Fort William is the principal town in the West Highlands. It takes its name from a fort founded here in 1690 and named after William, Prince of Orange.

As a busy centre it offers a wide range of shops and services, including major supermarkets and businesses selling outdoor and activity wear, books, tartans, tweeds, woollens and crafts, mostly along its pleasant and pedestrianised main street. Its location as a meeting-place for West Highland routes also means it has a range of pubs, places to eat and Scottish entertainment. The West Highland Museum in the town's main square takes up the theme of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites, with many relics from those times.

On the edge of town, to the north, The Ben Nevis Distillery and Visitor Centre marks the entrance to Glen Nevis. Only minutes down the glen is the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre (Ionad Nibheis), a countryside and local heritage interpretation centre (useful for weather reports and advice if visitors are planning a Ben Nevis expedition). Glen Nevis itself, with the flanks of Ben Nevis rising on one side also offers superb Highland scenery and a choice of walking routes.