Fort William

As of May 2026, Fort William, Oban, Glencoe, Isle of Skye have 1,152 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Fort William generates £35K per year. High-performing properties earn £87K/year, while low-performing properties earn £17K/year. This wide disparity suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated in top-tier assets, as market-wide revenue has contracted by 17% despite a stable supply base.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Fort William. Average annual revenue is £35K with 43% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £87K/year. The gap between average and high earners underscores the impact of market-wide revenue compression, where only specific listings effectively navigate the current 43% occupancy ceiling.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Fort William is 43%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £223, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £62 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Fort William, with annual revenue of £62K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Fort William market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Fort William area. Fort William: Moderate. Licensing required under Scottish regulations, planning permission needed for change of use in some areas. Growing enforcement with council monitoring. Oban: Moderate. Licensing mandatory, planning consent for material change of use. Council actively reviewing applications, increasing scrutiny. Glencoe: Lenient. Licensing required but enforcement limited in rural Highland areas. Many operate with minimal oversight. Isle of Skye: Moderate-Strict. Licensing required, planning permission for change of use. Active enforcement due to overtourism concerns, council cracking down. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Fort William Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 17%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous drop in both supply and revenue suggests that host departures are not yet sufficient to offset the broader decline in per-listing earnings.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 1% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Fort William listings include: Tv (86%), Kitchen (84%), Heating (73%), Washing Machine (67%), Pets Allowed (54%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Washing Machine, Internet, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 84% more (£70K/year vs £38K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Fort William over the last 12 months: May: £3K, June: £3K, July: £3K, August: £2K, September: £2K, October: £2K, November: £954, December: £1K, January: £888, February: £1K, March: £1K, April: £3K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Fort William is £223, up 4% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £164/night, 2-bedroom properties average £215/night, 3-bedroom properties average £302/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £477/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in November.

Guests in Fort William book an average of 44 days in advance, down 28% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 42 days, 2-bedroom: 45 days, 3-bedroom: 46 days, 4+ bedroom: 51 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Fort William Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 5%, revenue per listing decreased 17%, occupancy fell 4%, average nightly rates increased 4%, and lead time decreased 28%. These metrics reveal a shift toward short-notice bookings, signaling that operators are facing increased pressure to maintain occupancy.

In Fort William, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 6% higher occupancy than weekdays.