Visitors are more than welcome to relax on Rosie’s veranda, enjoying the panoramic mountain views, the tranquility and, not least, the beautiful birdsong! But remember, we are also an ideal centre for walking, cycling, mountain climbing, ski-ing, wild swimming, canoeing and a host of other outdoor activities.
There’s so much to explore! Within just a few miles are Glen Roy’s remarkable Ice Age ‘parallel roads’ visited by Charles Darwin, Cille Choirill chapel, the dramatic Monessie Gorge, Laggan Dam, Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal, the Commando Memorial, Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig.
Places to Explore
Within 12 miles are Creag Meagaidh Nature Reserve, the Leanachan Forest with its many trails, Aonach Mor's ski slopes, gondola and downhill bike tracks, the stunning Glen Nevis and nestling at the foot of Ben Nevis, Fort William’s whisky distillery, supermarkets, new cinema and attractive high street shops and restaurants.
Travel further afield Travel further afield and explore the wonderful west coast. Take the dramatic Road to the Isles, calling at Glenfinnan (25 miles) famous for its ‘Harry Potter’ viaduct, the white sands of Arisaig (44 miles) and Morar (49 miles) with their magical views to Eigg and Rum and on to the fishing village and ferry port of Mallaig (50 miles), renowned for its fish and chip shops, artisan bakery, fresh fish supplies and busy harbour as well as being the final stop for the West Highland Steam Train.
Travel further north
Take the A82 north from Spean Bridge. Invergarry (18 miles) is a village at the foot of Glengarry on the main route between Fort William and Inverness through the Great Glen. Loch Oich is one of the natural attractions of the area, as is the ruined 17th Century Invergarry Castle on the shore of Loch Oich. The old railway line between Spean Bridge and Fort Augustus is now a footpath by the side of the loch, though recently a short section of the line and the station platform have been restored.
Fort Augustus
Further along the A82, this attractive village (25 miles) lies at the south-west end of the famous Loch Ness. There are plenty of lovely shops to explore, hotels and cafés to eat in - and a great fish and chip shop for takeaways. There was a beautiful Benedictine abbey here which has now been transformed into holiday apartments. Most of the original fort was incorporated into the abbey which was built in 1876. The community of monks left in 1998. You can walk along the impressive staircase of five canal locks which lead down to Loch Ness from where you can take a boat ride out onto the water in search of the elusive monster!
Travel further south
A trip south will take you to lots of wonderful places. A 15 minute drive from Fort William down the A82 takes you to the Corran Ferry (21 miles); from there, a ten minute crossing lands you in Ardgour and allows you access to the whole of the beautiful Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
Or you can carry on along the A82 to Ballachulish (27 miles), to Kinlochleven by taking the ‘tourist route’ around the loch, or to Glen Coe (29 miles), Rannoch Moor (40 miles) and Glen Etive (50 miles). After leaving the Ballachulish Bridge, you can also follow the A828 to Oban (56 miles), the busy ferry port with its many shops and eating places and access to so many of the wonderful Hebridean islands.
Travel east!
A trip through Roy Bridge and onwards along the A86 takes you past Loch Laggan dam, past Creag Meagaidh Nature Reserve and onwards towards the townships of Newtonmore and Kingussie. At the far end of Loch Laggan, on the Southern shore you will see the handsome Ardverikie Castle (Balmoral in Netflix’s period drama ‘The Crown’ and Glenbogle in BBC’s ‘Monarch of the Glen’. Look out also for the famous vast white sand beach at the head of the loch and the attractive gatehouse on the road leading to the castle.
However, just before the village of Laggan which lies beside the River Spey in Badenoch, you can take the A889 road to Dalwhinnie (32 miles) which is famous for its whisky distillery and its access to the A9. You then have the choice of travelling north towards Inverness, or south towards the Waters of Bruar (The House of Bruar store is well worth visiting) and several beautiful Perthshire villages such as Blair Atholl (56 miles) with its beautiful castle and delightful working water mill and tearoom where stoneground oatmeal and flours are milled and sold, Pitlochry (63 miles) with its renowned Festival Theatre and Dunkeld (75 miles) with its beautiful cathedral standing proudly on the north bank of the River Tay.
If you continue along the A86 without turning off to Dalwhinnie, you will eventually arrive at Newtonmore and Kingussie (capital of Badenoch).You will now be well inside the Cairngorms National Park; local attractions include Newtonmore’s Highland Folk Museum, Britain’s first open air museum and Kingussie’s nearby Highland Wildlife Park. From Kingussie, you can make the 14 mile journey to Aviemore where there are numerous attractions, too many to list here! But do try to visit the lovely railway station!
