A quiet town nestled in the Scottish Highlands is, in fact, the perfect staycation for a quiet break, despite its previous low ratings.
Scotland isn’t lacking on stunning scenery and places for a short getaway, however, if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, you should be looking no further than Fort William.
Despite previously being labelled as one of the worst places to head for a holiday in the whole of the UK, according to Which?, it has been rated highly in terms of peace and quiet.
The town, which lies as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, has been rated by visitors four out of five for ‘lack of crowds’. Often referred to as the ‘outdoor capital of the UK’, it boasts plenty scenic outdoor walks and hiking trails.
The consumer magazine asked 3,967 of its members earlier this year to rate cities and towns across the UK they had visited for leisure purposes and stayed in for at least one night during the past two years as part of the research.
Despite rating lower than its neighbours Oban and Inverness, Fort William has been highly-rated for its peaceful surrounds.
According to Which? the town only received two out of five for food and drink, but it actually boasts plentiful popular eateries that have been acclaimed by visitors on Tripadvisor. The Geographer has over 800 reviews averaging at 4.5 stars.
One review read: “Having recently visited Fort William for a few days , we were so fortunate to find the ‘Geographer Restaurant ‘ it is normal to read in reviews the staff are pleasant and welcoming however this establishment goes well beyond that, every member of the staff took time to chat to us even though the restaurant was full.”
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The Crannog Seafood restaurant is also second highly rated, the perfect dine-in meal for seafood lovers, fresh from the local waters. The Ben Nevis Inn is also a top option, nestled at the foot of the UK’s highest mountain, making it the perfect stop for a pint following a hike.
In terms of shopping, Fort William is centred around a High Street that features a number of local and independent shops.
Which? commented: “Scotland did well in our survey — with Edinburgh near the top of the big cities table with 83 per cent and Glasgow not far behind on 76 per cent. St Andrews was joint second in our small cities table on 78 per cent, with Stirling on 75 per cent.” The full list of the best and worst staycation destinations in Scotland and England can be found on the Which? website.
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