Scottish Highlands: Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness

The Wild North Of Scotland, With Glencoe'S Glacial Valley, Ben Nevis (1,345 M, The Highest Mountain In The British Isles), Fort William And The Great Glen To Loch Ness. Walking, Climbing, The Jacobite Steam Train And The Glenfinnan Viaduct. Weather Turns Fast And Midges Bite In Summer · Fort William, Scotland

The western Highlands around Fort William hold the biggest scenery in Britain. Glencoe is a glacial valley of steep rock walls, with the Three Sisters ridges on one side and the pointed peak of Buachaille Etive Mor at its head. In 1692 government soldiers killed members of the MacDonald clan here after living with them as guests, and the story still hangs over the glen. Ben Nevis, 1,345 m, is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Fort William is the base town, with the West Highland Way ending at its edge. Nearby the Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct. Further up the Great Glen lies Loch Ness, where boat trips run and Urquhart Castle ruins sit on the shore. There is no monster to find. Distances are large: Edinburgh and Glasgow are 3-4 hours away by road. Weather changes fast, midges bite from May to September, and many roads are single-track. This is mountain country, not a day out in a park.

Fort William, Glencoe and the Great Glen, in the western Highlands, about 220 km north-west of Edinburgh, Fort William, Scotland, United Kingdom

The glens, lochs and hills are open at all times and free to enter, so there are no gates and no closing day. Services are seasonal. Boat trips on Loch Ness and the Urquhart Castle site run longer hours from spring to autumn, with shorter days and some cancelled sailings in winter. The Jacobite steam train commonly runs in spring, summer and early autumn only, and is closed outside that season. Visitor centres, cafes and some hostels close for winter. Daylight is short from November to February, and hill paths are not lit. Confirm train dates, boat times, castle opening days and car park rules close to your trip.

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