Day 1 - Friday 28 March 2025
Fort William to Spean Bridge (13 miles)
We were staying at Guisachan Guest House in Fort William for the first couple of days of the walk. From the door we were able to walk into the town as the official start was a short distance from the B&B. Known as the "Fort Town", the earliest recorded settlement on the site is a 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. The post-1688 revolution fort was named Fort William after William of Orange, who ordered that it be built to control some of the Scottish clans.
The War Memorial in Fort William
The "Bronze Ford" which is situated in the centre of Fort William
The car is a full size replica of the Model T Ford car driven to the summit of nearby Ben Nevis by Henry Alexander of Edinburgh in 1911. It was cast in bronze in 2018 after four years of fundraising in Fort William and the UK. The bronze was cast using parts of an original 1911 car carried to the summit of Ben Nevis by 77 stalwarts in 2011.
The car is a full size replica of the Model T Ford car driven to the summit of nearby Ben Nevis by Henry Alexander of Edinburgh in 1911. It was cast in bronze in 2018 after four years of fundraising in Fort William and the UK. The bronze was cast using parts of an original 1911 car carried to the summit of Ben Nevis by 77 stalwarts in 2011.
The commemorative plaque next to the Bronze Ford
The stone monolith on the site of the old fort that marks the start (or finish) of The Great Glen Way at Fort William
A start selfie for both of us and a memory of Fudge - his favourite toy duck
Just as we were about to start it chucked it down therefore always prepared, Angie donned her patriotic poncho - £4.95 from the local Fort William shop that was fit to bursting with tacky Scottish tat. She was robbed.
Leaving Fort William we made our way past the first highlight of the walk - Morrisons
Crossing the River Nevis with the range of the same name to the rear
I suppose if it wasn't there riders would simply cross the bridge rather than dismount
In the centre of shot is The Soldiers Bridge over the River Lochy. The bridge on the right is a railway bridge that carries the line from Fort William to Mallaig via the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. The Soldiers Bridge dates back to the 1960s when the Army built it as a goodwill gesture, hence the name. Its main purpose was to provide water to the pulp and paper mills in the nearby village of Corpach. However, by 2016 the bridge had fallen into a state of near total disrepair. Subsequently, it took a two year restoration project to the tune of over half a million pounds before it could finally be reopened to the public.
We observed that Fort William was not spared a visit from the knuckle dragging members of society.
We observed that Fort William was not spared a visit from the knuckle dragging members of society.
The Soldiers Bridge to the right as it was before falling into disrepair and being rebuilt. This picture was taken from the opposite side of the River Lochy looking back towards Fort William (picture credit David Long)
Reaching the Caledonian Canal - for the last half hour whilst walking via Lochyside & Caol it had chucked it down
The Caledonian Canal links the Highlands' Atlantic Coast with the North Sea at the Moray Firth. It was a mammoth project and was a necessary alternative for shipping in order to avoid the treacherous waters around Cape Wrath and the Pentland Firth. The man tasked with completion was the Scottish Civil Engineer Thomas Telford. Completed in 1822, the construction cost £1m however in today's prices this would have been £100m.
The Caledonian Canal links the Highlands' Atlantic Coast with the North Sea at the Moray Firth. It was a mammoth project and was a necessary alternative for shipping in order to avoid the treacherous waters around Cape Wrath and the Pentland Firth. The man tasked with completion was the Scottish Civil Engineer Thomas Telford. Completed in 1822, the construction cost £1m however in today's prices this would have been £100m.
The swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal just below Neptune's Staircase
Crossing the railway line at Banavie Station
Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian Canal
This amazing feat of engineering raises the canal by 19m (62ft) over a quarter of a mile of continuous masonry and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Scotland. The system was originally hand-powered but has been converted to hydraulic operation.
This amazing feat of engineering raises the canal by 19m (62ft) over a quarter of a mile of continuous masonry and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Scotland. The system was originally hand-powered but has been converted to hydraulic operation.
Adjacent to the staircase is Neptune's Mirror
The sculpture was designed and built by Angus Ritchie & Daniel Tyler from Strathclyde University. The pavilion has benches built into it framing three mesmerising views of the surrounding landscape whilst reflecting the stunning vistas on its surfaces.
The sculpture was designed and built by Angus Ritchie & Daniel Tyler from Strathclyde University. The pavilion has benches built into it framing three mesmerising views of the surrounding landscape whilst reflecting the stunning vistas on its surfaces.
The Moorings Cafe at Neptune's staircase - it opened at 1100, a pity it was 1030 when we passed
The top of Neptune's Staircase - by now it had stopped raining thankfully
From the top of the staircase we headed along the towpath of the Caledonian Canal - and the sun was out
Continuing along the towpath of the Caledonian Canal
Passing the Loy Sluices. The sluices are a feature of the canal where excess water in its channel can flow off to enter the River Lochy. The hill in the distance is Monadh Beag.
Moy Bridge which is the only known cast iron swing bridge in existence in the United Kingdom
Just before Gairlochy the towpath crosses above a weir
Gairlochy Locks
Ordinarily this would be the end of Day 1 however there is no accommodation here - in fact apart from the locks there is absolutely nowt else here. We would be heading off route to walk down to Spean Bridge and catch the bus back to Fort William.
Ordinarily this would be the end of Day 1 however there is no accommodation here - in fact apart from the locks there is absolutely nowt else here. We would be heading off route to walk down to Spean Bridge and catch the bus back to Fort William.
The canal hut at Gairlochy Bottom Lock
Cheering ourselves up prior to the long, long road walk down to Spean Bridge
Travelling through the very sleepy hamlet of Mucomir
Nothing to see here - just a ghost mowing his lawn (Click Play to view)
Looking across the River Spean from Mucomir
The Bridge of Mucomir over the River Spean
The Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge
The memorial is a Category A listed monument and is dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces who fought in World War II. The monument overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Mother, it is one of Scotland's best known monuments, both as a war memorial and as a tourist attraction. It faces south towards Ben Nevis.
The location was chosen because it is on the route from Spean Bridge railway station to the former Commando Training Centre. Arriving prospective Commandos would disembark after a 14-hour journey, load their kit bags onto waiting trucks and then speed-march the seven miles to the training centre in full kit with weapon, weighing a total of 36 pounds. Anyone not completing it within 60 minutes was immediately returned to unit.
The memorial is a Category A listed monument and is dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces who fought in World War II. The monument overlooks the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle. Unveiled in 1952 by the Queen Mother, it is one of Scotland's best known monuments, both as a war memorial and as a tourist attraction. It faces south towards Ben Nevis.
The location was chosen because it is on the route from Spean Bridge railway station to the former Commando Training Centre. Arriving prospective Commandos would disembark after a 14-hour journey, load their kit bags onto waiting trucks and then speed-march the seven miles to the training centre in full kit with weapon, weighing a total of 36 pounds. Anyone not completing it within 60 minutes was immediately returned to unit.
The steps leading up to The Commando Memorial contain the Commando Dagger
Looking north west to Beinn Bhan from the memorial
Approaching Spean Bridge after a long walk in from Gairlochy
At last - the Bus stop in Spean Bridge from which we would catch the bus back to Fort William
We had a delightful two day stay here and it is a perfect base in which to explore Fort William. The link to their website is above.
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Day 1 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
13 miles
13 miles
4hrs 50mins
605ft (184m)
13 miles
4hrs 50mins
605ft (184m)