View source for Fort William, Scotland

{{short description|Town in the Highlands of Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| gaelic_name = An Gearasdan
| official_name = Fort William
| static_image_name = Panorama_de_la_ville_de_fort_william.jpg
| static_image_caption = Fort William Settlement
| static_image_width = 250px
| population = 15,757
| population_ref = ({{United Kingdom statistics year|ScotSettlement}})<ref>{{Scotland settlement population citation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Fort William (Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information | url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/scotland/highland/S52000260__fort_william/ }}</ref>
| community_scotland = Fort William
| unitary_scotland = [[Highland (council area)|Highland]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch]]
| country = Scotland
| sovereign_state = 
| coordinates = {{coord|56.8198|-5.1052|region:GB_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference = NN 10584 74114
| map_type = Highland
| post_town = FORT WILLIAM
| postcode_area = PH
| postcode_district = PH33
| dial_code = 01397
| edinburgh_distance_mi = 134
| london_distance_mi = 512
| website = 
| hide_services = 
| type = Town
}}

'''Fort William'''{{efn|{{langx|gd|An Gearasdan}} {{IPA|gd|ən ˈkʲɛɾəs̪t̪ən|}}; "The Garrison"; formerly {{langx|gd|Baile Mairi}} and {{lang|gd|Gearasdan dubh Inbhir-Lochaidh}}; {{lit|The Black Garrison of Inverlochy}},;<ref>Roger Hutchinson (2010), ''Father Allan: The Life and Legacy of a Hebridean Priest'', Birlinn Limited. Page 10.</ref><br />{{langx|sco|The Fort}}, formerly {{lang|sco|Maryburgh}}<ref>Roger Hutchinson (2010), ''Father Allan: The Life and Legacy of a Hebridean Priest'', Birlinn Limited. Page 10.</ref>}} is a town in the [[Lochaber]] region of the [[Scottish Highlands]], located on the eastern shore of [[Loch Linnhe]] in the [[Highland (council area)|Highland Council]] of [[Scotland]].

At the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]], Fort William had a population of 15,757, making it the second-largest settlement both in the Highland council area and in the whole of the Scottish Highlands; only the city of [[Inverness]] has a larger population.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/695/council_information_performance_and_statistics/165/highland_profile_-_key_facts_and_figures/2 |title=Highland profile – key facts and figures}}</ref>

Fort William is a major tourist centre with [[Glen Coe]] just to the south, {{lang|gd|[[Ben Nevis]] and [[Aonach Mòr]]|italic=no}} to the east, and [[Glenfinnan]] to the west. It is the start and end of the [[Road to the Isles]]. It is a huge centre for [[hillwalking]] and [[climbing]] due to its proximity to Ben Nevis, the largest mountain in Scotland and the [[United Kingdom]], and many other [[Munro]]s. It is also known for its nearby downhill mountain bike track. 

It is the start/end of both the [[West Highland Way]] (a walk/cycleway, [[Milngavie]] – Fort William) and the [[Great Glen Way]] (a walk/cycleway, Fort William – Inverness).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owen |first=Lisa |date=2023-12-02 |title=A hiker's guide to Fort William, Scotland |url=https://littleadventurertravels.com/destinations/europe/a-hikers-guide-to-fort-william-scotland/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=The Little Adventurer |language=en-AU}}</ref>

Around 726 people (7.33% of the population) can speak [[Scottish Gaelic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.linguae-celticae.org/dateien/Gaidhlig_Local_Studies_Vol_19_Loch_Aber_an_Ear_Ed_II.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403194457/http://www.linguae-celticae.org/dateien/Gaidhlig_Local_Studies_Vol_19_Loch_Aber_an_Ear_Ed_II.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-03 |url-status=usurped |title=Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) Local Studies |work=Population figures |publisher=Linguæ Celticæ |date=September 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2012 }}</ref>

==Origins==
The earliest recorded settlement on the site is a [[Oliver Cromwell|Cromwellian]] wooden fort, known as the Garrison of Inverlochy, built in 1654 as a base for the [[New Model Army]] to "pacify" [[Clan Cameron]] after the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]].<ref>Visit Fort William Ltd., {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170805222251/https://www.visitfortwilliam.co.uk/history-and-culture-of-fort-william-in-the-highlands-of-scotland/the-original-fort-william-a-defensive-wooden-structure-and-barracks Old Fort William And Cromwellian Barracks]}}</ref> The post-[[Glorious Revolution|1688 revolution]] fort was named Fort William after [[William III of England|William of Orange]], who ordered that it be built to control some of the [[Scottish clan]]s.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140711080923/http://www.visitfortwilliam.co.uk/history-and-culture-of-fort-william-in-the-highlands-of-scotland Lochaber History & Culture]}}  Visit Fort William, Scotland (Tourist information).</ref> The settlement that grew around it was called Maryburgh, after his wife [[Mary II of England]]. This settlement was later renamed Gordonsburgh, and then Duncansburgh before being renamed Fort William, this time after [[Prince William, Duke of Cumberland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.scot/Gaelic/placenamesF-J.pdf|title=Faddoch (Ross), An Fhadaich|access-date=2019-05-10|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116011532/http://www.parliament.scot/Gaelic/placenamesF-J.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

There have been various suggestions over the years to rename the town (for example, to Invernevis).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/place-name-of-the-week-fort-william-an-gearasdan-1-4323009|title=Place name of the week: Fort William - An Gearasdan|website=www.scotsman.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510222036/https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/place-name-of-the-week-fort-william-an-gearasdan-1-4323009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The origin of the Gaelic name for Fort William, ''{{lang|ga|An Gearasdan}}'', is not recorded but could be a [[loanword]] from the English ''garrison'', having entered common usage some time after the royal garrison was established during the reign of William of Orange, or perhaps after the earlier Cromwellian fort.<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 Gaelic Places Names & Their Meanings |url=https://www.visitscotland.com/inspiration/culture/gaelic-place-names |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=VisitScotland |language=en-gb}}</ref>

==History==
Historically, the Fort William area of [[Lochaber]] was old [[Clan Chattan]] and then [[Clan Cameron]] country, and there were a number of mainly Cameron settlements in the area (such as [[Blarmacfoldach]]). Before the building of the fort, [[Inverlochy, Highland|Inverlochy]] was the main local settlement and was also the site of two battles—the [[Battle of Inverlochy (1431)|first Battle of Inverlochy]] in 1431 and the [[Battle of Inverlochy (1645)|second Battle of Inverlochy]] in 1645.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=BTL34|desc=Battle of Inverlochy I|access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=BTL24 |desc=Battle of Inverlochy II|access-date=11 April 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

[[File:Fortwilliam.jpg|thumbnail|Fort William from [[Loch Linnhe]].]]
[[File:(Nevis Bridge, Fort William, Scotland) (LOC) (3450341690).jpg|thumb|"Nevis Bridge, Fort William, Scotland", ca. 1890–1900.]]
The town grew in size as a settlement when the fort was constructed to control the population after [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s invasion during the [[Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms|Wars of the Three Kingdoms]], and then to suppress the [[Jacobite risings]] after the 1688 [[Glorious Revolution|overthrow of the House of Stuart]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jacobites.org.uk/ipad/storymap/index.html | title=Jacobite Rebellions - 1745 Story Map }}</ref>

During the [[Jacobite rising of 1745|1745 Jacobite Rising]], known as the Forty-Five, Fort William was besieged for two weeks by the Jacobite forces, from 20 March to 3 April 1746. However, although the Jacobites had captured both of the other forts in the chain of three [[Great Glen]] fortifications ([[Fort Augustus]] and the original [[Fort George, Highland|Fort George]]), they failed to take Fort William.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Jacobites |url=https://www.nts.org.uk/learning/adult-learning/jacobites |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=National Trust for Scotland |language=en}}</ref> [[Fort William Sheriff Court]] held its first hearing in 1794.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Ze0GAAAAYAAJ |title= Lochaber in War & Peace Being a Record of Historical Incidents, Legends, Traditions & Folk-lore with Notes on the Topography & Scenic Beauties of the Whole District |first= William T. |last=Kilgour |year= 1908 |page=65|publisher=Alexander Gardner|quote= A Sheriff Court was established at Fort William towards the end of the 18th century, for the trial of civil and criminal cases arising in the Lochaber district, and, so far as records exist, the earliest civil action occurred in 1794.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=MKNnAAAAMAAJ |title= Lochaber A Historical Guide|first=Paula|last= Martin |year= 2005|publisher=Birlinn |page=47|isbn= 978-1-84158-241-2|quote=It was in around 1790 that the sheriff court was established.}}</ref>

In 1934, the [[Laggan Dam]] on the [[River Spean]] was completed as part of the [[Lochaber hydroelectric scheme]] by [[Balfour Beatty]] for the [[British Aluminium Company]]. The supervising engineers were the firm of C. S. Meik and William Halcrow, now known as the [[Halcrow Group]].<ref name=hs>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB6835|desc=Lochaber Hydroelectric Scheme and Aluminium Smelter, Loch Laggan Dam|cat=A|access-date=27 March 2019}}</ref> The dam was built to power the [[aluminium smelter]].

During the [[World War II|Second World War]], Fort William was the home of {{HMS|St Christopher|shore establishment|6}}, which was a training base for Royal Navy [[British Coastal Forces of World War II|Coastal Forces]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMS ST CHRISTOPHER, COASTAL FORCES TRAINING BASE, FORT WILLIAM, 1939-1945 |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205226721 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Imperial War Museums |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Ben Nevis. From FWVL.jpg|thumb|right|Ben Nevis viewed from Neptune's Staircase]]
Fort William Town Hall, which started life as an 18th-century church, was converted for municipal use in 1881. It was burnt down in 1975.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA|desc=Fort William, Cameron Square, Cameron Centre|num=276181|num2=NN17SW 66|access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ambaile.org.uk/asset/14251/1/EN14251-cameron-square-fort-william/|title=Cameron Square, Fort William|publisher=Ambaile|access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref>

===Proposed development===
A "waterfront" development was proposed by the council in 2007, but failed due to lack of public support.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lochaber-news.co.uk/poll/poll_display.php/poll=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215224253/http://www.lochaber-news.co.uk/poll/poll_display.php/poll%3D8 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-12-15 |title=Lochaber News |publisher=Lochaber News |access-date=2009-07-30 }}</ref> The development would have included a hotel, shops, and housing. The proposed development was slated to take 7 years by the local council, but opponents of the project said that it was unlikely to be completed before 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lochaber-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2057/Waterfront_just_a_2020_vision_.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208123027/http://www.lochaber-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2057/Waterfront_just_a_2020_vision_.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-02-08 |title=Lochaber News 12 January 2008 |publisher=Lochaber-news.co.uk |date=2008-01-12 |access-date=2009-07-30 }}</ref> It was announced in April 2010 that the project had been abandoned.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8631826.stm|title=Waterfront project falls through|date=20 April 2010|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:FortWilliam.jpg|thumb|right|Fort William viewed from Corpach]]
[[File:FortWilliamParade.jpg|alt=Fort William Parade and Duncansburgh MacIntosh Parish Church|left|thumb|Fort William Parade and Duncansburgh MacIntosh Parish Church]]
The town lies at the southern end of the [[Great Glen]]. Fort William lies near the head of [[Loch Linnhe]], one of Scotland's longest [[sea loch]]s, beside the mouth of the rivers [[River Nevis|Nevis]] and Lochy. They join in the intertidal zone and briefly become one river before discharging to the sea. The town and its suburbs are surrounded by mountains. Its suburbs of Lochyside, Caol and Corpach are on the shore of [[Loch Eil]]. It is close to [[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[British Isles]], [[Glen Nevis]], and the settlement of [[Achnaphubuil]], which is on the opposite shore of the loch. The original railway station, which was at the south end of the town, was opened on 7 August 1894.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=West Highland Railway | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000295/18940813/085/0004 |newspaper=DundeeAdvertiser |location=Scotland |date=13 August 1894 |access-date=7 November 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
[[File:Picture of countryside outside Fort William.jpg|thumb|Countryside just outside of Fort William]]
The town is centred on the High Street, which was pedestrianised in the 1990s. Off this, there are several squares: Monzie Square (named after the [[Alexander Campbell Cameron|Cameron Campbells of Monzie]], [[Perthshire]], former landowners in the town); Station Square, where the long-since demolished railway station used to be; Gordon Square (named after the Gordons, who in the late 18th century owned land where the town now stands, when the town was named Gordonsburgh); and Cameron Square—formerly known as Town Hall Square. There is also Fraser Square, which is not so square-like, since it now opens out into Middle Street, but which still houses the Imperial Hotel.

The main residential areas of the town are unseen from the High Street and the [[A82 road|A82 main road]]. Upper Achintore and the Plantation spread steeply uphill from above the high street.
[[File:Corpach and Inverlochy crop.jpg|thumb|left|Inverlochy, aluminium plant, Corpach and Loch Eil]]
Inverlochy, Claggan, An-Aird, Lochyside, [[Caol]], [[Banavie]] and [[Corpach]] outwith (i.e. outside) the town are the other main residential areas. These areas are built on much flatter land than the town.

Fort William is the northern end of the [[West Highland Way]], a long-distance route which runs {{convert|95|mi|km|abbr=off}} through the Scottish Highlands to [[Milngavie]], on the outskirts of [[Glasgow]], and the start/end point of the [[Great Glen Way]], which runs between Fort William and Inverness.

[[Glenfinnan]], {{convert|17|mi|km|abbr=off}} away, is home of the Glenfinnan Monument (Jacobite era) and the famous [[Glenfinnan Viaduct]] (as seen on a Bank Of Scotland £10 note<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/banknoteapp/BoS_10.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828004915/http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/banknoteapp/BoS_10.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-08-28 |title=Bank of Scotland £10 Bridges |publisher=Scotbanks.org.uk |access-date=2016-11-11}}</ref>). The viaduct has become known to millions in recent years as the "Harry Potter Bridge" after it featured in the films of the books by J.K. Rowling, specifically ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''. Glenfinnan has also been used in ''[[Charlotte Gray (film)|Charlotte Gray]]'' and ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]''.

===Climate===
Fort William has an oceanic climate (''[[Köppen climate classification#Marine west coast climate|Cfb]]'') with moderate, but generally cool, temperatures and abundant precipitation.<ref>{{Citation |title=Climate of Scotland |date=2024-10-15 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Scotland#/media/File:Scotland_K%C3%B6ppen.png |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en}}</ref> In the towns immediate vicinity, there are significant variations in elevation, which leads to some uninhabited areas near the town having a subpolar oceanic climate ([[Köppen climate classification#Cfc: Subpolar oceanic climate|Cfc]]), or, at the absolute highest elevations such as [[Ben Nevis]], a tundra climate ([[Köppen climate classification#ET: Tundra climate|ET]]). Fort William does not have an official [[Met Office]] weather station; as such, the values in the table below are simulated, and the record high and low temperatures are not available.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gazetteer for Scotland: Climate Information |url=https://www.scottish-places.info/climate_about.html |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.scottish-places.info}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UK climate averages |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Met Office |language=en}}</ref>
{{Weather box
| location = Fort William, United Kingdom
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan high C = 7.1
| Feb high C = 7.5
| Mar high C = 9.4
| Apr high C = 11.1
| May high C = 14.7
| Jun high C = 16.5
| Jul high C = 18.5
| Aug high C = 18.3
| Sep high C = 16.1
| Oct high C = 12.8
| Nov high C = 9.4
| Dec high C = 7.3
|Jan mean C = 4.2
|Feb mean C = 4.3
|Mar mean C = 5.8
|Apr mean C = 7.4
|May mean C = 10.4
|Jun mean C = 12.6
|Jul mean C = 14.7
|Aug mean C = 14.6
|Sep mean C = 12.5
|Oct mean C = 9.4
|Nov mean C = 6.3
|Dec mean C = 4.2
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 1.2
| Feb low C = 1.1
| Mar low C = 2.1
| Apr low C = 3.6
| May low C = 6.0
| Jun low C = 8.6
| Jul low C = 10.8
| Aug low C = 10.8
| Sep low C = 8.8
| Oct low C = 6.0
| Nov low C = 3.1
| Dec low C = 1.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 199
|Feb precipitation mm = 140
|Mar precipitation mm = 149
|Apr precipitation mm = 78
|May precipitation mm = 71
|Jun precipitation mm = 71
|Jul precipitation mm = 79
|Aug precipitation mm = 98
|Sep precipitation mm = 129
|Oct precipitation mm = 172
|Nov precipitation mm = 159
|Dec precipitation mm = 159
|year precipitation mm = 1504
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 18
| Feb precipitation days = 14
| Mar precipitation days = 17
| Apr precipitation days = 13
| May precipitation days = 13
| Jun precipitation days = 12
| Jul precipitation days = 14
| Aug precipitation days = 14
| Sep precipitation days = 15
| Oct precipitation days = 18
| Nov precipitation days = 17
| Dec precipitation days = 16
| year precipitation days =181
|Jan sun = 33
|Feb sun = 63
|Mar sun = 90
|Apr sun = 138
|May sun = 183
|Jun sun = 157
|Jul sun = 139
|Aug sun = 132
|Sep sun = 101
|Oct sun = 74
|Nov sun = 43
|Dec sun = 28
|year sun = 1181
| source 1 = scottish-places.info<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate data for Fort William |url=https://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townclimate2108.html |publisher=Scottish Places Info |access-date=2024-10-23}}</ref>
| date = August 2022
| source = 
}}

{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = [[Fersit|Tulloch Bridge]],{{efn|Weather station is located {{convert|15.0|mi|1|abbr=out}} from the Fort Williams town centre.}} elevation {{convert|237|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1990–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes	
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high C = 13.8 
|Feb record high C = 14.0
|Mar record high C = 19.9
|Apr record high C = 23.4
|May record high C = 26.5
|Jun record high C = 29.9
|Jul record high C = 28.4
|Aug record high C = 29.0
|Sep record high C = 26.4
|Oct record high C = 18.8
|Nov record high C = 16.3
|Dec record high C = 13.9
|Jan record low C = -19.0
|Feb record low C = -17.3
|Mar record low C = -15.0
|Apr record low C = -9.4
|May record low C = -6.3
|Jun record low C = -3.3
|Jul record low C = 0.4
|Aug record low C = -1.8
|Sep record low C = -4.2
|Oct record low C = -7.5
|Nov record low C = -11.7
|Dec record low C = -20.5
|Jan high C = 5.7
|Feb high C = 6.0
|Mar high C = 7.6
|Apr high C = 10.6
|May high C = 14.0
|Jun high C = 16.0
|Jul high C = 17.5
|Aug high C = 17.0
|Sep high C = 14.9
|Oct high C = 11.2
|Nov high C = 8.0
|Dec high C = 5.9
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 2.8
|Feb mean C = 2.9
|Mar mean C = 4.3
|Apr mean C = 6.5
|May mean C = 9.3
|Jun mean C = 11.8
|Jul mean C = 13.5
|Aug mean C = 13.1
|Sep mean C = 11.2
|Oct mean C = 8.0
|Nov mean C = 5.1
|Dec mean C = 2.7
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -0.1
|Feb low C = -0.2
|Mar low C = 0.9
|Apr low C = 2.4
|May low C = 4.6
|Jun low C = 7.7
|Jul low C = 9.5
|Aug low C = 9.3
|Sep low C = 7.5
|Oct low C = 4.8
|Nov low C = 2.2
|Dec low C = -0.5
|year low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 250.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 186.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 154.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 103.3
|May precipitation mm = 95.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 88.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 94.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 108.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 129.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 191.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 203.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 222.8
|year precipitation mm= 1826.8
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 19.6
|Feb precipitation days = 17.7
|Mar precipitation days = 18.0
|Apr precipitation days = 15.2
|May precipitation days = 14.5
|Jun precipitation days = 14.6
|Jul precipitation days = 16.0
|Aug precipitation days = 16.4
|Sep precipitation days = 16.4
|Oct precipitation days = 19.5
|Nov precipitation days = 19.7
|Dec precipitation days = 19.1
|year precipitation days= 206.5
|source 1 = Met Office<ref name = metoffice>{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gfhesb7dr |title=Tulloch Bridge (Highland) UK climate averages |publisher=Met Office |accessdate=21 March 2020 }}</ref>
| source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmax_map.php
|title= Monthly Extreme Maximum Temperature, Monthly Extreme Minimum Temperature
|publisher= Starlings Roost Weather
|access-date= 17 December 2024
|archive-date= 1 February 2023
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230201173843/http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmax_map.php
|url-status= dead
}}</ref>
}}

==Economy==
The area is a tourism centre for hikers due to its proximity to [[Ben Nevis]], and to drivers wanting to see a nearby railway bridge, the [[Glenfinnan Viaduct]]. The Glenfinnan Viaduct was used in the film ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' and in three other films in the series, and is often called The Harry Potter Bridge. To address the automotive congestion, travellers by train are given discounts at local venues.<ref>{{cite news |title=Village 'gridlocked' by tourists visiting famous Harry Potter viaduct |url=https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/village-gridlocked-by-tourists-visiting-famous-harry-potter-viaduct-in-glenfinnan |access-date=28 December 2025 |work=STV News |date=24 June 2024 |quote=Over half a million tourists visited the area to see the viaduct in 2023, making it the National Trust of Scotland’s most popular visitor site outside of Edinburgh or Glasgow.}}</ref> 

Just outside the town is a large [[aluminium]] plant once operated by [[Alcan]] and powered by the [[Lochaber hydroelectric scheme]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mercedes-w123.net/wowe/DjVus/39_Aluminium/39_aluminium.djvu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908195813/http://www.mercedes-w123.net/wowe/DjVus/39_Aluminium/39_aluminium.djvu |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 September 2023 |title=Wonders of Water Power&nbsp;— Aluminium Production |publisher=Mercedes-w123.net |access-date=2009-07-30 }}</ref> in its day the biggest tunnelling project in the world. This was formerly served by the [[Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway]] better known locally as the Puggy Line.

In November 2016, [[Sanjeev Gupta]]'s [[Liberty Steel Group]] purchased the Lochaber aluminium plant from [[Rio Tinto (corporation)|Rio Tinto]].<ref name=atdt>{{cite news|last1=Tovey|first1=Alan|title=Rio Tinto to sell Scottish aluminium smelter to Liberty for £330m|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/11/23/rio-tinto-sell-scottish-aluminium-smelter-liberty-330m/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/11/23/rio-tinto-sell-scottish-aluminium-smelter-liberty-330m/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=12 March 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=23 November 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 3 April 2021, it came to light during Gupta's financial troubles involving [[Greensill Capital]] that the Jahama Highland Estates (formerly the "Alcan Estate") had been purchased in 2016 as part of the Rio Tinto deal for the Lochaber aluminium plant, because the furnace requires so much power that the smelter is located near a hydroelectric plant, which drains the basin of the {{convert|114,000|acre|ha|abbr=off|adj=on}} Estate.

The Estate includes the north face of [[Ben Nevis]]. According to reports, the [[Scottish National Party]] mandated that the Estate never be split from the hydro plant and aluminium smelter, but Gupta ignored them and placed ownership of the Estate in a company that is domiciled on the [[Isle of Man]]. The 2016 deal was worth £330 million and was guaranteed by the UK [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]]. Conservative finance spokesperson [[Murdo Fraser]] was critical of the alleged breach of the SNP agreement and urged the SNP to "take whatever steps are necessary to protect public funds".<ref name="ogdt">{{cite news |last1=Gill |first1=Oliver |last2=Millard |first2=Rachel |title=Gupta acquired Scottish hunting estate in taxpayer-backed deal with SNP |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/04/03/gupta-acquired-scottish-hunting-estate-taxpayer-backed-deal/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/04/03/gupta-acquired-scottish-hunting-estate-taxpayer-backed-deal/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=3 April 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Fort William sleeper.jpg|thumbnail|Arrival at Fort William of the overnight [[Caledonian Sleeper|sleeper]] train from London Euston.]]
Trains: The [[West Highland Line]] passes through Fort William. Owing to the difficult terrain in the area, the line from [[Glasgow]] to the south enters from the north-east. Trains from Glasgow to [[Mallaig]], the terminus of the line, have to reverse at [[Fort William railway station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/West_Highland_Railway/frame.htm |title=West Highland Railway |publisher=Railscot |access-date=2009-07-30 |archive-date=1 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701214448/https://www.railscot.co.uk/West_Highland_Railway/frame.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> An overnight train between Fort William and London is also ran by the [[Caledonian Sleeper]], this service is known colloquially as "The Deerstalker".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Quine|first1=Adrian |title=The 1980s time-warp of the London-Scotland sleeper train|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27623739 |access-date=6 April 2016|work=BBC News|date=1 June 2014}}</ref> 

Bus and coach connections: There are Scottish Citylink busses linking Fort William Bus Station with [[Glasgow]], [[Oban]], the [[Isle of Skye]] and [[Inverness]] as well as various smaller connections to nearby places such as [[Mallaig]] and [[Glen Nevis]]. The stands for buses and express coaches are on MacFarlane Way adjacent to the railway station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://getmyride.uk/macfarlane-way-bus-stop-fort-william-670000021#.WKYaPH8Uv-s|title=Bus Station (Stances 1/2) Bus Stand, MacFarlane Way|publisher=www.getmyride.uk|access-date=16 February 2017|archive-date=17 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217063723/http://getmyride.uk/macfarlane-way-bus-stop-fort-william-670000021#.WKYaPH8Uv-s|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Caledonian Canal]] connects the Scottish east coast at [[Inverness]] with the west coast at [[Corpach]], near Fort William.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Calder|first1=Simon |title=The Caledonian Canal|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/simon-calder/the-caledonian-canal-2280212.html |access-date=6 April 2016|work=The Independent|date=6 May 2011}}</ref>

The Corran Ferry <!--not in Wester Ross--> crosses [[Loch Linnhe]], connecting the [[A82 road]] to the [[A861 road]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Camusnagaul Ferry |url=http://www.lochabertransport.org.uk/TransportinLochaber/PublicTransport/Ferries/CamusnagaulFerry.aspx |website=www.lochabertransport.org.uk |access-date=5 April 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406152332/http://www.lochabertransport.org.uk/TransportinLochaber/PublicTransport/Ferries/CamusnagaulFerry.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Fort William is located on the [[A82 road|A82]]. The closest motorway access is the junction after Erskine bridge (just off the A82) of the [[M898 motorway|M898]] near [[Erskine, Renfrewshire|Erskine]] in Renfrewshire, 98 miles to the south west, joining onto the M8 motorway and the south.{{relevance inline|reason=Why does the closest motorway access matter?|date=September 2024}}

==Health==
The main hospital in Lochaber is [[Belford Hospital]] in Fort William.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/your-services/in-person-services-and-locations/hospitals/belford-hospital-fort-william/ |title=Belford Hospital (Fort William) |publisher=NHS Highland |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref>

In 2023 exploratory work began to replace the hospital, with construction expected to begin in the Blar Mhor area near Caol in 2025, with an estimated completion date of 2028.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/news/2023/11/ground-investigations-begin-at-proposed-site-for-new-hospital/ |title=Ground investigations begin at proposed site for new hospital |publisher=NHS Highland |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref> In 2024 funding issues resulted in a potential delay to the construction of the new hospital with protests taking place in Fort William.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n3l601yevo |title=Further delay to new Lochaber hospital 'depressing' |date=22 January 2024 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c29wnnz0e14o |title=Hundreds protest over delays to new hospital |date=18 March 2024 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Lochaber High School]] is the local high school and serves a large catchment area which includes the surrounding villages.

[[West Highland College]] is part of the [[University of the Highlands and Islands]]. It hosts the School of Adventure Studies (SOAS) offering both [[further education]] courses and [[higher education]] honours degrees.

==Sport==
{{more citations needed|section|date=August 2022}}

===Mountain biking===
Just outside the town, parallel to the [[Nevis Range]] [[Gondola lift|Gondola]], there is a large downhill mountain bike track which attracts thousands of visitors every year, including international competitors and fans.

Each year since 2002, Fort William has hosted a round of [[UCI Mountain Bike World Cup]] and, in 2007, it hosted the [[UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships]] ('The Worlds'). A [[Bike trials riding|trials]] competition is held at the various courses at the bottom.

Fort William has hosted the World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation (WEMBO) solo 24-hour championship in 2014 and again in 2018. The event consists of riders racing for a full 24 hours and is won by the rider who has completed the greater number of laps.

===Motorcycle trials===
Fort William is the home of the [[Scottish Six Days Trial|Scottish Six Day]] Motorcycle [[Motorcycle trials|Trial]] (SSDT), which is held annually in the first full week of May. It attracts many competitors from all across the globe and, in 2011, the event celebrated its centenary year.

===Others===
Fort William has two major [[shinty]] teams: [[Fort William Shinty Club]] and [[Kilmallie Shinty Club]]. It also has a football team, [[Fort William F.C.]], that competes in the Scottish North Caledonian League and plays home games at [[Claggan Park]].

In addition, the town is home to Lochaber Rugby Club and to the Lochaber Yacht Club, a [[Community Amateur Sports Club]] that was founded in 1954. The town also has one golf club, called Fort William Golf Club, which has eighteen holes and is open year-round; it also hosts weekly competitions.

==Festivals==
In a celebration of mountains and the culture that surrounds them, and in recognition of the importance of climbing and walking tourism to the town, the [[Fort William Mountain Festival]] is held there each year. For a number of years,{{when|date=September 2014}} this volunteer-led festival has concentrated mostly around film but, starting in the Year of Highland Culture – Highland 2007, its scope was widened, and it dropped the word 'film' from its title.<ref>Fort William Mountain Festival. Retrieved from http://www.mountainfilmfestival.co.uk/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204122948/http://www.mountainfilmfestival.co.uk/ |date=4 February 2007 }}.</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Unreferenced section|date = July 2024}}
*[[Danny Alexander]] (born 1972), the former [[Chief Secretary to the Treasury]] and [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (UK Parliament constituency)|Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey]]. Brought up in [[Invergarry]], a small village near Fort William.
*Colonel [[Hugh Cochrane]] (1829–1884), recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] for actions during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]
*[[Barry Hutchison]], author
*[[Charles Kennedy]] (1959–2015), former leader of the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] party and former [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Ross, Skye and Lochaber (UK Parliament constituency)|Ross, Skye and Lochaber]]. Although born in [[Inverness]], he was brought up and educated in Fort William.
*[[Allan MacDonald (poet)|Allan MacDonald]] ({{langx|gd|Maighstir Alein, An t-Athair Ailean Dòmhnallach}}) (1859–1905), [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Roman Catholic priest]], folklore collector, pastor in [[South Uist]] & [[Eriskay]] and poet who helped create modern [[Scottish Gaelic literature]], was born and brought up in Fort William.
*[[John McGinlay]] (born 1964), former [[Scotland men's national football team|Scotland international footballer]]
* [[Mary Mackellar]] ({{langx|gd|Màiri NicEalair}}) (1834–1890), poet and literary translator, was born and brought up in Fort William
*[[Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan|Justin Ryan]], interior decorator and television presenter, although born in [[Glasgow]], was brought up in Fort William.
*[[Duncan Shearer]] (born 1962), former [[Scotland men's national football team|Scotland international footballer]]
*Colonel [[John Augustus Wood|John Wood]] (1818–1878), recipient of the Victoria Cross for actions during the [[Anglo-Persian War]].

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book
| last = MacCulloch | first = Donald B.
| year = 1971
| title = Romantic Lochaber
| publisher = Chambers
 | isbn = 978-0-550-50347-3
 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fort William, Scotland}}
{{Wikivoyage|Fort William}}
{{oscoor gbx|NN 10584 74114}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20020828203434/http://www.nls.uk/digitallibrary/map/military/record.cfm?id=77 Map of Ft William and area, dated 1710]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Fort William (Scotland)|display=Fort William, a police burgh of Inverness-shire, Scotland |short=x}}

{{Geographic location
|title = '''Destinations from Fort William'''
|Northwest = '''[[Mallaig]]''', [[Portree]], [[Shiel Bridge]],
|North     = [[Kyle of Lochalsh]], [[Ullapool]]
|Northeast = [[Spean Bridge]], [[Invergarry]], [[Fort Augustus]], '''[[Inverness]]'''
|West      = [[Glenfinnan]], [[Lochailort]], [[Arisaig]]
|Centre    = Fort William
|East      = [[Roybridge]], [[Dalwhinnie]], '''[[Aberdeen]]'''
|Southwest = [[Inchree]], '''[[Oban]]'''
|South     = [[Ballachulish]], [[Inveraray]], [[Dunoon]]
|Southeast = [[Bridge of Orchy]], [[Crianlarich]], '''[[Glasgow]]'''
}}
{{Lochaber}}
{{Portal bar|Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fort William}}
[[Category:Fort William, Highland| ]]
[[Category:1654 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1654]]
[[Category:Towns in Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Lochaber]]
[[Category:Forts in Scotland]]
[[Category:William III of England]]
[[Category:New Model Army]]
[[Category:Prince William, Duke of Cumberland]]