Fort William

The outdoor capital of the UK and one of Scotland's most popular tourist destinations, Fort William is a picturesque town that lies at the foot of the country's tallest mountain.The surrounding countryside provides stunning views and a great many outdoor activities with mountain ranges, vast forests and the sea to explore. The town itself is a small rural community with a population of only around 10,000 people. Visitors are well-catered for with the town center boasting a wide variety of shops and boutiques as well as outdoor equipment centers and supermarkets. For dining, you have a number of options, from some of the best fish and chip shops to a number of more upmarket restaurants offering fine dining and using some of the best Scottish produce. Situated on a geological fault line, the surrounding topography is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Outdoor activity centers can be accessed for those new to outdoor activities while there are a number of walking guides and maps that will direct you to routes suitable for your walking and hiking experience. When the weather is prohibitive, there are a number of things to see and do both in the town itself and in the surrounding areas. You can visit the most remote pub in the British Isles, The Old Forge at Inverie, or visit the Ben Nevis Distillery and Visitors Center. In the town itself, the West Highland Museum is of interest to those looking to find out more about the area and St Andrew's Church is worth a viewing as well.