Fort William

As its name suggests, Fort William originated as a military outpost, first established by Oliver Cromwell's General Monk in 1655 and refortified by George I (1660–1727) in 1715 to help combat an uprising by the turbulent Jacobite clans. It remains the southern gateway to the Great Glen and the far west. It’s not Scotland’s most charming or authentic town, but it’s got several good hotels and makes a convenient base for exploring the surrounding countryside.

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