film location
Neptune's Staircase, Banavie (Hogwarts Express route)
The eight-lock flight on the Caledonian Canal beside the West Highland Line, on the Jacobite steam train route toward Glenfinnan.
1 km · about 5 min drive
Photo by Sergey Konstantinov on Unsplash
EuropeUnited KingdomScotland
Caol
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Caol
Caol works well as a base: 1 hours from Oban, 15km from Loch Arkaig.
Caol is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 3,220, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Caol sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Caol to your route.
About Caol
Caol (Gaelic: An Caol) is a village near Fort William, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is about 1+1⁄4 miles (2 kilometres) north of Fort William town centre, on the shore of Loch Linnhe, and is within the parish of Kilmallie.
The name "Caol" is from the Gaelic for "narrow", in this case referring to theRead more
narrow water between Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil.
The Caledonian Canal passes by to the north-west of Caol near the rotator cuffs, and the Great Glen Way long-distance footpath passes through the village before it follows the canal towpath.
The village is largely residential, and has three primary schools, Caol Primary School; St Columba’s RC Primary School; and, for Scottish Gaelic-medium education, the Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, which has hosted the Lochaber Mòd since 2016. At Caol Primary School the Room 13 International project for art education was founded.
The local shinty team is Kilmallie Shinty Club, which plays at Canal Park in the west of Caol on the “Moominmamma” pitches.
Where to Stay in Caol
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Caol.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Caol.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Caol?
Caol offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
How do I plan a road trip to Caol?
Plan your road trip to Caol with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Caol as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Where is Caol located?
Caol is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 56.8372 latitude, -5.1006 longitude.
What is the population of Caol?
Caol has a population of approximately 3,220 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
Plan a Road Trip
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Caol as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripWhat's Nearby?
Discover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Caol. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 3,220
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Scotland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 56.8372, -5.1006
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Caol
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
film location
Glen Nevis (Braveheart Scottish camp)
The valley floor beneath Ben Nevis hosted Braveheart's Scottish camp and battle-eve scenes.
3 km · about 5 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Ben Nevis
Britain's highest mountain at 1,345 metres, offering a challenging ascent via the Mountain Track or world-class climbing on its dramatic north face.
7 km · about 15 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Glen Nevis
A lush glen beneath Ben Nevis with waterfalls and film locations, the road leading to the Highlands' highest peak.
9 km · about 15 min drive
film location
Glen Nevis and Steall Falls (Triwizard Tournament)
The floor of Glen Nevis beneath Britain's second-highest waterfall was the Quidditch pitch valley and Triwizard camp in Goblet of Fire.
9 km · about 15 min drive
waterfall
Steall Falls
Scotland's second-highest waterfall in a hidden Glen Nevis gorge, reached via a wire bridge and a Harry Potter filming site.
11 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Loch Arkaig
A remote 19km loch on a dead-end single-track road, associated with the Jacobite gold and now an osprey site.
15 km · about 30 min drive
film location
Glencoe (Hagrid's Hut site)
The glacial valley used extensively for Hogwarts grounds exteriors in Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire; Hagrid's hut set stood in Torren Lochan near Clachaig.
19 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Caol
7 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- Right hereBen NevisBritain's highest mountain at 1,345 metres, offering a challenging ascent via the Mountain Track or world-class climbing on its dramatic north face.
- Right hereGlen NevisA lush glen beneath Ben Nevis with waterfalls and film locations, the road leading to the Highlands' highest peak.
- 20 kmGlen CoeScotland's most famous and dramatic glen, a brooding landscape of towering peaks and the site of the infamous 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds.
- 20 kmA82 through GlencoeDramatic Scottish Highland road through the historic Glen Coe
- 20 kmThree Sisters of GlencoeThree towering ridges of Bidean nam Bian rising sheer from the valley, the iconic roadside viewpoint of Glen Coe.
- 20 kmA82 through Glencoe and Rannoch MoorOne of Europe's great scenic drives: the road sweeps across the empty Rannoch Moor then plunges between the Three Sisters into Glencoe.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Caol.
Plan a trip around Caol
Plan a Road Trip from Caol
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning