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A Wealth of Things to See & Do
Glenfinnan is perfectly placed to make the most of all the attractions and activities that the West Highlands has to offer.
Closest to Home
There's a fair few things in Glenfinnan itself to keep you occupied. A must-see is the Glenfinnan Monument and National Trust Visitors' Centre. Climb to the top of the monument to get a stunning view of Loch Shiel and the Viaduct. Entry costs just £3 for an adult and £8 for a family. For more information and bookings, call 0844 493 2221, or check out www.nts.org.uk/Property/26
A short walk away is the Glenfinnan Railway Museum www.glenfinnanstationmuseum.co.uk, which delights visitors with a peak back into the romantic age of rail travel in the West Highlands whilst remaining an operational station - with several trains a day as well as the famous Jacobite Steam Train during the summer months www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/Jacobite_Home.cfm The train is perhaps now also known as the 'Harry Potter Train' being the train that whisks Harry off to Hogwarts! A memorable trip on the steam train will delight adults and kids alike - take in the views to beautiful Mallaig and stop off for some fish and chips!
And if travelling by rail is not your thing, what about by water? You can't miss the opportunity to get out onto Loch Shiel, one of the most serene and untouched Lochs in Scotland, unbounded by busy roads and with the promise of catching a glimpse of our famous Golden Eagle. Highland Cruises run various itineraries on the loch most days and the you can catch the boat a short walk from the cottage. Check out www.highlandcruises.co.ukfor more information.
Walking
The area around Glenfinnan and Lochaber offer lots of opportunities for exploring and taking in the scenery on foot. Click on www.road-to-the-isles.org.uk/walks.htmlfor walks in the area, and www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliamfor information on routes slightly further afield. Fort William in particular, is famous for being the last stop on the West Highland Way, and you can't miss out on the scenery in breath-taking Glencoe.
Golf
We have a variety of challenging and beautiful courses within easy reach of the cottage:
Ballachulish - Dragons Tooth Golf Course - A beautiful 9 hole parkland course overlooking Loch Linnhe and set beneath the mountains of Glencoe
www.dragonstooth.co.uk
Fort William Golf Club - Set directly below Ben Nevis, Fort William Golf Club is a challenging but magically scenic course.
Traigh Golf Course - Traigh Golf Course is set in one of the most beautiful parts of the West Highlands of Scotland, just north of Arisaig, on the Road to the Isles. The word Traigh (pronounced 'try') means 'beach' in Gaelic, and a series of sandy beaches run alongside the course. Views to the Hebridean islands of Eigg, Rum and Skye. www.traighgolf.co.uk
Skiing
We are lucky enough in Lochaber to have two ski centres, offering skiing for all standards from beginner to expert, and both with very different, but stunning, scenery. You can hire skis or a board and take lessons. And, although we're not that high up, both centres and the surrounding mountains have proper ‘winter weather’. There's often snow at the centres well into April! Check www.nevisrange.co.ukand www.glencoemountain.co.ukfor up-to-date information before you set off.
Adrenaline
There's no shortage of activities if your version of taking it easy means speed or daring. Whether it is rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, white water rafting, canoeing, sailing, quad biking, canyoning - you name it, you can do it here.
An overview of all the activities the area has to offer can be found at www.outdoorcapital.co.uk Also, www.highlandactivities.co.uk provides a diverse group of activities to try out.
Glenfinnan and the surrounding area are spoilt for choice when it comes to getting wet! Sheltered sea lochs, island hopping, secret anchorages or open sea, we have all this and more. Or enjoy fantastic, varied sailing around the stunning West coast of Scotland. The Lochaber area has a lively yachting scene. Lochaber Yacht Club hosts a series of Open Regattas and hugely popular Travellers’ events throughout the summer. See about chartering a yacht at www.lochaberwatersports.co.uk
If your thing is canoeing, The Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) white water guidebook lists more than 30 rivers in the area, ranging from easy-going to full-on expert-only ones - check out www.canoescotland.com
Or let someone else take the strain. As well as Highland cruises running trips from Loch Shiel, further afield, Bruce Watt Sea Cruisesallows exploration of the Loch Nevis and Knoydart areas. The boat stops at Inverie where Britain's most remote pub - The Old Forge- takes centre stage! Board Souters' Lass at Crannog Cruisesfor a relaxing trip down Loch Linnhe from Fort William, orjoin the seafarers on the Sheerwater and cruise to the Inner Hebrides of Eigg, Muck & Rum from Arisaig allowing time ashore to explore regular close sightings of whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, eagles, otters and much more http://www.arisaig.co.uk/
If you like to be under the water Lochaline Dive Centrecan't be missed. From here experience easy access to the clear waters of the Sound of Mull, which boasts some of Britain's best-known wreck dives, in addition to an abundance of drift, shallow, scenic, and shore dive sites.
There are also a couple of swimming pools within striking distance of the cottage, at Mallaig and Fort William - the latter sporting a 25m pool and flume!
The Lochaber area has some of the most diverse wild brown trout loch
and stream fishing and Wild Atlantic Salmon river fishing in Scotland.
The best waters are invariably for Fly Fishing only though there is
some spin fishing availability. No Fishing Licence is required in
Scotland though most fresh water fishing requires a permit which can
cost from £5.00GBP per day to much more on better quality waters. For full information on fishing in the area visit, in person, or online, The Rod and Gun Shop, Fort William. The cottage itself also has fishing rights on Loch Shiel. Please contact us for more information.
As well as the historic Glenfinnan monument being right on our doorstep, we are surrounded by an area steeped in splendid Scottish history. There are old castles aplenty in the area. Nearby Castle Tioram is closely linked with the beginnings of the Clanranald branch of the McDonalds and is only accessible at low tide - see www.moidart.org.uk/datasets/tioram.htm for more information.
Along the A830 in the other direction lies old Inverlochy Castle one of the most important castles in Scottish history - and one which has been the backdrop for two major historical events, the first and second battles of Inverlochy. Originally dating back to the 13th century, Inverlochy Castle last played a part in Scottish and English history during the Civil Wars of the 1640's. Undiscovered Scotland has more on the history of Inverlochy Castle, including an artist's impression of how it once may have looked.
Further afield, take a trip to the famous Castle Stalker - most recently famous for appearing in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A picturesque 4-storey keep located on a tidal islet in Loch Laich, it is one of the best preserved medieval tower houses in Scotland. Check out www.Castlestalker.com for more details of its turbulent history.
A wee bit further away, but worth the extra milage, is possibly one of the most iconic castles in Scotland - Eilean Donan. It has one of the most romantic locations and has been the star of many movies! Originally build as defence against the Vikings, you can learn more about its turbulent history at www.eileandonancastle.com
A trip to the Highlands would not be complete without experiencing the majestic splendour of Glencoe and learning about the infamous massacre of the Macdonalds by the Campbells. The area remains one of the most eerie and atmospheric areas of Scotland. Electric Scotland gives a pretty comprehensive account of the events of the time.
Glenfinnan is situated just 15 minutes from the town of Fort William - and on the way enjoy a wee detour to the wonderful Ben Nevis Distillery www.bennevisdistillery.com Take a guided tour and indulge in a wee dram at one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. Nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis itself there is no better location to enjoy the the Uisge beatha - the water of life.
Five minutes from the distillery is the wonderful Nevis Range, where you can take a trip to Aonach Mor on a Gondola, enjoying the amazing views down the Great Glen. On a clear day this spectacular view can extend as far as the Inner Hebrides. Carry on exploring once you reach the top, or stop in the cafe for a hot chocolate and home baking. The range is also home to fantastic mountain biking trails, skiing and boarding.
For a very unusual attraction, stop off at Neptune's Staircasewww.waterscape.com/in-your-area/highlands-and-islands/places-to-go/343/neptunes-staircase part of the Caledonian Canal, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. A staircase lock, it is the longest in the UK and created by the master engineer, Thomas Telford.
Just along the road from the Caledonian Canal is another unusual attraction - Treasures of the Earth (www.treasuresoftheearth.co.uk). Here you will find Europes most amazing collection of crystals, gemstones and fossils. Another eclectic collection can be found in the centre of Fort William, in the West Highland Museum. It has a great collection of local artifacts and important Jacobite relics.
Take a truly spectacular drive to the Ardnamurchan peninsula and say that you have been to the most westerly part of mainland Britain! Stop off at Ardnamurchan Lighthouse - at 36 metres high, and still operational, it is the only one in the world to be designed in the Egyptian style. The engine room and workshop, including the air-powered fog horn have been beautifully restored. On the way back drop into the Natural History Centre, whose focal point is an interactive exhibition housed in the 'Living Building' where you can discover many innovative elements as well as enjoy an audio-visual presentation.
Alternatively a drive along the Road to the Isles delights the senses with lots of great things to see and do. In Arisaig drop in at The Land, Sea and Islands Centre, which opened in July 1999 in what used to be an old smiddy in the middle of the village. The Centre includes a viewing room overlooking the Small Isles, a souvenir shop, artefacts on crofting and fishing, a rebuilt forge, wildlife exhibitions and information about wartime activities in the village when Arisaig House and other buildings in this area were used as by the SOE (Special Operations Executive) during the Second World War.
The old coast road from Arisaig north to Morar is one of the most memorable in Scotland - made so by the amazing seascape formed by a series of rock-framed white beaches and stunning views across a turquoise sea.This stretch of coast is known as the Silver Sands of Morar.
The Road to the Isles finishes at Mallaig, where you can jump on a ferry to the Isles of Muck, Rum, Eigg, Canna and Skye. Or indeed, potter around the village itself. In the busy bay you are likely to see many fishing boats and sometimes the local lifeboat. To learn of the centuries of struggle to scrape a living from the land and the sea, and the local population's arrival to found this thriving fishing port - visit the Mallaig Heritage Centre.
Relaxation
We also strongly recommend doing absolutely nothing. The cottage is a little haven of peace and quiet. Make the most of it by taking a book into the garden, having a wee snooze or a long bath!
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