Military Road to Fort William Show path on map
Start location: B863, 250m west of Allt Coire na Ba bridge, Kinlochleven ( NN 183 622 )
End location: southern edge of Fort William ( NN 097 724 )
Geographical area: Lochaber
Path type: Military Road
Path distance: 17.5km
Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians
Route Description
The first 11.5km of this old military road is used by the West Highland Way (WHW), so is waymarked accordingly. Leave Kinlochleven along the B863, until circa 250m west of the bridge (NN183623) over the Allt Coire na Ba. Take the WHW waymarked path to climb northwest up the wooded hillside, and cross the private road to Mamore Lodge. Higher up, it joins the track from the lodge that leads west up the north side of the glen of the Allt Nathrach. The track leads unmistakably over a bealach at about 330m and descends to Lairigmòr. Continue along this track, which swings north to reach the derelict house of Blar a’ Chàorainn, near which the WHW leaves this old military road. Instead join the narrow public road and follow it north through Blarmachfoldach and into Fort William.
OS Landranger 41 (Ben Nevis, Fort William & surrounding area)
Heritage Information
The Old Military Road was constructed by General Caulfeild in 1749-50 from Fort William southwards to Kinlochleven, and from there south over the Devil’s Staircase and across the western edge of Rannoch Moor.
Since 1980, much of this route has been followed by the West Highland Way, forming part of the final section for those going from south to north. Other historic routes with links to the WHW include the Bankie Trek, the Crianlarich Military Road, the Old Glencoe Road, the Devil's Staircase and the Drove Road to Callert Ferry.
In autumn 2020, BBC Scotland's Landward programme caught up with ScotWays in and around Kinlochleven to talk about its 175 year history of upholding public access, and in particular its work signposting routes. This route also made an appearance, as well as the Devil's Staircase and the Coffin Road from Glen Etive by the Lairig Eilde.
