West Highland Museum

Fort William


This small but fascinating museum is packed with all manner of Highland memorabilia. Look out for the secret portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie – after the Jacobite rebellions, all things Highland were banned, including pictures of the exiled leader, and this tiny painting looks like nothing more than a smear of paint until viewed in a cylindrical mirror, which reflects a credible likeness of the prince.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Fort William attractions

1. Jacobite Steam Train

0.28 MILES

The Jacobite Steam Train, hauled by a former LNER K1 or LMS Class 5MT locomotive, travels the scenic two-hour run between Fort William and Mallaig…

2. Ben Nevis Distillery

1.84 MILES

A tour of this distillery makes for a warming rainy day alternative to exploring the hills.

3. Trea­sures of the Earth

1.92 MILES

This award-winning exhibition is a useful rainy-day diversion, with a great collection of gemstones, minerals, fossils and other geological curiosities.

4. Commando Memorial

8.46 MILES

The Commandos were an elite unit of the British armed forces, formed in 1940 to carry out raids behind enemy lines in German-occupied Europe. In 1942, a…

5. Glencoe Folk Museum

9.33 MILES

This small, thatched cottage houses a varied collection of farm equipment, tools of the woodworking, blacksmithing and slate-quarrying trades, and…

6. Clan Cameron Museum

9.75 MILES

The Clan Cameron Museum records the history of the clan and its involvement with the Jacobite rebellions, with exhibits that include items of clothing…

7. Glencoe Visitor Centre

10.18 MILES

The centre provides comprehensive information on the geological, environmental and cultural history of Glen Coe via high-tech interactive and audiovisual…

8. Glenfinnan Visitor Centre

12.8 MILES

This centre recounts the story of the ’45, as the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 is known, when Bonnie Prince Charlie’s loyal clansmen marched and fought…