Fort William

Fort William, town, Highland unitary authority, north-western Scotland. Fort William is located on the west coast of Scotland, at the head of Loch Linnhe and at the southern entrance to the Caledonian Canal. Ben Nevis (1,343 m/4,406 ft), the highest peak in the British Isles, towers over the town. Fort William is an important tourism centre for the western Highlands, and a base for climbers, walkers, and fishers. A modern ski resort has been built nearby at Aonach Mor, served by a gondola uplift system. The town is also associated with some of the most scenic roads and railway lines in the British Isles—notably, the road and railway from Fort William to Mallaig (the “Road to the Isles”), the road from Fort William to Spean Bridge, and the West Highland Line railway from London to Fort William, which has been threatened with closure. Various industries are located in and near Fort William. Industries include an aluminium-processing plant, whisky distilleries, fish-processing, and saw and paper mills. The electricity that powers the aluminium plant, and most of the town, is generated in the hydroelectric power station on Loch Treig 25 km (15 mi) away on the other side of Ben Nevis.

The fort from which the town takes its name was built in 1690 by order of William III to keep rebellious Highland clans in check. It replaced an earlier fort built c. 1654 but which was sacked and destroyed soon afterwards. William III’s sturdier version withstood attacks by Jacobite rebels in 1715 and 1745. It was demolished in 1855 to make way for the new railway line. The West Highland Museum, containing many relics of the Jacobite uprisings, is situated in Fort William. Some 5 km (3 mi) north of the town, at Banavie, is Neptune’s Staircase—eight linked locks on the Caledonian Canal. They were built by Thomas Telford to overcome the problem of the steep descent between Loch Lochy and Loch Eil; in all, the locks take the canal down 27 m (90 ft) in less than 3 km (2 mi). Other attractions include Fort William’s annual Lochaber Highland Games, and the race up Ben Nevis and back using the south-face footpath. The race is held in September, and begins and ends in Fort William. Population 10,391 (1991).