Location type

Name and dates

Note: text in square brackets is added for clarity and was not part of the location's name.

Description

This was a three platform terminus alongside the seafront and steamer pier in Fort William. It was replaced by Fort William when the line was cut back in 1975. Nothing remains of the station and the site is now a dual carriageway. It is ironic that the townsfolk were disappointed the railway separated the town from the beach and now a substantial road does.

The station had a very fine building with an attractive entrance hall featuring a 'lunette' window over the entrance, which could seen seen from the entrance hall. A fine feature of the building was a crenellated tower on the seaward side of the building. Styling was different to the other stations of the line and were subtly contemporary. The platforms were canopied. Its loss is a great pity.

There was a signal box at the north end, on the east (land) side of the line, and there was a pedestrian level crossing alongside the box to the shoreline. The box opened with the line and closed when taken over by Mallaig Junction just before station closure.

The line approached the station from the north east, running along the reclaimed foreshore.

The railway continued past the station along the shore line to a headshunt Fort William Headshunt quite a distance to the south, roughly now the location of the town waterside car park, where there was a run round loop. This head shunt was cut back to closer to the station. The line terminated next to the southern of the two town piers.

Fort William Pier, where connecting steamers formerly called, still exists. It was at the south end of the building by the exit from the circulating area of the station. This pier was rebuilt and enlarged for the opening of the railway. The station courtyard, in addition to having the pier, was also where connecting buses would park.

Station Square also still exists, which led down to the station and pier from Gordon Square and the High Street.

Local

The 'Station Hotel', above the former station, is now the Highland Hotel .

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