Europe is where almost every article on this site begins, because it is where the ships go: the Norwegian fjords and the North Cape, Iceland’s Westfjords, Orkney and the Scottish Highlands, the Baltic as far as Stockholm and Copenhagen, the Channel ports of England and France, the Dutch North Sea canal, and the Atlantic islands of the Azores and Madeira. Each piece is written from a day ashore rather than from a holiday — where the ship ties up or tenders, what is reachable on foot or by public transport, what the same route costs against the ship’s excursion, and how much buffer to keep before all-aboard. Prices and timetables carry the season in which they were checked, and the photographs were taken on the day described. The port guides are collected on one page: Cruise Ports on Your Own.
Visited on a call at Fort William. The photographs are my own.
Tucked away in the heart of the Scottish Highlands lies one of the most scenic and storied routes in Britain – the road from Fort William to Fort Augustus, following the legendary Caledonian Canal. This journey is more than a scenic drive – it’s a passage through history, myth, and the dramatic natural beauty that defines the Highlands.
Fort William: gateway to the Highlands
Our journey begins in Fort William, a town steeped in heritage and surrounded by raw, untamed landscape. Nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, Fort William is a magnet for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers year-round. It also serves as a starting point for those looking to explore the Great Glen and the legendary waters of Loch Ness.