Fort William with the dogs: a weekend of indoor welcomes in the Highlands

Fort William gives you the best bits of a Highland break without leaving the dog outside every time you want to eat. There are mountains, lochs and big scenery in every direction, but also a surprisingly good collection of pubs and cafés where dogs are welcome inside.

You’ll want a car for some of this weekend, but the plan itself is deliberately easy: one main adventure at a time, good food and plenty of room to change your mind if the weather does.

Friday: Arrive and find your feet

After the drive, keep Friday simple. Have a wander along Loch Linnhe or through the town centre, then head to Ben Nevis Bar on the High Street.

Dogs are welcome inside, including the dining area, and food is served into the evening. There’s even a dog menu if somebody has endured the journey particularly heroically.

That’s enough for Friday. The mountains will still be there tomorrow.

Saturday: Mountains without making it an endurance test

Let's choose your mountain morning.

For a proper walk, head to Glen Nevis Forest, accessed from the Braveheart car park. There are trails and viewpoints at the foot of Ben Nevis, so you can enjoy the setting without feeling obliged to conquer Britain's highest mountain before lunch.

If you'd prefer considerably less uphill, Nevis Range Mountain Gondola is the gentler option. Dogs can travel in the enclosed gondola cabins, giving you the mountain views without requiring mountain legs.

Lunch can follow whichever morning you chose. Ben Nevis Inn works particularly well after Glen Nevis. Dogs are currently welcome in the downstairs restaurant on a trial basis, but dog-friendly tables can't be booked, so availability depends on the day.

If you've been up the gondola, Black Isle Bar back in town is an easy alternative, with dogs welcome indoors and pizza on the menu.

Saturday afternoon: See Fort William from the water

Swap mountain level for loch level with Cruise Loch Linnhe.

Dogs are welcome on the cruises and can join you both outside and in the heated indoor cabin, which is a particularly useful feature in the West Highlands.

Sailings vary, so this is the one part of Saturday worth planning ahead.

For dinner, Nevis Bank Inn & Browns Restaurant is a useful dog-friendly choice. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, rather than Browns Restaurant itself, so make sure you're seated on the bar side.

Then stop. Saturday has already contained a mountain and a loch. It does not require a third act.

Sunday: Glenfinnan and lunch before home

Start Sunday with breakfast at Café 115, where dogs are welcome inside, then head west towards Glenfinnan Monument.

Dogs on leads are welcome around the outdoor grounds beside Loch Shiel. They can't go into the visitor centre or up the monument unless they're assistance dogs, but the landscape and grounds are the real reason to come.

On the way back, stop at An Cafaidh Mara at Corpach Marina. Dogs are welcome inside and lunch is served from noon, making it an easy final stop before heading home.

No squeezing in another attraction. Have lunch, load the dog back into the car and leave the Highlands while everybody is still speaking to one another.

Fort William FAQs

Is Fort William dog friendly?

Yes. Fort William has a good selection of pubs and cafés where dogs are welcome inside, alongside dog-friendly walks and outdoor attractions.

Can dogs go on the Nevis Range gondola?

Yes. Dogs are welcome in the enclosed gondola cabins.

Can dogs go to Glenfinnan Monument?

Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor grounds. The visitor centre and monument climb are assistance-dogs only.

Can dogs go on a Loch Linnhe cruise?

Yes. Cruise Loch Linnhe welcomes dogs on its sailings, including access to the heated indoor cabin.

Going somewhere we haven't mapped yet?

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(Prices correct as of July 2026)