90 minutes it could take with out stopping. You may tick off Loch Loyne and Loch Cluanie in your loch bingo card too, earlier than ticking off three extra on arrival at Eilean Donan Fort.

The citadel is on the assembly level between three lochs within the Kyle of Localsh. The island the place the citadel sits reveals indicators of being inhabited for round 1,500 years. Nevertheless, the citadel you’ll see right now is a mere child, as the primary one was constructed within the 1200s. Nobody is sort of positive whether or not that is the fourth model or whether or not there have been others.

Head for the customer centre if you arrive. The do-it-yourself goodies within the café are value a go to alone, however be sure to wander across the citadel and absorb its many spectacular rooms and historic objects.

If the citadel appears acquainted, it’s as a result of it is among the most iconic pictures of the nation. It has additionally featured in numerous TV reveals and movies, together with Highlander and James Bond: The World is Not Sufficient. It’s fairly the superstar. 

READ NEXT:  20 Greatest Castles in Scotland to Add to Your Bucket Checklist

Take a cruise on Loch Linnhe

For those who’re staying in Fort William, you could possibly stroll to the city pier the place cruises go away to discover both Loch Eil or Loch Linnhe. I’ve chosen Loch Linnhe as it’s bigger, however both manner you’ll take pleasure in a comfy cruise with views of the well-known Ben Nevis and surrounding mountainous surroundings.

Cruise occasions differ, so examine their official web site to seek out out what occasions they sail. In the course of the summer time months, they provide night cruises too, ideally suited in case you fancy watching the solar set.

The Crannog Cruises web site additionally mentions they’ll prepare a personal constitution. Maybe that romantic sundown cruise might be reserved for you and the one you love alone? That might be an excellent technique to pop any query you take note of…

See Nevis Gorge and the Steall Falls

Ben Nevis itself is for these ready and educated sufficient to take it on. Nevertheless, you may nonetheless seize a lot of the great thing about Glen Nevis and the encircling countryside for a stroll described as among the best of its form in the entire nation.

You’ll want to go for the Higher Glen Nevis automobile park, which is about 20 minutes outdoors of Fort William and 7 miles from the city centre. The highway takes you previous the Ben Nevis Customer Centre and the Decrease Falls Automotive Park additional alongside the route. Watch out because it’s a single-track highway, though there are passing locations.

Ultimately, you’ll come to a automobile parking spot the place the route begins. Ensure you put on sturdy strolling boots and take further care – there’s a signal warning that deadly accidents occur on this space, so don’t low cost the danger. Nevertheless, in case you do resolve to stroll to Steall Falls, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views.

In good climate, there are just a few protected locations the place you could possibly unpack a picnic and benefit from the views of the waterfall. The mountains rise round it and the water rushes previous, additional constructing the dramatic surroundings. No different picnic will really feel fairly the identical after this.

Strive a spot of Nessie looking!

How might I end with out mentioning the 50-minute drive by way of marvellous surroundings that lands you on the southern finish of Loch Ness? Fort Augustus is the perfect place to begin for locating the loch. 

Whereas monster sightings aren’t assured, you may be taught extra in regards to the creature by hopping on board one of many many cruises that depart from Fort Augustus. These don’t run all 12 months spherical however incessantly depart throughout the busier season.

Alternatively, in case you’re each eager to hurry issues up a bit, you could possibly guide a visit on a Beastie Boat. It is a RIB boat departing Dochgarroch Loch that speeds throughout the water and takes you on a whirlwind tour of Loch Ness in 80 minutes.

Nessie sightings aren’t assured, however you may snuggle up on board a ship collectively and be taught extra in regards to the historical past of the monster and the loch it supposedly lives in. 

To finish your day within the space, head for a meal at The Boathouse Lochside Restaurant. There are different nice picks within the space, however this one provides a wide-ranging menu together with the compulsory haggis and Scottish salmon. No matter you select, you may take pleasure in your meal searching over Scotland’s most well-known loch.

Fort William – the perfect base for a romantic break

I’ve given you many nice choices for romantic journeys from Fort William. It’s simple to flee into the wilds of Scotland from right here with out taking too lengthy to get there. 

You’ve additionally received boat journeys, charming cities and villages, nice eating places, and loads of ambiance. Castles, waterfalls, gorges, and Harry Potter… effectively, the well-known viaduct anyway.

The place are you going with the one you love if you attain Fort William?

In regards to the Writer: Graham Grieve is a Scottish journey blogger based mostly in Glasgow, with household in Fort William. Graham has spent the final 27 years exploring the Scottish Highlands and among the extra hidden locations in Scotland. You may hold updated with him at his weblog My Voyage Scotland.

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