Lochaber, Fort William, Road to the Isles & Glenfinnan

The Stronlossit Inn is in Roybridge near Fort WIlliam in the heart of beautiful Lochaber.  We are 3 miles away from an essential supplier – the Glen Spean Brewery which provides The Stronlossit with an excellent range of Ales for the Bar and Restaurant.  Well worth a visit!

Glen Spean Brewery

Lochaber is, quite simply, a must visit for anyone wishing to see, experience and appreciate the very best of Scotland and its awesome diversity and beauty. From the most stunning mountain scenery in Scotland, to possibly the best quality range of outdoor pursuits anywhere in the UK, and certainly in Scotland – hence the term ‘The Outdoor Capital of Scotland’ – this remarkable area will leave you reeling in delight, and immediately instil a spirit of adventure.  10 miles from The Stronlossit Inn, Fort William is a huge centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis, and many other Munro mountains.

Golf under Ben Nevis

Stunning walking and climbing is available virtually from our doorstep. Lochaber Watersports not far away.  Great golf at Fort William and on superb small Highland courses notably Traigh. Excellent river and loch fishing. Deer stalking and shooting. The Farm riding centre at Torlundy. Sensational wildlife cruises on Loch Shiel. Nevis Range Mountain Gondola and Ski Resort. Memorable train journeys. And much much more. All amidst some of the wildest and most captivating scenery in the Scottish Highlands, in “Western Europe’s last great wilderness”, as Lochaber is known.

The Immortal and Beautiful Road to the Isles

The A830, more famously known as the ‘Road to the Isles’, is a road in Lochaber starting just a few miles West of the Stornlossit Inn, which connects Fort William to the port of Mallaig.

Adventure Sports

Here you will truly see some of the most spectacular scenery in the world – from sandy beaches to dramatic hills – green woodlands, heather moors, unforgettable sea views with magnificent sunsets over the Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna, Skye and the remote wilderness of Knoydart.

Experience the Jacobite steam train on the famous West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig. Explore our historic heritage, take a wildlife cruise or ferry trip to the Small Isles. You will enjoy local food and Highland hospitality all the way.

Famous historical events around Fort William and Lochaber – the history of Lochaber is fascinating and has its part to play in the history of the Jacobites, the resulting Battle of Culloden where the Rising came to an end, and the subsequent quoshing of traditional Clan life, the Clearances and of course Crofting.

Top visitor attractions in Fort William and Lochaber

1. Commando Memorial – a Category A listed monument in Scotland, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during World War II.

2. Glenfinnan Viaduct – a railway viaduct on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Lochaber, It was built between 1897 and 1901. Located at the top of Loch Shiel in the West Highlands of Scotland, the viaduct overlooks the Glenfinnan Monument and the waters of Loch Shiel.

3. Parallel Roads, Glen Roy – The “Parallel Roads” of Glen Roy are lake terraces that formed along the shorelines of an ancient ice dammed lake, from a distance they resemble man made roads running along the side of the Glen.

4. Monarch Country – to the west of the hotel, Monarch Country refers to the area of the Scottish Highlands featured in the BBC One drama series Monarch of the Glen.

5. Neptunes Staircase – a staircase lock comprising eight locks on the Caledonian Canal. It is the longest staircase lock in the United Kingdom, and lifts boats 64 feet (19.5 metres).

6. Kinlochleven and the Ice Factor – A must visit for adventure seekers of all ages. World’s biggest indoor ice climbing wall, Rock Climbing and New Aerial Adventure Course. Taster and skills classes every day.

7. Glencoe and Glencoe Village – the most famous and perhaps most impressively dramatic of all Scottish glens, the perfect scenic match for its dark history of the massacre of the Macdonalds.

8. Wildlife watching – Closely associated with this area is the golden eagle. Its home is the high moors, crags and mountain corries in many parts of the area. If you are very lucky you may also encounter the spectacular sea eagle in a few places on the west coast. Red kites, for example, are easily seen from the car. Ospreys are everyday birds in the nearby Cairngorms National Park and elsewhere.

9. Cille Choirill Church – A lovely building set in a peaceful location, offering wonderful views of the Great Glen.  To enter the church you can get a key from the gatekeeper’s house at the bottom of the hill. Used as a location during BBC Scotland’s series Monarch of the Glen.

10. Ben Nevis Distillery and Visitor Centre – Discover the secrets of whisky distilling at one of the oldest, licensed distilleries in Scotland, which dates back to 1825.

11. Inverlochy Castle – Originally dating back to the 13th century, Inverlochy Castle last played a part in Scottish and English history during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s. In 1645 the royalist Earl of Montrose routed the roundhead forces of the Campbell Chief Duke of Argyll at the second Battle of Inverlochy.

Top things to do in Roy Bridge, Fort William and Lochaber

1. Take the Mountain Track up Ben Nevis – this route is the standard ‘Tourist Route’ up the mountain. It is straightforward, if strenuous, by hillwalking standards.

2. A trip on the West Highland Line – Consistently voted the best train journey in the world, the Line from Glasgow up the west coast of Scotland is an incredibly scenic railway trip of lush green hills, mountains, lochs and valleys. Immortalised in film – in Trainspotting and as the site of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter series.

3. A trip on the Jacobite Steam Train in summer – during the warm summer months, a steam locomotive-hauled daily return service, the Jacobite, operates between Fort William and Mallaig. This is one very Scottish experience, not to be missed – and book early.

4. Golf on some lovely highland golf courses, including Fort William, and Traigh. Fort William Golf Course, 6217 yards, sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, amid breathtaking Highland scenery. Traigh is a stunning ‘Hidden Gem’ 9 hole golf course near Arisaig with fantastic coastal views.

5. A cruise on Loch Shiel – unique guided cruises aboard the historic MV Sileas, on the beautiful sheltered waters of Loch Shiel. Share the skipper Jim Michie’s fifteen years’ experience of spotting Golden Eagles, Red Deer, Black-throated Divers, plus a wide variety of other wildlife, while learning the history of this special, remote and unspoiled part of the Highlands of Scotland.

6. A day at nearby Highland Activities – enjoy a fantastic range of land and water sports including rafting, kayaking and gorge walking – and 4 x 4 driving, clay pigeon shooting, quad biking and archery.

7. A ride on the Nevis Range Gondola – The gondolas transport visitors effortlessly from 300ft up to 2150ft on the north face of Aonach Mor, the eighth highest mountain in Britain. The journey takes approximately 12 – 15 minutes each way, and each gondola can accommodate up to six people inside.

8. Attend a local Highland Games or Gathering – notable Highland Games nearby are at Lochaber, Arisaig and Glenfinnan

9. Watch a shinty match – The game has recently changed season from winter to summer, and matches take place most weekends throughout the warmer months. Fort William play at An Aird, Fort William , and Lochaber play at nearby Spean Bridge Park, Spean Bridge.

10. Glen Spean – see the beer being brewed. We are 3 miles away from the Glen Spean Brewery which provides The Stronlossit with an excellent range of Ales for the Bar and Restaurant.

11. On wheels – enjoy some of the most sensational big country touring in Scotland or anywhere in the UK – by car, by motor bike, or by cycle (including the Great Glen Cycle Route).