Home Report Fort William
Home reports are required by law in Scotland when it comes to selling a residential property. They are there to give buyers a solid reckoning of all the important details offering peace of mind for the buyer and the seller alike. With home reports, a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) regulated surveyor with a deep knowledge of the local area and a nearby office is essential criteria to provide a thorough and rigorous survey. If you’re selling in the Fort William area, then Shepherds Chartered Surveyors satisfies all criteria to deliver a comprehensive and trusted home report.
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors are the largest provider of home reports in Scotland. We are represented on all major lender’s panels and our knowledge of the market in Fort William, and wider Scottish Highlands is second to none. With many years of experience surveying locations across Scotland and a vast network of offices, we can guarantee an exceedingly high quality of service. You can be sure of speaking to an experienced Royal Institution regulated Chartered Surveyor who can provide you with a quote ahead of any commitment.
Buying in Fort William
Fort William is a major town in the Scottish Highlands on the shores of Loch Linnhe and in the shadow of Ben Nevis, with some 5,800 residents making it their home. It is the second largest settlement in the Scottish Highlands only behind the Highland capital of Inverness, which has a population of roughly 47,300 residents.
Throughout its history, Fort William has had different names. The earliest recorded settlement on the site is a Cromwellian wooden fort built in 1654 as a base for British troops to “pacify” Clan Cameron after the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688 the fort was named Fort William after William of Orange, who ordered that it be built to control the Highland clans. The settlement that grew around it was called Maryburgh, after his wife Mary II of England. This settlement was later renamed Gordonsburgh, and then Duncansburgh before being absorbed and renamed Fort William again, this time after Prince William, Duke of Cumberland; known to some Scots as “Butcher Cumberland”. Given these origins, there have been various suggestions over the years to rename the town (for example, to Invernevis).
Today, the Fort William name remains unchanged, but the town has a vastly more positive connotation as the Outdoor Capital of the UK, with a plethora of world class outdoor activities and sports practically on the town’s doorstep. As such, it is an extremely popular base for weekend breaks and holidays in the area and wider Highlands, as well as those seeking to climb Ben Nevis, which overlooks Fort William, so much so you can walk out of the town and straight up Ben Nevis. Another point of note is that Fort William marks the end of the West Highland Way.
Popular outdoor pursuits include hill walking, climbing, mountain biking, trail running and cycling, various water sports, nature watching, and a plethora of other activities all centred around the breathtaking land and scenery of the town and wider area. Just a few minutes from the town is Glen Nevis, one of Scotland’s most picturesque Highland glens. The glen is formed from the flank of Ben Nevis and two other mountains and has the River Nevis flowing through it. The Nevis Range ski, snowboard and mountain biking centre on Aonach Mor is one of the town’s major attractions. A gondola takes visitors 2,000 ft up the mountain for amazing views and access to the ski slopes. The centre also hosts the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in June every year. The Fort William Mountain Festival is held annually in a celebration of mountains and the culture that surrounds them, and in recognition of the importance of climbing and walking tourism to the town.
As if that wasn’t enough the town packs a punch for its size when it comes to other amenities like coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, and takeaways all catering for the influx of visitors throughout the year. There are also plenty of other local and independent businesses as well as your usual chain stores.
The influx of annual tourists and visitors means most of the town’s working population find themselves in the tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors. Many people in the nearby towns and villages travel into Fort William for work.
In terms of transport links, as you would expect the town is well served. The West Highland Railway Line passes through Fort William. Owing to the difficult terrain in the area, the line from Glasgow to the south enters from the northeast. There are numerous local bus services, and the town is also served by Citylink coach services allowing for travel from or to Fort William across Scotland. By road, Fort William is located on the A82 which is the main route for most in and out of the town. The Caledonian Canal connects the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast at Corpach near Fort William. The Camusnagaul Ferry crosses Loch Linnhe, connecting the A82 to A861.
As for local schooling, the local primary schools are Lundavra and Inverlochy Primary Schools. Lochaber High School is the local high school and serves a large catchment area that includes the surrounding villages. West Highland College is found in the town and is part of the University of the Highlands & Islands. It hosts the School of Adventure Studies (SOAS) offering both FE courses & HE honours degrees.
As of January 2024, property in Fort William stood at an average value of £217,919. Though different property types in Fort William have had different average selling prices over the last 12 months: £322,133 for detached properties, £208,257 for semi-detached, £181,800 for terraced, and £137,718 for flats.
Why Use Shepherd Chartered Surveyors?
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors are the largest provider of home reports in Scotland, with origins dating back to the 18th century. Fully regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, we can offer an in-depth knowledge of the Fort William property market that nobody else can.
If you’re looking for a home report in Fort William or the wider Highlands area, you’ll find the nearby Shepherds branch located at Mulberry House, First Floor, 39-41 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UA. We are available at our office to give you a quote at any time. Nobody can offer the same level of local market knowledge as Shepherd, our wealth of experience, proven industry expertise and vast network of offices stand testament to that.
Office Details
- Mulberry House, First Floor, 39-41 Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1UA
- Email: inverness@shepherd.co.uk
- Tel: 01463 712239
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 8.45am to 5.30pm
- Friday: 8.45am to 5pm
Request a Home Report for a Home in Fort William Today
Please get in touch for all enquiries regarding home reports in Dunoon. Shepherds will be happy to provide a free quote, or even just answer any important questions you may have. To find other offices please visit our branch list. If you request a quote a member of our team will respond within 24 hours.
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