A bit about Fort William

History

This picturesque Highland town takes its name from the fort built in the 17th Century on the orders of William of Orange, the Dutch prince and English king, to help control the rebellious Highland clans. It featured heavily in the tumultuous wars between the clans and later the infamous Wars of the Three Kingdoms then entered a much calmer period in the 20th Century when it became an important tourist centre.

Location and Travel

Fort William stands on the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe at the southern end of the Great Glen which runs for 62 miles to Inverness on the edge of Moray Firth. Despite its relative remoteness, the town enjoys extremely good travel connections, by road via the A82, by rail on the Caledonian Sleeper to London and the West Highland Line between Glasgow and Mallaig, by several bus and coach services and also via the beautiful Caledonian Canal. From Glasgow International Airport there is a Stagecoach bus link. The town is now long- established as the ideal base from which to explore the glorious scenery of the Western Highlands.

Local Amenities

Often described as the Outdoor Capital of the UK, Fort William has breath-taking sites and unique activities in abundance. For the nature lover, there are sandy beaches, dramatic mountains, including Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, the enchanting landscapes of Glencoe and of course the beautiful lochs and waterways which characterise this region.

One of the great railway journeys in the world, on the Jacobite Steam Train, runs for 84 miles from Fort William to Mallaig, seven days a week. There are ample opportunities to indulge in outdoor activities including watersports, mountaineering, cycling and kayaking. You can also join an overnight paddle trip, or go on safari for the chance to see all of Scotland’s ‘big five’ animals: red deer, red squirrels, otters, harbour seals and the majestic golden eagle.

The town centre was pedestrianised in the 1990s so it is a great place to wander, popping in and out of its independent shops and eating places which are all concentrated in and around the high street. There are several art galleries and museums in the heart of Fort William and stretching out of town along the bank of the Loch.

For eating out, few places can beat Crannog Seafood Restaurant perched over the loch on Town Pier, unmistakable with its distinctive red roof. It serves fresh locally caught fish, and also runs pleasure cruises around Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil on its historic vessel Souter’s Lass. The Airds Hotel, an 18th century coaching inn at nearby Port Appin, also offers the best of Scottish fine dining.

Providing HR Support to Fort William Businesses

Fort William is an idyllic gem of a town and home to many local businesses which The HR Dept provides a full range of expert HR services for. From recruitment, contracts and handbooks  to training, and even support in employment tribunals, at The HR Dept, we have the skills and experience to take on any challenge and provide you with a fast, effective solution. 

Contact us today by phone or email to learn all about the range of services we provide.