West of Scotland

scotsbob

Inforapennyinforapound wrote: »

Can someone please give me an idea why some people are not too impressed with Fort William? I have never ventured there and am curious as to what the downside is.
Thanks

Beuatiful scenery and of course Ben Nevis.
However it is statistically one of the wettest places in Scotland.
Once you have walked up and back down the main street there is not a lot to do.
You will pay as much for a B+B as you would pay for a reasonable hotel with en suite on the continent.
On a nice sunny day enjoy the scenery, any other time give it a body swerve.
If you do get stuck there on a wet day and need an interesting game for the kiddies, try this one. Look at the price of a packet of shortbread in the supermarket (approx 0.65P)and then see who can spot the most expensive, equivalent size, in the numerous tourist shops. We found £6.25.

emiliah

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula is beautiful - you can either stay at a B&B or hotel there or do a round trip. If you take the Corran Ferry - 8 miles out of Fort William - travel through Strontian, then turn off at Salen down to the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, Sanna Bay etc, then back up through Acharacle, Glenuig and out at Lochailort which is on the Road to the Isles between Fort William and Mallaig

competitionscafe

Inforapennyinforapound wrote: »

Can someone please give me an idea why some people are not too impressed with Fort William? I have never ventured there and am curious as to what the downside is.
Thanks

It's not awful but it's very ordinary - given the location it could have been stunning but it has a busy road running right along the loch and the high street is one long pedestrianised street but you cannot see much of either the loch or the mountains from it. The outskirts are surrounded by rather drab housing. Most of the accommodation, restaurants, shops and pubs are very average.

You don't have to go far from Fort William to see some stunning scenery though - drive up Glen Nevis to the end of the road and walk through the gorge to the Steall waterfall - spectacular. Ben Nevis Inn near the Fort William end of Glen Nevis does decent food and the B&B next door (Achintee Farm) is good and run by lovely people (if you want a base somewhere near but not actually in Fort William). In clear weather it's also worth a drive up to the ski centre (Nevis Range) and taking the Gondola up to the cafe for some fabulous views.

My favourite places in the West of Scotland are:

Glencoe valley
Glen Etive
Glen Nevis valley
Isle of Mull and Iona
Cuillins and Quirang / Trotternish (both on the Isle of Skye) Boat trips from Elgol.
Glenelg and Arnisdale (and ferry journey across to Skye from Glenelg)
Knoydart.
Wester Ross, Gairloch, Lochinver and Torridon
Inverpolly/Assynt (north of Ullapool)
Fisherfield, Dundonnell, Little Loch Broom, Loch Maree
Sandwood Bay
Plockton (on the mainland near Skye bridge)
Applecross.

Some pictures of the scenery here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marksouthgate/galleries/72157622521352375/

nodwah

Inforapennyinforapound wrote: »

:eek:Clegs??????

Horseflies

Nasty:eek:

nodwah

can I put a shout in for Mull too - more fab beaches esp near iona, good hill walking and Balamory!

competitionscafe

Inforapennyinforapound wrote: »

:eek:Clegs??????

Clegs

A good reason for going to the Scottish Highlands in May (rather than June to September) is midge, cleg and deer ked avoidance!

Inforapennyinforapound

Thanks again.Great post competitionscafe

Inforapennyinforapound

Some great ideas and at the end of the month will be there.Route planned etc etc

One final question please.We are happy to pay,obviously,for must see sites but are there any FREE 'must sees' whilst we are in the north west/central areas.

Thanks in anticipation

jackieglasgow

If you're in or around Glasgow, the museums are free, and you must go to Kelvingrove, it's amazing! For events go to www.seeglasgow.com