Scotland - Ben Nevis area?

[WeeMadArthur1]

We’re looking for somewhere to stay in Scotland as a base to do some mountain walks (maybe up Ben Nevis) but also with access to beach/lakes and ideally a town with a few restaurants/shops (trying to cater for all our needs - DH likes walking, DD16 likes shopping/cafes, DD13 likes beaches/swimming/walking, and I’m happy with all of those things).

We had a fab holiday a couple of years ago in North Wales, where we could go into Snowdonia for walks, and also to beaches, and Porthmadog, etc for shops/cafes - so we’re basically looking for the equivalent but in Scotland as we’ve never been.

Any ideas for where to start looking?

Fort William is a good enough base for Ben Nevis, Speal Falls, Glen Coe, Loch Levin Restaurant and over to the viaduct in Glenfinnan. The main trailhead is about a 30 min drive from the town centre and it’s got pubs, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, a pedestrianised high street, a station, the West Highland Museum, and the Ben Nevis whisky distillery. It’s not very pretty and has a semi industrial feel to it overall IMO, but the location couldn’t be better.

Thank you. Is it close to any beaches/lakes? Also thinking about further into the Cairngorms, are there any towns in/near that area?

Ft William is on a sea loch. It's also got Loch Lochy and the rest of the Great Glen freshwater stretching out from there. You've got Ardgour, which has some lovely sandy beaches, in among the rocky beaches. A further drive or short ferry rides takes you to some great beaches towards Connell, on Isle of Lismore, out towards Strontian and Ardmamurchan (via council ferry at Corran), or indeed some of the best mainland UK beaches at Arisaig and Morar. Morar or Ardnamurchan are upto 1.5-2hrs away despite only 30-40 miles, both because the roads are not fast and you will be stopping. Not every where is sandy. There's few things like loo's or cafes at many of these places - but they are amazing beaches and places, and I've seen otters, white tailed eagles, golden eagles and more.

Mull is also a day trippable place via Lochaline Ferry, and is worth the effort of the hour drive to the ferry.

Isle of Lismore has amazing community cafe - get the council ferry at Appin and it's a 35 minute walk / 10 min bike with no traffic to the cafe and community craft shop A really special place, 30 mins south of Ft William.

The chairlift at Nevis is great for getting most of the way up a mountain for no effort - you can mountain bike back down on the longest blue/ family friendly (ish) mountain bike trail in the UK.

Cairngorms is superb - but that's another thread... Aviemore or Grantown on Spey would be best place to be. The beaches are then on Loch Morlich or the River Spey.

Thank you. We're not set on Ben Nevis, as there are loads of mountains around there so if there are nicer areas we'd rather do that. @outdooryone if you have any advice for things to do for teens in the Aviemore area do let me know!

For teens in Aviemore you have go karting, water sports at Loch Insh or Loch Morlich, mountain biking at Glenlivit, go ape type thing at Rothimurchus, zip lining at Alvie Estate, segways at Rothiemurchus or Dalraddy - lots and lots to do. Lots of Munros and also lots of interesting low-level walks too.

Fort William is great if you want to drive to a destination each day (and the suggestions below are all great) but I have found accommodation that I like hard to find thereabout, whereas Aviemore and the surrounding villages have lots more choice.

Agreed that Aviemore has more locally to the town - assuming that a paid attraction is what you are wanting to do. It also has more accommodation choice these days. Often a bit drier (being East) and sunnier too. I love the area, and would happily move there!

Ft William and the west coast will give a more 'adventurous' and wild feel - assuming that you enjoy a picnic on the beach, a walk up a hill and similar. That said there are also lots of paid things to do as well - from the cable car, to gem museums, quad bikes, climbing and canoeing etc. It is just spread out a bit more. It will be some more driving, but you get the excitement of ferries! It is more remote and feels it. Likely a bit wetter and cloudier (being the edge of the Atlantic).

@outdooryone I have to admit, I'd take an holiday option with ferry opportunities every time. My best day last year was going to Iona from the Fort William vicinity - three ferries in a day!!! (and then the same three back the next day!)

Thank you both - that is really helpful. It's actually made us decide maybe against Fort William, as although the ferries sound exciting, DD gets seasick even looking at a boat, so I wouldn't want them to be part of our holiday! I think inland with the lochs and mountains might suit us better.