We are off to Ft William for a week at the end of the month staying in a cottage.
Looking for ideas for days out. We have a dog with us and my wife will be 5 months pregnant so that rules out too strenuous climbs.
Any ideas for walks, visits, cakes shops and tea rooms etc?
Obviously I have a few days of biking penned in the diary inc a days skills day at Nevis Range.
Go to Ardnamurchan
Sanna Bay is beautiful, Singing Sands even more so. You walk there around Kentra Bay, and if you do it midweek you'll have the entire golden sandy beach to yourself
Tioram Castle is a nice stroll.
cheers Pook - that looks ideal - I have a plan for sanna bay and a day trip over to tobermory too so that is in the same area.
Keep them coming folks.
its a nice stroll to steall falls at the top end of Glen Nevis though the Cable bridge might be a struggle to cross when with child!
That cable bridge is even more of a struggle since it broke.
anyone mind if i bounce this for a different crowd...
Also - has anyone done the Small isle cruises to rum eigg etc - can you take dogs?
Have a (disposable) barbie on the White Sands of Morar, & when you get to Arisag hang a left to Rhu & go seal spotting.
+ what Pook said.
+1 for Glen Nevis & the walk through the Gorge
The drive to Oban is lovely and quite a few nice places to stop on the way and its a lovely town.
The Crannog Restaurant on the waterfront of Fort Bill is lovely for sea food with beautiful views but you'll have to book. Number 4 in the town square is also nice for food.
Does anyone know of a good fishmongers in the area where I can get scallops and mussels?
Err.. you don't need to buy mussels up there, they're free.
Just thought of another good day out, bit of a car ride but hey! Go to Kinlochhourn. Don't ask why, just go.
We spent a week camping in Arisaig last August Stunning place Small isle criuse to Eigg was fantastic Not sure of the rules on dogs tho' Must check out the beach at Camusdaraig (excuse spelling) and the film Local Hero! Fish 'n' Chips in Malaig ?
Fort William to Mallaig steam train ride?
If you go out for a walk near a forest watch out for Clegg flies. They hurt and they are liberal. 🙂
Old station restaurant in Spean bridge was lovely last time we were there. Gondola up Aonoch mor is good even if you aint riding back down. If you are heading around to Morar, Make sure you go to Camusdarrach beach, and then lunch/dinner in a restaurant named cnoc na far between back of keppoch and Arisaig.
Fort William is a bit of a hole IMO, but lots of good places within easy reach. Hope you have a good time and the good lady keeps well.
Fishmongers - Andy Race in Mallaig.
Pleased to hear about old station as we are staying in spean bridge. Last year we did applecross area but felt we did a bit too much driving and didnt make most of area. Cant wait to get up there now. Thanks for all the ideas so far.
Let me know what the old station is like now, much appreciated.
If you're staying in Spean Bridge there is Russell's, supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the area.
Loch Leven Seafood Cafe is better than the Crannog for seafood, plus it has a shop for afterwards.
Holly Tree in Kentallen is fantastic for grub if you go to Oban.
There's a new Go Ape type thing at Aonoch Mor/Nevis Range, not sure if it's open yet but looks fun.
Neptunes Staircase is quite interesting for a half hour stroll.
If you're in Spean park at the Comando Memorial and look for the new path at the bottom of the car park, starts of heading west, it's a loop not too long perfect for preggers missus and dog, goes down spean gorge and passed highbridge, quite interesting local history, comes back onto the A82 then a walk back up the pavement to the car, was dead quiet last time I did it,
PJ.
Russels in Spean Bridge is tremendous. Loch Leven Seafood Cafe is even better imo, although I am a massive seafood fan.
ANyone mind if I give this a shameless bump? ...
Fort Augustus is good for a half day. A staircase of locks on the Caledonian Canal, spot of lunch. Stroll about if not raining.
Used to love taking the trawler in with the pleasure cruisers....oh the little worried faces.
Oban is good for a stroll sea food seller on the pier near the ferry terminal is good.
Ooooh taking note of Fish Monger up that way in a couple of weeks time.
chorlton - Member
"Fort William to Mallaig steam train ride?"
The best bit of one of the best train rides in the world. Fantastic even in a regular service.
Don't plan too much time in Fort William itself, there's nothing there at all!
Had a look at that steam train -£60 return for two - isnt too bad really.
The beach at Arisaig is great. Worth a look.
Also there is a nice tea room by the side of the road at Glencoe. I can't remember the name, but it is a big white building with a craft shop at the front.
Also discovered the Mallaig and Morar Highland Games are on when I'm there. The website isnt up to much - can you take dogs to these games?
I might even compete in some events for a laugh!
Ive stayed in Spean bridge for about 4 summers on the bounce, superb place to stay, the forest at the back of the station has some superb singletrack, loved it, a blast to Nevis Range through the forest, and its fairly well trail marked as well.
For a quick takeaway the chip shop at the side of the local bar does a great Tikka and the fish just tastes fresher! Last year the gift place had burnt down, not sure if its rebuilt yet, we stayed at Burnbank lodges, the couple there really look after you, somewhere safe for the bikes and the river just at the foot of the lodges, would be going this year but someone wants to sit on a beach for 14 days!