'Exciting progress' on Fort William hospital plans

An artist's impression of the new hospital

NHS Highland says plans for a new hospital in Fort William are progressing well.

The £137m building would replace the town's 60-year-old Belford Hospital, which is no longer fit for purpose.

A business case for the project is being developed and a video has just been made to illustrate what the new hospital will be like.

It is 10 years since land was bought for the development at Blar Mhor, near Caol, and there had been frustration among local people about delays.

Nurse director for NHS Highland, Louise Bussell, said good progress was being made on the business case for the project with their partner Balfour Beatty.

She said: "We had an event in Fort William last week where we presented and showcased the new video that shows a walk through of the hospital and what it will look like and what services we will be providing."

"It's really exciting and we are really looking forward to the next stage of progression."

Hundreds of people took part in a protest last March about the lack of progress.

However, the Scottish government allocated funding in its 2025-26 Budget for the project.

The masterplan for the new hospital was recently updated to increase the building's overall floor space.

NHS Highland said earlier this year that construction could potentially start in October 2027.