West Highland Essentials

Glencoe Eateries

Each eatery below links to its Google pin; opening hours vary by season; check their pin for current hours.

• Stiff Peaks: Easily one of the best patisseries/bakeries in Scotland. Takeaway only, but the savoury and sweet options are utterly delicious. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

• Cuil Seafood: a popular seafood shack serving boxes of locally caught scallops, mussels, and langoustines. Takeaway only, but there are plenty of nearby places to park and eat.

• Kitchen Food Truck: A vintage Citroën in the Woodlands Estate serves lunch and evening menus featuring local produce, along with coffee, morning rolls, and eggs for breakfast. Open daily, 8am to 12pm, then 5pm to 8pm.

• Loch Leven Seafood Café: For something a little more formal, drive around Loch Leven to this excellent bistro-café. As you can imagine, dishes are based on locally caught seafood, shellfish, and fish, though there are also meat and vegetarian dishes on the menu. During the day, there’s also a range of delicious sandwiches, smaller plates, seafood, and soups. The food here is excellent, making it a popular option, so be sure to book in advance or call to secure a table before driving around the loch.

Fort William Eateries

Each eatery below links to its Google pin; opening hours vary by season; check their pin for current hours.

• Blas na Mara: A fantastic option for a late-afternoon/early-evening treat, this seafood shack’s name translates to ‘Taste of the Sea’. As you can imagine, this locally-run hut serves generous portions of local seafood - the lobster salad, buckets of langoustines, and mussels are excellent, but the menu is extensive! Takeaway or eat at their picnic tables.

• Black Isle: This buzzy, local craft beer specialist serves fantastic stone-baked pizzas, either to eat in or take away. No need to book -there are heaps of communal tables, and it's an excellent spot for after-dinner drinks. Try the blonde lager or nitro porter (or a tasting tray).

• Garrison West: For something a little more formal, this bistro-restaurant specialises in locally sourced seafood, fish, meat, and venison. Book in advance.

• Silly Goose: The most formal option, it’s perfect if you’re looking for something akin to fine dining; the food is excellent and Scottish-inspired—book in advance.

• Ben Nevis Bar: A casual but perfect option on the high street, this traditional pub/restaurant has a solid menu of crowd-pleasers, alongside a well-stocked bar, a roaring fire, and often live music—book in advance.

• The Kilted Camel: If you like a cooked breakfast, coffee, cake, or savoury light bites for lunch, then pop into this friendly café just along from the high street.

• The Wildcat: This vegan cafe serves fantastic coffees, cakes, and brunches; a popular spot on the high street.

Fort William Amenities

• Fuel Stations: The most convenient and reasonably priced options are Morrisons and Gleaner. There is also a Shell. This is a good place to fuel up before heading north or west (where fuel stops are limited and more expensive).

• Supermarkets: You’ll find a Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl and M&S Food Hall in the town.

• Shops: There are limited stores in this region, but you’ll find heaps of outdoor stores here catering for all budgets. We like Ellis Brigham, Go Outdoors, and Cotswolds Outdoors.

• Amenities: ATMs, electric car charging points, and public toilets.