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The
Area
Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge ©
RWD
The rugged country around Spean Bridge
was the training ground for the Commandos during the Second
World War.
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Spean Bridge
The Highland village of Spean
Bridge, named after the structure built there by Thomas Telford,
is found where the Great Glen meets Glen Spean, some 10 miles
to the NE of Fort William. The village nestles amongst the
foothills of Britain's highest mountains, and some of the
best views of Ben Nevis and its substantial neighbours
can be seen in the area. Glen Spean stretches eastwards from
Spean Bridge, towards Roy Bridge and Glen Roy Nature Reserve.
The Great Glen, or "Glen Mor", opens up to the NE and SW of
the village. The area makes an ideal holiday destination,
whether you come for the walking, climbing, mountain biking,
fishing, white water canoeing, riding, golf, skiing, any of
the other numerous activities available locally, or simply
to relax and soak up the beautiful Highland scenery and warm
local hospitality. |
| West Highland
Railway & Road to the Isles
This single track line is often described
as one of the most scenic in the world and has been featured
in all the Harry Potter movies. From Fort William the line
travels south through majestic lochs and moors to Glasgow.
North from Fort William it passes through equally beautiful
scenery towards the fishing port of Mallaig at the
end of the line. During the summer months you can enjoy this
journey in truly nostalgic style by traveling on the Jacobite
Steam Train, now made famous as the Hogwarts Express.
Glenfinnan monument, road to the isles
©
RWD
The road between Fort William and Mallaig is known as
the Road to the Isles, Mallaig being the starting point
for journeys to many of the Western Isles. The road journey
is also well worth making for the scenery and a visit to the
Glenfinnan Monument. This commemorates the site of
the raising of Bonnie Prince Charlie's standard and the rallying
of the clans at the start of the Jacobite Rebellion in 1745.
You will also find the brilliant White Sands of Morar
and the lovely beach of Camusdaroch on this route.
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Ben Nevis
A fifteen minute drive from Spean Bridge
will bring you to the foot of Britain's highest mountain.
At 4406ft, the walk up Ben Nevis - the mountain with its head
in the clouds - is not for the faint hearted, but is well
worth the effort for the views on a clear day.
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...and a little further afield, but all within easy
reach of a day trip:
Isle of Skye
A visit to the "Misty Isle" is a must
if you're in the area for a few days. Skye can be reached by ferry
from Mallaig or by the bridge at Kyle. The road to the bridge will
take you past the famous Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich.
A day trip from Spean Bridge to Skye will give you a real feel for
this spectacular island.
Ardnamurchan Peninsula
Yet more majestic scenery awaits you on this
peninsula, the far point of which is the most westerly on the
British mainland. The easiest way onto Ardnamurchan is by the
small car ferry at Corran, which takes you across Loch Linnhe. |
Castle Tioram, Ardnamurchan
© RWD |
| Loch Ness &
Inverness
Traveling NE from Fort William on the A82 will take you along
the Great Glen and the famous Loch Ness with a chance
to see the elusive monster, Nessie. Don't miss Urquhart
Castle with its classic lochside position. Wonderful
views of the loch and castle can be gained from the visitor
centre here.
The City of Inverness sits astride the River Ness and is
the capital of the Highlands. Quality shopping, good restaurants
and the Culloden battlefield (1746) is nearby.
Loch Ness from Fort
Augustus ©
RWD
Monarch of the Glen
Country
A few miles to the east of Spean Bridge, you
reach Ardverikie House, the setting for the recent BBC television
series Monarch
of The Glen. The magnificent scenery that formed the backdrop
for the filming of this series is all close by.
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